AIMS Festival Orchestra in Graz
The designated travel dates for the AIMS Orchestra in Graz are:
    Depart North America: July 6, 2008 (Arrive Graz July 7);
    Depart Graz, Austria: August 16-18, 2008.
View repertoire planned for this summer's concert series Here.

AIMS at Herz-JezuThe AIMS Festival Orchestra in Graz provides a unique opportunity to perform operatic and symphonic literature with an excellent orchestra under European conductors. Exploring the beautiful country of Austria and environs and networking with musicians from the USA and Canada are added attractions. The AIMS Festival Orchestra is for experienced players who wish to perform in Austria under the direction of internationally acclaimed conductors in interesting venues.

In addition to GMD Cornelius Eberhardt, conductors in recent years included Edoardo Müller (La Scala, the MET, San Diego, Cincinnati), Heiko Matthias Förster (Munich), Roland Seiffarth (Leipzig), Marius Stieghorst (Graz), Mark Stringer (Bern, Vienna), Alexander Kalajdzic (Cape Town, Berlin).

 
Instrumentalists in this professional level ensemble benefit from a training experience which increases their awareness of current European musical styles and rehearsal and performance techniques. The program prepares players for professional auditions and can serve as a starting point for auditioning in Europe.

There are four major orchestral concerts in Graz; some are repeated in other Austrian venues. The repertoire of the AIMS Festival Orchestra is primarily operatic. Symphonic works and excerpts, especially those with solo instrumental passages, are included in concert programs; however, the emphasis is on vocal music. Chamber music, especially for instruments and voice, is also performed and there are opportunities for individual performances.
 

The AIMS Festival Orchestra maintains a busy schedule of rehearsals and performances that introduce instrumentalists to a wide range of literature and performing styles of artistic and career importance in the European music world. Rehearsals and performances are held in the major concert halls of Graz, which rank among the finest in Austria. Daily exposure to the lifestyle and the people of Graz, and to the highest musical standards within a demanding and challenging schedule provides an exciting and rewarding educational experience.

 
 
Photos: John Sands and Henry Sauls

What AIMS Offers

Each member of the AIMS Festival Orchestra in Graz receives a contract that includes:

  • Single dormitory room in Graz
  • Breakfast daily
  • Noon meal on weekdays (M-F)
  • Travel and meals when touring outside Graz with the AIMS Festival Orchestra
  • Health insurance while at AIMS - (coverage limited to inside Austria)
  • Participation in the following courses/events:
    • Daily conversational German Classes for Musicians
    • Lectures, mock auditions and Master Classes
    • Weekly Artist Recitals and Services in Graz Churches

Members of the AIMS Festival Orchestra pay no tuition or fees. AIMS does not provide airfare. There is a charge of $50 if your travel arrangements are not made through AIMS travel partner (see AIMS Travel page). Transportation of large instruments is provided from and to North American Lufthansa gateway cities for those flying on designated flight dates.

More Information
To read how to raise money for your AIMS "Graz Experience", click here. (PDF document)
To read about Graz, the dorm, a day at AIMS and the AIMS program from the perspective of a participant, click here. (PDF document)
To visit the AIMS in Graz photo gallery, click here.
To download/print this page as a PDF document, right click here and
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To learn more about AIMS, contact us by e-mail (click here) or telephone.

AIMS Contact