Do you dream of composing or performing in a professional orchestra?
Through our exclusive partnership with the BBC Concert Orchestra, you can make this a reality.
Collaborate with professional performers, gain invaluable one-to-one feedback and learn from world-class talent.
What is the partnership?
Students from the University of Nottingham (UoN) and Nottingham Trent University (NTU) have been working with the BBC Concert Orchestra and the Theatre Royal Concert Hall.
The partnership aims to:
- give students access to a world-class performing and recording orchestra
- offer exciting new opportunities for research and collaboration
- develop and enhance the cultural life of Nottingham
This is a three-year partnership, which began in September 2023.
So far, students have taken part in rehearsals, side-by-side playing, showcases, school trips, performances, recordings, receptions, and talks.
It’s such an opportunity to work with professional musicians at the top of the game. I’ve loved it and I know that anyone else will as well.
Paul Emmett
Music student
Music student receiving feedback from BBC Orchestra composer George Fenton.
Upcoming activities
There are a whole range of exciting opportunities to get involved with in 2025 and 2026. These include:
- Specialist talks and masterclasses with orchestral players, management and special guests
- Opportunities to have compositions performed and recorded by BBC Concert Orchestra
- Observing the BBC Concert Orchestra rehearsals
- Mentorship by BBC Concert Orchestra personnel
- Opportunities for side-by-side playing
- UoN student film compositions for new films by NTU students will be performed by BBC Concert Orchestra players, as part of the Nottingham Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall's 'Soundstage' Festival in March 2025
Hear from past participants
BBC Concert Orchestra Partnership
Having George Fenton and Ben Palmer give me feedback about my work was amazing, because I got to really improve as a composer.
Savannah Semple-Sepiso
Music student
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