Pärnu City Orchestra Academy
5.-18.09.2026
15–18 September 2026
Instrument: PIANO
Tutor: Prof. Arbo Valdma (Estonia/Germany)
Pärnu City Orchestra
Conductor: Jaan Ots
Application deadline: 5 July 2026
Pärnu Linnaorkester, Foto: Tõiv Jõul
The city of Pärnu has hosted a wide variety of music courses for decades, and Pärnu City Orchestra has been a loyal partner to several of them, including Sasha Mäkilä’s conducting courses, SUVEUNIversiteet, and the Järvi Academy.
Launched by Pärnu City Orchestra itself, the Pärnu City Orchestra Academy will take place for the first time from 15 to 18 September 2026. The Academy developed from the wish to offer young talents from across Estonia the opportunity, once a year, to perform as soloists with a symphony orchestra and, through the course preceding the concert, to take part in an inspiring exchange of ideas with both the course tutor and the conductor.
Each year, Pärnu City Orchestra Academy will focus on different instruments, thereby bringing new and exciting teachers to Pärnu on each occasion.
For the first Academy, Pärnu City Orchestra pays tribute to the distinguished piano teacher and Honorary Citizen of the City of Pärnu, Arbo Valdma, with whom the orchestra has enjoyed a continuous collaboration for more than 20 years. This time, the orchestra will be conducted by Jaan Ots, who is also known as an outstanding pianis.
Schedule
Tue 15 September 2026
- Individual lessons (75 min/participant)
- Q&A session with the conductor
Wed 16 September 2026
- Rehearsal with the orchestra
- Individual lessons (30 min/participant)
Thu 17 September 2026
- Rehearsal with the orchestra
- Individual lessons (30 min/participant)
Fri 18 September 2026
- Dress rehearsal and concert
Application
Pärnu City Orchestra Academy welcomes applications from all young musicians who have studied or are currently studying in Estonia. There is no lower or upper age limit.
Based on the video round, up to 6 young musicians will be selected to participate in the Academy.
The application deadline is 5 July 2026. The results will be announced on 3 August 2026.
To apply for the Pärnu City Orchestra Academy, please fill in the application form and include the following:
Up to 2 YouTube links to video recordings of the work(s) or movement(s) with which you are applying to participate in the Academy. Each video may be up to 20 minutes long.
If possible, please submit two different works or movements that you would be prepared to perform with the orchestra in concert. The final selection of works to be performed at the concert will be made by Pärnu City Orchestra. The maximum duration of each work or movement submitted for the application is 20 minutes.
Biography
Photo (jpg format; high resolution)
As Pärnu City Orchestra is a chamber-sized symphony orchestra, please apply only with works whose orchestration falls within the following limits: flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons — 2 French horns, 2 trumpets — timpani — strings.
In addition to the above, it is possible to include up to 3 additional players, for example 3 trombones or 2 French horns and 1 trombone.
Participation fee
€350
Pärnu City Orchestra Academy does not cover participants’ travel or accommodation costs.
Selected participants are kindly asked to pay the participation fee to the following bank account:
Pärnu Linnavalitsus
IBAN: EE631010902001628003
Payment details: PLO Academy, candidate’s name (if the payment is made by another person)