Philharmonia Instrumental Fellowship Programme
Our long-running programme supports young orchestral musicians at the start of their career.
The Philharmonia Instrumental Fellowship Programme (formerly the Martin Musical Scholarship Fund) has supported young musicians since 1968. Over the years, donors and supporters have provided funding to enable exceptionally talented instrumentalists to bridge the difficult gap between their studies and entering the profession.
“The Fellows have wonderful mentors from the Orchestra and receive regular coaching from them, with an emphasis on orchestral repertoire. This has given us the chance to gain in-depth knowledge on orchestral music, beyond the more soloist-oriented focus of typical instrument teaching.”
Yaroslava Trofymchuk, Cello Fellow 2016-18 and current member
of the Philharmonia Orchestra
Meet our Instrumental Fellows
About the programme
The Fellowship offers an extensive range of training opportunities for young musicians who aspire to become professional orchestral musicians. Aspects of the programme include:
- Coaching and mentoring from a member of the Orchestra
- Recital opportunities in professional arts venues across the UK
- CPD workshops (Continuing Professional Development)
- Paid Learning & Engagement project work
- Behind the scenes access to observe the Orchestra in rehearsals
- Potential paid patches with the Orchestra
To find out more about applying for the Philharmonia Instrumental Fellowship Programme, please refer to the guidelines below. Alternatively, please email emergingartists@philharmonia.co.uk.
Information for applicants
We want to invest in talented instrumentalists who are pursuing an orchestral career. To be eligible for the Philharmonia’s Instrumental Fellowship Programme, you must be able to demonstrate in your application an interest in an orchestral career, and some experience of working in an orchestral setting.
We want to support artists who have the potential to build a sustainable professional career and you will be asked to describe how the Fellowship would make a significant difference to you. You should consider the impact the Fellowship would make to both your creative development and long-term career aims. Philharmonia is dedicated to diversifying our audiences, programmes and staff. We welcome and encourage applicants from communities that are currently underrepresented in orchestras. We actively invite applicants to declare their underrepresented characteristics on their application form.
The Fellowship is a one- or two-year scheme, depending on instrument type. The panel will review all submitted information and will be asked to consider:
- Your artistic achievements to date and the impact you are currently making in your studies and work
- The impact a Fellowship would have for you as a prospective orchestral musician
- How/if Philharmonia Orchestra/Philharmonia mentors can work with you to develop as an orchestral musician
Philharmonia Instrumental Fellowship Alumni
We have been supporting Fellows for over 60 years and are delighted to now launch an alumni programme – a network of instrumental talent.
The Philharmonia Instrumental Fellowship Programme (formerly the Martin Musical Scholarship Fund – MMSF) has supported young musicians since 1968. Over the years, donors and supporters have provided funding to enable exceptionally talented instrumentalists to bridge the difficult gap between their studies and entering the profession.
While our fellowship is the first step toward a professional orchestral career, we are thrilled to launch our Alumni programme to support the second, third and many other steps in our former fellows’ musical journey.
If you are a former MMSF Fellow we would be delighted to welcome you into our Alumni community.
Graduating from the Fellowship doesn’t mean that the experience is over!
Partners & supporters
The Philharmonia Instrumental Fellowship Programme is supported by The Sidney Perry Foundation.
