Side-By-Side
‘Side by side has been such an amazing experience- allowing me to play alongside professional musicians, enjoy performing amazing repertoire and learn so much along the way.
Having one to one lessons on the music with an OPO appointed player has been really helpful as well. I would highly recommend this programme to anyone!’
Alice Bolton, Side-by-Side cello
Sit Side-by-Side the Oxford PhilHarmonic
About Side-by-Side
The Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra’s Side-by-Side programme gives emerging orchestral musicians the opportunity to gain professional experience performing in three concerts throughout the season.
Side-by-Side participants will learn from OPO’s world-class players in dedicated sectionals before each performance. Sectionals and rehearsals take place on the day of performance in Oxford.
There are 19 places available in total: 1 flute, 1 oboe, 1 clarinet, 1 bassoon, 1 horn, 1 trumpet, 1 trombone, 1 percussion, 3 violin I, 3 violin II, 2 viola, 2 celli, 1 bass.
Eligibility
Applicants must be enrolled full or part-time at an institution of higher education in the UK on any course of study.
Applicants must be resident in the UK for the duration of the programme (October 2025 – June 2026).
Applicants must be aged 18 or over, and born after July 1999.
Applicants must ensure that they are available to play in the dates listed below.
Participants are responsible for their own travel expenses. In exceptional cases support may be available to enable participation.
‘The first violins were so warm and encouraging, making me feel very much at home. This was undoubtedly one of the highlights of my term!’
Joel Hoe, Side-by-Side violin I
How to Apply
Side-by-Side repertoire, dates and location are as follows:
- Shostakovich Festive Overture in A major, Op. 96
6 November 2025, Oxford Town Hall.
- Dvořák Carnival Overture, Op. 92
29 January 2026, Oxford Town Hall.
- June 2026
details tbc.
Application and Blind Audition Process
- To apply for the OPO Side-by-Side scheme please complete the application form at the bottom of this page.
NB: No personal identifying information will be shared with the audition panel. - Please ensure that the writing in Part 2 of your application is anonymised as this will be shared with the audition panel.
- Prepare and provide links to two video recordings:
Please ensure that all video and audio links are accessible by the panel (e.g., ‘unlisted’ rather than ‘private’).- An accompanied solo performance (an excerpt 3-5 minutes in length) (This recording can be from anytime in the last six months)
- All excerpts as requested recorded in one take
Excerpts can be accessed via this link: OPO Side-by-Side Excerpts 2025 .
- Prepare and provide links to audio-only versions of the two video recordings. These will be used for the blind audition process. Administrators will use the video to validate that it is the same performance in both the video and audio submissions.
Application deadline: 5pm on Wednesday 1 October, 2025