The First Chair Academy is a revolutionary and inspiring new initiative, conceived around core values which aim to nurture, encourage, and develop the high levels of musical excellence and leadership skills demanded of the orchestra leaders of the future.
The First Chair Academy gathers a team of prominent orchestra leaders, conductors, musicologists, motivational trainers and scholars, led by Igor Gruppman to inspire the next generation of orchestra leaders.
Our Specialist team of dedicated international experts have created unique pedagogical programmes, offering a diverse approach to education, mentorship, coaching, peer supervision and performance.
The FCA aims to select and bring together talented young musicians from around the world, enabling their participation in its international programs, which are supported by the most renowned artists of today.
The primary objectives of FCA are as follows:
· To discover and develop the orchestral leaders of tomorrow.
· To select and bring together talented young musicians from around the world into an international curriculum, supported by the most renowned artists of today.
· To inspire peace, prosperity, and international understanding through music.
· To foster opportunities for learning, networking, dialogue, and bridge-building through musical excellence, in partnership with the world’s leading educational institutions and centres of artistic excellence.
CONDUCTOR
FORMER CONCERTMASTER OF ROTTERDAM PHILHARMONIC AND LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
PROFESSOR OF VIOLIN OF BARCELONA AN DROTTERDAM CONCERVATORIES
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND CONCERTMASTER OF THESSALONIKI STATE ORCHESTRA
GRAMMY WINNING RECORD PRODUCER
PRINCIPAL CELLIST OF ROTTERDAM PHILHARMONIC
PRINCIPAL FLUTIST AT THE GREEK NATIONAL OPERA
In 2023, the inaugural First Chair Academy course takes place in the beautiful city of Thessaloniki, Greece. During this week-long intensive session, our activities and concerts will take place in the architecturally and acoustically acclaimed Thessaloniki Concert Hall.
July 15 until July 21 2023
The application deadline is June 30th.
The FCA Faculty and alumni will work on this occasion with the Megaro Youth Symphony Orchestra – MOYSA was founded by Thessaloniki Concert Hall with the support of Stavros Niarchos Foundation in March 2015. It is a community of aspiring and ambitious young musicians from Thessaloniki, northern Greece and from other regions in the country. Today, the Orchestra numbers more than 80 members, from 8 to 25 years old. Its mission is to further educate its members in orchestral art and other related sectors, to support their artistic development via international collaborations and to raise social awareness through music.
The 7-day Festival Activities
During these 7-day modules, a small group of selected participants in all string instruments will have a chance to lead the orchestra and its string sections in rehearsals and concerts, and to receive additional training (both on and off stage) focusing upon the function and responsibilities of the Concertmaster and other Principal string player roles.
All academy participants (including playing members of the orchestra) will be invited to take part in stimulating group discussions and to attend all scheduled presentations and activities.
Daily activities including peer to peer coaching, sectional rehearsals, orchestra rehearsal, lectures, concerts and many more exciting surprises!