Publikums­orchester

INFORMATION

• The Publikumsorchester (Audience Orchestra) is an Elbphilharmonie Hamburg project in cooperation with the Hamburger Konservatorium. The artistic director is Michael Petermann, co-director of the Hamburger Konservatorium. Together with the section leaders and the Elbphilharmonie’s project manager, the artistic director selects participants for the Audience Orchestra for the upcoming rehearsal phase. Following participation in the half-year rehearsal phase, the respective orchestral section makes a final decision on the participant’s membership in the orchestra.
• Two rehearsal periods will be announced per year.
• First spring rehearsal date: Wednesday, 4 February 2026
• Rehearsal day & time: every Wednesday, 19:15–21:45 in the Kaistudios (Elbphilharmonie). There are no rehearsals during the Hamburg school holidays.
• Rehearsal weekend: 17–19 April 2026 at Nordkolleg Rendsburg. Travel, accommodation and meal costs are to be covered by the participants themselves.
• Concerts: 13 June 2026 Insight Orchestra, 14 June 2026 Concert Kulturpalast Billstedt | 20 June 2026 Elbphilharmonie Grand Hall
• Monthly participation fee: at least €10. The Hamburger Konservatorium can issue a donation receipt for any amount in excess of this (pay as you can).
• Open positions: violin, viola, double bass
• The next live auditions take place on 28 January 2026. String players are grouped together, while wind players play together with participants from the respective orchestral section. Invitations will be sent out from 13 January 2026.
• As a general rule, participants bring and use their own musical instrument. Double basses, percussion and harps can be provided.
• Up-to-date information will be published at www.elbphilharmonie.de/en/experience.

TERMS & CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION

• Travel, accomodation and meal expenses (e.g. during rehearsal weekend) cannot be reimbursed.
• Participation is at the participant’s own risk.
• Registration can be completed online at www.elbphilharmonie.de/en/experience
• Participants require intermediate instrumental skills, orchestral experience and the ability to read music to take part in the Audience Orchestra.
• Participants are selected via video (pre-selection) and live audition. The selection is solely at the discretion of the artistic director and the section leaders. Their selection is final.
• By participating in a rehearsal period, you agree to attend rehearsals and concerts on a regular basis.
• Photos and/or audio and/or video recordings may be produced in the course of the project. The Promoter has the right to publish these images/recordings to document and advertise the Elbphilharmonie and Laeiszhalle programme (including on social media). Participants should expressly inform the Promoter if they do not agree to this.
• Participants are prohibited from taking photos and making audio and video recordings during the project/event, and from publishing any such content on social media. The Promoter may grant permission upon request.
• It should be specifically noted that the copying of sheet music and scores is not permitted under German law.
• By registering, all conditions of participation are automatically accepted. In all other matters, the decisions of the Promoter are binding.
• The Promoter reserves the right to retract or make changes to the registration process or content of the Terms & Conditions of Participation.