MPerf in Performance (Guildhall Artist Masters): Orchestral Artistry

Guildhall School of Music & Drama

Orchestral Artistry is an exciting professional specialism for advanced Bowed Strings, Wind, Brass or Percussion instrumentalists seeking a career in orchestral playing, delivered in association with one of the world’s leading orchestras, the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO).

About the MMus/MPerf programme in Orchestral Artistry

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) 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.

Programme Focus & Opportunities

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 repertoire sessions)

Professional audition preparation and practice, with feedback

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.

Shadowing LSO players in LSO Discovery workshops (education & community programme)

Professional development sessions: developing knowledge and understanding of the orchestral ecosystem and its protocols