Hallé
Our Professional Experience Scheme with the Hallé introduces students to professional orchestral life by giving them an opportunity to workshop, rehearse and perform with the orchestra.
All wind and brass students who apply are given an audition in the Autumn term in front of a panel of Hallé musicians. Successful applicants are then selected to participate in invaluable side-by-side workshops with full orchestra sections, where they will explore a range of core orchestral repertoire and receive constructive feedback, advice and direction on their playing.
This extended contact time with such a large number of professional players is an important aspect of the scheme, providing a large group of students the opportunity to develop their orchestral playing skills as part of a section.
After the second workshop a smaller selection of students will be offered up to two levels of Hallé placement experience:
- STAGE 1: Playing in a rehearsal or rehearsals
- STAGE 2: Performing one item (normally an overture or concerto piece) in a Hallé concert at The Bridgewater Hall
Although all successful students will be involved in Stage 1, it is anticipated that a much smaller number will be offered the opportunity at Stage 2. The ultimate aim for each student is to perform well enough to be added to the Hallé’s list of extra players.
The RNCM is proud of its longstanding collaboration with the Hallé. Complementing this scheme for wind and brass students, the RNCM has also provided string students an opportunity to play side-by-side with Hallé players in an orchestra made up of 50% Hallé and 50% RNCM.
This has previously involved string students from the Hallé String Leadership Scheme performing as soloists with the joint orchestra, working with Sir Mark Elder (Music Director of the Hallé and the RNCM’s International Chair of Conducting). This large-scale collaboration is testament to the close and productive working relationship between the two institutions.
