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All students who are studying their instrument at a German-speaking conservatory and are between the ages of 18 and 26.

We hold auditions in Frankfurt for each instrument 1–2 times a year. These take place in May–July and November–December. The dates will be posted here. If you don’t want to miss anything, sign up for our newsletter.

Our Probe_Spiel is modeled after the audition process of professional orchestras. In the first round, you’ll perform anonymously behind a curtain. The second round typically consists of orchestral pieces with piano accompaniment. In the final round, you’ll perform chamber music with members of the Junge Deutsche Philharmonie.

After each round, participants who have been eliminated will have the opportunity to receive constructive feedback from the judges.

The winners will be notified immediately after the final round and will receive a folder containing all important information about our orchestra, our work processes, and upcoming projects.

The jury consists of group representatives and members of the respective instrumental group, as well as at least one member of the board. Experienced advisors from professional orchestras or universities always participate in an advisory capacity.

After each round, participants who have been eliminated have the opportunity to receive constructive feedback from the judges. You’re welcome to sign up for the Probe_Spiel again; these events take place about twice a year.

Congratulations! The winners will be notified immediately after the final round concludes and will receive a packet containing all the important information about our orchestra, our work processes, and upcoming projects. You will be accepted into the orchestra as a “probationary member” and can sign up for projects with your respective group representatives. After successfully completing your first work phase, you will become an official member of the Junge Deutsche Philharmonie.

You may remain a member of the Junge Deutsche Philharmonie until you turn 29 or until you have completed the probationary period for a permanent position with a professional orchestra. On average, members stay with us for about 4 years. It is important that you participate in at least 2 projects per year to maintain your membership status.

You can find the required repertoire here (to be published once the dates are announced). Feel free to prepare for the orchestral parts as well; these are often underestimated. Even though an audition is always nerve-wracking, we make a point of fostering a welcoming, friendly, and fair atmosphere.

You can contact our office at any time if you have questions about the admissions process.

The Junge Deutsche Philharmonie will reimburse a portion of travel expenses upon presentation of original receipts on the respective audition day. Certain maximum amounts apply depending on the university where you are studying. Drivers must provide a gas receipt. Only one reimbursement amount can be paid per vehicle.
Due to their proximity to Frankfurt, no reimbursement is available for students at the following universities: Karlsruhe, Mannheim, Mainz, Würzburg, Darmstadt, and, of course, Frankfurt.

Your benefits as a member of the Junge Deutsche Philharmonie include:

• Performance experience in the orchestra and in chamber music projects
• Concerts in renowned concert halls in Germany, Europe and internationally
• A boost to your training: coaching in section rehearsals and extensive rehearsal work with experienced professionals
• Collaboration on equal footing with internationally renowned conductors and soloists
• Regular workshops - both musical and non-musical
• Advice and support from the experienced team at the administrative office
• Democratic participation in committees such as general membership meetings, the board of directors, and the program committee, as well as serving as a group spokesperson or university delegate
• All travel, lodging, and full board expenses covered during rehearsals and on tour
• Free insurance for your instrument
• Certificate of completion listing all projects and your participation
• Unforgettable experiences on stage
• And you’ll become part of an amazing community!
  

The top priority is the musical work itself. During concert tours, the young musicians rehearse the pieces they’ll perform with professional instructors who, as professional musicians, already have extensive experience in major orchestras or teach at universities. After all, the primary goal is to perform concerts at the highest artistic level.

As a new initiative, the Junge Deutsche Philharmonie gives the individual sections the opportunity once a year to organize a workshop of their own choosing. The sections decide for themselves what they want to work on musically - whether it’s ensemble playing, performance techniques in contemporary music, or expanding their repertoire.

In addition to artistic and technical skills, personality is also important for all artists. Stage presence, respectful communication, conflict resolution, and mindfulness regarding one’s own physical and mental health are some of the topics that are part of every training program. Young musicians are often left to deal with these issues on their own. This is where the Junge Deutsche Philharmonie aims to step in with the right approaches.

In addition, there are a number of practical questions that every musician must ask themselves. How do I write an invoice? How do I report my income for tax purposes? How do I market myself on social media? What rights do I have as an employee of an orchestra? These topics are covered in 90-minute online workshops led by experts. The Junge Deutsche Philharmonie leverages the opportunities offered by digital exchange to reach its members, who live throughout Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

With this program, the Junge Deutsche Philharmonie reinforces its role as a community where professional growth is shaped collaboratively. It enables free development outside of traditional university formats. Members choose their own learning goals and freely select instructors. They share their knowledge and skills with others - because together, we make progress.