Philharmonia Instrumental Fellowship 2025/26 FAQ

What’s new? 

• For Strings, Woodwind, and Brass, we will now expect audio audition submissions to be made at the same time of the application. This means that the only waiting period is to hear if you are to progress to the second round. For Percussion, Timpani and Harp, we will notify you of first and second round dates once we have confirmed your eligibility for the programme. 
• There’s an equality and diversity monitoring form that needs to be filled in alongside the application form. 
• First round audition rep (plus second round for Percussion, Timpani, Harp and Piano) will be available all year round, being updated in November of each year.* 
• The 2025/26 programme will only offer Fellowships for Strings, Brass, Woodwind Percussion, Timpani, and Harp. 
• Percussion and Timpani will have an earlier submission deadline of Friday 28 February. 

*There have been some recent updates to the rep, so please check the packs carefully. Any further updates will be notified to specific applicants ahead of audition dates. 

Are Piano, Harp and Timpani still on a break? 

Timpani and Harp Fellowship places are open for the 2025/26 cohort. Piano will be on a break for this year and will reopen in 2026. 

How many Fellowships across instruments are available? 

The 2025/26 cohort will have 12 Fellowship places: 

2 Violin 

1 Viola 

1 Cello 

1 Double Bass 

1 Harp 

2 Brass 

2 Woodwind 

1 Percussion 

1 Timpani 

Will all the Fellowships run for two years? 

No, all Fellowships being offered are for one year only, however, we are extending the range of activities instrumental fellows can engage with, both before and after the programme.  

I applied last year, am I able to apply again? 

Yes, of course. We welcome submissions from applicants new and returning. 

Can I do the Fellowship programme online? 

No, the Fellowship is a programme that really benefits from in-person interaction as you will have a mentor, coaching sessions, and opportunities to perform in recitals, Learning and Engagement projects, as well as some concerts (if applicable). 

If I live abroad, am I still eligible to apply? 

Maybe. If you currently reside and/or are from overseas, you will need to demonstrate that you are still in education and will be for the duration of the Fellowship with a valid visa (if applicable). If you are not studying, then you will need to demonstrate that you have the right to remain in the UK throughout the Fellowship. 

The Philharmonia is not able to cover the cost of overseas travel for auditions or beyond into the Fellowship. 

How do I know if my visa is valid? 

If you are in the UK on a Tier 4 student visa, you are responsible for ensuring that you comply with the terms of your visa i.e. you are still in education and will be for the duration of the Fellowship. 

If you are not a British citizen, you will need to demonstrate that you have the right to remain in the UK throughout the Fellowship. 

Are all the auditions in-person? 

All second round auditions are in-person. 

It is usual for the sections of Strings, Woodwind and Brass to have first round audio auditions. 

The sections of Harp, Percussion and Timpani have both in-person first (screened) and second round auditions, and this will usually take place over one day. 

If I am applying for Strings will I submit an audio audition in the application form? 

Yes, but we need it to be a video. If you are applying for Strings, Woodwind and Brass you must submit a video of your audition. This will need to be anonymised. We will transfer this to an audio piece. 

These are the formats supported by the form mp4, mov, wmv, and avi. For more information, please download the Digital Audition Advice here. 

Are the in-person auditions screened?  

In-person first round auditions for Piano, Harp, Percussion and Timpani are always physically screened. 

For Brass, Woodwind and Strings are blind screened (we remove the video image for first round and only share the audio with panelists) 

All second round auditions are in-person and are not screened.  

What if I am on another programme, will I still be able to do the Fellowship? 

We don’t believe that you can access the full benefit of any fellowship programme, if you are on more than one. If you are offered another place elsewhere, you will need to make a choice. We will not accept anyone who is on a similar programme elsewhere. 

How will I know if my application has been received? 

Once you have submitted your EDI form feedback, you will receive an email.  

If your application is incomplete, you will also be notified. 

When will I hear of the outcome? 

Percussion and Timpani applicants will receive their outcome on Friday 28 February, as their auditions take place on Monday 3 March. 

All other applicants will receive their outcome by Friday 14 March. 

If I’ve sent in an audio submission for first round will I receive detailed feedback? 

We regret that we are unable to provide detailed feedback at this stage due to volume of applications we receive. Detailed feedback is provided at the second round stage.  

What is the timeline for the applications and the programme? 

Please note that this timeline is subject to change. We will endeavour to provide updates on any changes to the timeline as soon as possible.