Contact Information

General Enquiries: 01865 987 222
Box Office: 01865 980 980
Email: [email protected]

Side-By-Side

Sit Side-by-Side with a professional player in an Oxford Philharmonic concert.

Our Side-by-Side scheme gives young musicians from Oxfordshire the opportunity to sit alongside a professional player in the opening work of up to three of our Oxford season concerts.

Sit Side-by-Side the Oxford Phil


About Side-by-Side

Our Side-by-Side scheme provides the opportunity for student string, wind, brass and percussion players from Oxfordshire to sit side-by-side with a professional player in the opening work of up to three of our Oxford season concerts. This is a unique performance experience reaching beyond what ordinary music education provides.

The Side-by-Side series of webinars, sectionals and tutti rehearsals with professional orchestral players will enable young musicians to gain unique insights into orchestral performance and perform their very best in concert.

Rehearsals happen on the concert days. The introductory webinar for successful applicants will be on Sunday 5 November, 10:00-11:30.

How to apply

Applicants to Side-by-Side must be aged 14+ and play to Grade 8 standard or above. Applicants must be a student at school or university in Oxfordshire.

Applications for the 2045/25 Side-by-Side scheme will open in September.


Concerts

Thursday 23 November 2023

Tchaikovsky Polonaise and Waltz from Eugene Onegin, Op. 24
Cayenna Ponchione-Bailey conductor

Thursday 29 February 2024

Rossini Overture to The Barber of Seville
Cayenna Ponchione-Bailey conductor

Thursday 30 May 2024

Farrenc Overture No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 24
Cayenna Ponchione-Bailey conductor

Audition information

Date tbc, October 2024
Venue tbc, Oxford

Candidates only applying for Side-by-Side and/or the Orchestral Apprenticeship will prepare the following for the audition:

  • One accompanied piece lasting 4–5 minutes (movements and excerpts of a solo work may be performed)
  • Two orchestral excerpts provided 4 days in advance
  • Sight-reading provided in the audition

For those also applying for the Young Artists’ Platform or Oxfordshire Senior Concerto Competition, candidates will also prepare:

  • An additional piece, that may be accompanied, lasting 4–5 minutes (movements and excerpts of a solo work may be performed)

If you have any questions about the audition process or any of the student performance opportunities, please contact Will Emery, Education Officer.