Phion Heersink Academy
Welcome to the Phion Heersink Academy
You are dreaming of a musical career because you’re bursting with talent, brimming with ambition and have enjoyed an academic education. You are working hard to become a better musician every day. The opportunity to gain practical experience would help immensely. At top level, ofcourse, because why not? The Phion Heersink Academy offers you that opportunity!
The Phion Heersink Academy bridges the gap between education and the professional world of music. Talented young musicians like you are given the unique opportunity to develop their skills and make the transition from education to the professional world of music.
As Phion's training institution, the Academy is taking responsibility. We want to make a crucial contribution to the development of top talents in Europe. Therefore we offer young professionals a platform to grow and gain a future role in the world of music.
Education in modern orchestral culture
If you are granted a spot in the Academy, it will be your instant ticket to working on symphonic, opera, educational and chamber music productions within Phion's diverse range of offerings. In addition to loads of artistic experience, you can also enjoy intensive audition training with psychological coaching as well as masterclasses and workshops. It is undoubtedly the most complete next step on your path to a successful career as a professional musician!
What makes the Phion Heersink Academy even more appealing is the chance to participate in innovative theatrical productions (elective). Phion has been working with Theater Oostpool and Theater Sonnevanck for several years producing spectacular theatre productions that include musicians. Not in the comfortzone of the orchestra, but on stage as silent actors! Can you already see yourself performing in a role like that?
The start of an important tradition?
Phion has now started an important musical tradition through the Phion Heersink Academy, as it would be great to welcome a former academy member in our orchestra in the future. Will you be a new colleague that our audience and the orchestra are looking forward to? is We will be proudly following you and all our alumni on your musical journey!
Is this applicable to you?
- You are not older than 27 on 1 September 2025.*
- You will preferably already have completed a master's degree at a conservatoire. You can also apply if you're in the second year of the master's degree in September 2025.
- You live in the Netherlands and have Dutch nationality or the nationality of one of the member states of the European Union, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland or you hold a valid Dutch residence permit.
- You are available for a minimum of 10 weeks to participate in various productions that reflect Phion’s program.
*The Academy focuses on talents in the beginning of their musical carreer
Audition and selection
- Auditions for the 2025/2026 season will take place on 4 and 5 March 2025.
- The positions in season 2025-2026 are: violin (1), viola (1), oboe (1) and flute (1)
- The audition repertoire can be found at MUVAC.
- You can only apply online through MUVAC.
- The application deadline is 7 February 2025.
- Phion reserves its right to preselect applicants based on the submitted CVs and audition videos.
- The audition consists of playing the specified repertoire.
- If you are selected by the jury, you will be invited to an interview.
- Only complete applications through MUVAC will be considered.
- As a candidate from a non-EU country, you must hold a valid work and residence permit for the Netherlands and are requested to include it with your application.
What the Phion Heersink Academy offers you:
- You will participate in at least 10 orchestral weeks of Phion’s programming (concert, opera and chamber music productions).
- You will have the opportunity to participate in a theatrical production (elective element).
- Audition training, including a mock anonymised audition with extensive feedback.
- A number of individual lessons from an orchestral musician.
- Participation in one or more workshops and masterclasses.
- You will receive a certificate upon successful completion.
- The certificate offers direct access to the first round of auditions for tutti positions within three years or receipt.
- Remuneration by NL collective employment agreement 'Remplaçanten'
Terms of employment:
- You are given an Academy contract for a minimum of 10 weeks to be scheduled during the period from 19 August 2025 to 3 July 2026.
- The schedule of the weeks in which participation is expected will be announced before the summer of 2025.
- Contract terms, playing obligations and remuneration according to the Freeelancers collective labour agreement.
- The role is based in Enschede and Arnhem.
Do you want to know more about your chance of getting into the Phion Heersink Academy? Please contact Phion's People and Organisation Department at MenO@phion.nl.
You want to apply for the Phion Heersink Academy?