Cooperation with the Royal Academy of Music

At this week’s Czech Philharmonic subscription concerts, eight students from London’s Royal Academy of Music will be in the orchestra for phase one of a two-year exchange project between the two institutions supported by Mr Michael Hermann’s Gage Foundation.

The Czech Philharmonic began cooperating with the Royal Academy of Music in 2019. Czech Philharmonic chief conductor Semyon Bychkov, who teaches conducting at the Royal Academy of Music and works with its student orchestra, took the initiative in establishing the cooperation. In past years, Czech Philharmonic players have travelled to teach students at the academy. The new programme focuses on education and cultural exchange between members of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestral Academy and students at the Royal Academy of Music and offers a chance to access a new musical environment, make contacts, and acquire valuable experience for beginning a professional musical career. During the two-year pilot programme, eight students from the Royal Academy of Music are being sent to Prague, then a year later, eight members of the Czech Philharmonic’s Orchestral Academy will go to London to receive individual instruction, take part in an orchestral project, and participate in Royal Academy of Music masterclasses.

The Royal Academy of Music, founded in 1822, is one of the oldest music schools in the UK. Famous graduates include Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Harrison Birtwistle, Sir Elton John, and Annie Lennox. The Royal Academy of Music provides training in the fields of instrumental performance, composition, jazz, musical theatre, and opera. There are students from more than 50 countries.