Professional Experience Schemes

The RNCM Professional Experience Schemes offer Year 3, Year 4 and Postgraduate RNCM students the chance to gain enviable real-world experience as ensemble musicians. Each year over 60 students undertake a professional placement with our orchestra partners, all of which provide invaluable insight and practical experience of life within the profession through auditions, rehearsals, education projects and public performances.

The deadline for applications for each Scheme is 1300, Thursday 25 June 2026.

Please note, no late applications will be considered.

All information for each Scheme, including how to apply, can be found on these links:

Hallé
(Wind and Brass)
Scheme Details
Application Form

BBC Philharmonic
(Strings, Woodwind, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Percussion)
Scheme Details (WBP)

Scheme Details (SS)
Application Form

Manchester Camerata
(Strings)
Scheme Details
Application Form

Opera North (Wind, Horn, Trumpet & Percussion)
Scheme Details (Horn & Trumpet)

Scheme Details (Wind)

Scheme Details (Percussion)
Application Form

Manchester Collective Studio (PG Strings Only)

Scheme Details
Application Form

Kantos Chamber Choir - Closing date 1300, Monday 21 September 2026 (SVSO / Members of Chamber Choir Only)

Scheme Details
Application Form

Auditions and relevant workshops are scheduled to take place in the Autumn Term 2026.

Following the late withdrawal of applicants in previous years the RNCM and the PES partner orchestras have agreed that any candidate withdrawing at less than 72 hours' notice prior to the audition will be ineligible to apply to that orchestra again in subsequent years.