Any experience in period instrument playing?
Interested in ensemble playing as well as the large scale orchestra?
Ready for a new artistic development?
Keen on discovering the firmament of the musical sector?

If so, follow the new star that rises in 2025:

The new career training programme by Balthasar Neumann
for strings, woodwinds, horn, trumpet & percussion

With Balthasar NOVA, we offer young professional musicians from all over Europe the opportunity to develop as independent musicians in a profound, resilient, and future- oriented way. NOVA is a career training programme, specialized in period instrument playing for musicians who share our perception of music as a source of storytelling. It is designed for musicians who want to know what they play and why. Programme participants (“NOVIs”) will explore the meaning of each work through the lens of authentic and historically informed performance practice.

We, the Balthasar Neumann Orchestra (BNO), formed 1995 in Freiburg by Thomas Hengelbrock, are one of the world’s leading historically informed orchestras. We create free spaces for radical interpretations and outstanding artistic experiences. To ensure that passion, knowledge and enthusiasm are carried forward to the next generation, we train gifted young musicians. With support from the European Union, we have now founded the first long-term academy programme for period instrument playing: Balthasar NOVA.

WHAT IS PLANNED?

Projects and courses:

• 14. – 21.05.25: Fontainebleau Castle (France) – all NOVIs
• 21. – 28.06.25: Maulbronn Monastery (Germany) – strings + trp + timp
• 20. – 26.07.25: Fontainebleau Castle (France) – winds
• Summer 25:  tbc – individual workshop/masterclass for trumpets and timpani/percussion
• 08. – 15.09.25: Hamburg (Germany) – strings
• 15. – 21.09.25: Freiburg (Germany) – winds
• 16. – 23.11.25: Baden-Baden (Germany) – all NOVIs
• Jan – Aug 2026: Dates for projects in Germany, Spain, France and Cuba will be announced.

Teaching and workshops:

From March 2025 until August 2026, monthly individual online teaching and online workshops are held whenever no course/project takes place. In addition, 8 Salons will be planned and organized in individual agreement with the NOVIs and external experts. 

WHO ARE THE TUTORS AND MENTORS?

Tutors and Mentors are members of the Balthasar Neumann Orchestra and long-standing external tutors of the Balthasar Neumann Academy. All names will be announced until the start of the programme. The workshops will be held by external specialists of the respective fields, the Salons will be organized and developed by NOVIs together with external experts.

WHAT WILL BE PAID?

For onsite activities (courses, projects, workshops), 150,00 Euro per day plus accommodation and travel costs will be paid.

FOR WHOM IS THE CALL OPEN?

If you are  

• a young professional with outstanding musical qualities, joy of making music, and the courage to discover
• experienced in period instrument playing
• not older than 30 years (born 1/11/94 or later)
• playing a string instrument, traverso/flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet or timpani/percussion and 
• European based (EU citizen, EU resident or student in an EU country) 

you are warmly invited to apply.

HOW ARE THE AUDITIONS HELD?

Round 1 will be held online (video); rounds 2 & 3 will be held onsite in various European cities:

• Athens: 19.01.2025 (strings + winds) // 20.01.2025 (winds + brass)
• Paris : 23.01.2025 (winds + brass) // 03.02.2025 (strings + winds) // 04.02.2025 (strings)
• Hamburg: 24.01.2025 (winds + brass) // 25.01.2025 (strings + winds)
• Helsinki: 27.01.2025 (strings + winds + brass) // 28.01.2025 (strings + winds + brass)
• Freiburg: 28.01.2025 (winds + brass) // 02.02.2025 (strings)
• Vienna: 05.02.2025 (strings) // 06.02.2025 (strings + winds + brass)

Percussion auditions will be offered in some of the mentioned cities above depending on the applicant’s choice.

Please apply before December 1^st via muvac or email () with:

• a link to the video(s) with the required repertoire

• a motivation letter (of about half a written page)

• your CV, referring also your experience in period instrument playing

• your full contact (name, address, email, mobile number, birthday, address/university/etc. to show in which way you are European based)

• your preferred city for the live audition (2^nd + 3^rd round) and two alternative options.

Detailed information regarding the repertoire and the video requirements can be found here.

FAQ

Requirements

• What does “experienced in period instrument playing” mean?
  • You have first experience in period instrument playing and a deep interest in it – or – you are a student / have finished your master in period instrument playing. NOVA will assist you to do the first step into professionalization of period instrument playing.
• I am a student living in Europe, but I am not a European citizen. Can I still apply?
  • Yes, you can apply if you will have a valid working or student permit until 07/26.
• I am not available for one or more of the programme periods above. Can I apply? 
  • Yes, you can apply, but please mention clearly in your application which periods are not possible for you and why!
• What if I get a position during the programme?
  • Since NOVA is a career training programme for students in the end of their studies/after their studies, it is understandable if you get a position during the programme. In this case, we will discuss together what options are available and how to proceed.

Video

• I don’t have access to high-quality recording equipment. Will this affect the chances of my online application?
  • As long as your musical skills and your instrument can be heard, this will not affect your chances. Please make sure to present youself in the best possible way.
• Does my video application needs to be accompanied?
  • If the presented repertoire requires other instruments, they are also needed in the video (piano accompaniment for solo concerts is of course acceptable). Exception: orchestral parts. Please play them without any accompaniment/other instruments.
• Can each piece in my application be recorded in a separate take or does the whole audition video need to be recorded in one setting?
  • If you have to change the instrument, it is possible to start a new take. If you present several pieces on the same instrument, please send this in one uncut video. Please make no extra take for orchestral parts if they are played on the same instrument as a presented concert/sonata.

Audition process

• How do you make your decision?
  • A jury, composed by members of the Balthasar Neumann Orchestra and the tutor’s team of Balthasar NOVA, will make the selection for the audition rounds.
• When do I get the information if I can attend round 2?
  • We will send out the information before Christmas.
• When/where is round 3 organized?
  • If you are invited to attend round 3, it will take place on the same day and in the same city as round 2.
• I am not free on the dates of the live auditions. Does that mean that I can’t apply?
  • You can apply, but please let us know your reasons. We can still try to find an individual solution.
• Do I get travel costs for the audition reimbursed?
  • Unfortunately, the expenses for the audition cannot be reimbursed.

Instruments

• Can I apply if I do not have my own period instrument?
  • Yes, you can apply, but you need to organize your own instruments. Besides timpani and percussion, we will not provide any instruments.
• Which kind of instruments do I need for the programme?
  • You need baroque/classical/romantic instruments depending on the different projects and courses. String players also need period instruments; only gut strings and a period bow is not sufficient for the programme (different than for the audition).