MMus/MPerf in Performance (Guildhall Artist Masters): Orchestral Artistry

About the programme

Orchestral Artistry is an exciting professional specialism for advanced instrumentalists seeking a career in orchestral playing. Part of the Guildhall Artist Masters programme and delivered in association with one of the world’s leading orchestras, the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), one of the world’s leading orchestras, it offers a course of study which is both highly distinctive and ground-breaking in scope, in a context akin to a professional environment.

Students take part in orchestral repertoire training, audition preparation and practice and coaching sessions with LSO players, as well as LSO rehearsal sit-ins, masterclasses and education and community projects.

The London Symphony Orchestra

Orchestral Artistry is delivered in association with the London Symphony Orchestra, Resident Orchestra at the Barbican in London where it performs around 70 concerts a year, alongside extensive international touring. Widely acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, the LSO has an enviable family of artists, with conductors including Sir Simon Rattle as Music Director, Gianandrea Noseda and François-Xavier Roth as Principal Guest Conductors and Michael Tilson Thomas as Conductor Laureate. Pierre Boulez famously described the orchestra as ‘an ensemble of possibilities’ – and Orchestral Artistry embodies this challenge. The programme focuses on orchestral training, education and outreach and early career support for the orchestral players of the future.

We value an entrepreneurial attitude to the arts; not only will you master your craft, you will acquire the skills, knowledge and capabilities you need to become a high-achieving 21st century performing artist. LSO players share their knowledge and experience with the next generation of gifted orchestral musicians; and students gain confidence and a detailed understanding of what’s required at the highest level of the profession.

The programme

The programme focuses on orchestral training and repertoire, education and outreach, and early career support. Individual lessons are led by Guildhall School’s professors, some of whom are LSO players. Students receive regular coaching in orchestral sectionals, audition experience, and instrumental classes.

• Intensive orchestral repertoire training: full orchestra, sectionals and single-instrument classes from Guildhall professors and a variety of LSO players (with opportunities to play side-by-side with LSO players in Orchestral Artistry rehearsals)
• Audition preparation and practice
• LSO rehearsal sit-ins (either listening within, or playing, alongside the section)
• Occasional LSO performance opportunities with LSO Discovery, including at the Barbican and in Trafalgar Square
• Masterclasses, Q&A sessions and coaching, either as an observer or a performer, with a variety of LSO players, guest soloists and conductors.
• There are also masterclasses from LSO players, international soloists and members of Barbican's visiting orchestras and ensembles such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic (International Orchestra Partner), Australian Chamber Orchestra (International Associate Ensemble at Milton Court) and Jazz at Lincoln Center (International Associate Ensemble).

Performance opportunities

Performance opportunities embrace a variety of orchestral contexts, including symphony orchestra concerts at the Barbican, and the opera orchestra for productions by the School’s acclaimed Opera Department. Additionally, Orchestral Artistry students will have occasional opportunities to perform in LSO Discovery concerts and the annual Trafalgar Square concert.