Portuguese Fundação Orquestra Estúdio (FOE) has just opened registrations for young musicians who are citizens of any of the twenty-seven countries of the European Union. The registration period ends on the 25th of June 2011. Fundação Orquestra Estúdio is a symphony orchestra composed by 83 musicians, which will constitute the axis of the whole classical music programming of the European Capital of Culture - Guimaraes 2012.

This is an innovative artistic project, ought to assimilate and reflect the Zeitgeist, meet the tastes of an urban audience, as well as to attract and retain new audiences. The Orchestra will be up to interpret any of the great symphonic works of music history from the Baroque period until the latest musical languages, either in the vanguard or fusion of different  genres.

Under the direction of Maestro Rui Massena, the FOE will perform the pieces commissioned to both domestic and foreign composers, establishing links with other forms of artistic expression. In addition to the symphonic activity, it will ensure an intense chamber music programme specifically oriented to new audiences, for whom erudite music concerts is not so familiar. The Orchestra's lineup will be divided in 13 chamber music ensembles, which will present 7 recitals each month in unusual places, across the 69 parishes of the municipality.

The Orchestra will start on the 1st of December 2011, providing each musician the opportunity for musical development in a professional platform of high artistic standard, under the direction of renowned artists, both at national and international level. The residence in the city during the project's life span by those musicians will provide the local community a daily contact with the artists; for those ones, it will be an opportunity to experience a remarkable event such as an European Capital of Culture.


Recruitment
Currently, there are 72 vacancies available: 1 head of first violin section; 12 first violins tutti; 11 second violins tutti; 9 violas tutti; 7 cellos tutti; 5 double basses tutti; 2 flutes; 3 oboes; 3 clarinets; 3 bassoons; 5 horns; 3 trumpets; 3 trombones; 1 tuba; 1 harp; 3 percussionists, including one timpanist.

The selection process will take place in two phases: the first phase will consist of an evaluation of a recording, submitted via video, and an analysis of the candidate's Curriculum Vitae; the second phase will consist of an in-person audition in the city of Guimarães before a jury, to be followed by an interview.

Here is registration form and rules.

http://www.guimaraes2012.pt/