MCO Academy //

The MCO Academy NRW is a program of regularly scheduled education and training projects for young professional musicians created in the context of the MCO Residence in NRW. The project is a collaboration with the Orchesterzentrum|NRW, a joint enterprise of the four conservatories of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The Orchesterzentrum|NRW offers a degree in orchestral performance which prepares qualified young musicians for an orchestral career through specialised practical training. MCO musicians serve as mentors in this program, supporting the work of the Orchesterzentrum|NRW on three different levels:

MCO Academy NRW – Workshops and Instruction at the Orchesterzentrum|NRW
Musicians of the MCO offer workshops for students of their instrument group. As guest lecturers, they help simulate audition situations and give individual and group instruction.

MCO Academy NRW – Concerts
A joint concert takes place once a year, in which selected students gain experience performing with internationally renowned conductors. Students are selected by a jury of orchestra members from each section through an audition process prior to the project.

MCO Academy NRW – Scholarships
Particularly talented students are offered further practical orchestral experience through scholarships which give them the chance to play with the MCO on selected concert tours, also outside of NRW. With these scholarships, the MCO-Stiftung (MCO Foundation) makes it possible for students to gain essential professional orchestral experience, and also provides financial support for the students' studies.

Alongside these programs in professional musical training, the MCO also plans other outreach projects in cooperation with the concert venues, including open rehearsals, workshops for school groups and adults on concert repertoire or dramatic interpretation.