AIMS Festival Orchestra in Graz
  The 2012 designated travel dates for the AIMS Orchestra in Graz are:
    Arrive Graz July 14
    Depart Graz August 18
  AIMS Orchestra at the Stefaniensaal The AIMS Festival Orchestra in Graz provides a unique opportunity to perform operatic and symphonic literature with a professional-level orchestra under European conductors. Exploring the beautiful country of Austria and environs and networking with musicians from the USA and Canada are added benefits. The AIMS Festival Orchestra is for experienced players who wish to perform in interesting venues in Austria under the direction of internationally acclaimed conductors (see Faculty/Staff Roster page).

In addition to former GMD Cornelius Eberhardt, conductors in recent years included Edoardo Müller (La Scala, MET, San Diego, Cincinnati), Alexander Kalajdzic (Cape Town, Berlin, Munich, Zagreb, Mannheim, Bielefeld), Gerrit Priessnitz (Vienna Volksoper), Joseph Colaneri (New York City Opera, Metropolitan Opera),David Stahl (Munich, Charleston), Heiko Matthias Förster (Munich), Roland Seiffarth (Leipzig), Marius Stieghorst (Graz), Mark Stringer (Bern, Vienna).
  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/five 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. Performances are held in the major concert halls of Graz.
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.
 
 
What AIMS Offers

Each member of the AIMS Festival Orchestra in Graz receives a contract that includes:
  • Single dormitory room in Graz
  • Breakfast daily and Noon meal on weekdays (Mo-Fr)
  • Travel and meals for concerts outside Graz
  • Health insurance while at AIMS - (coverage limited to inside Austria)
  • Participation in the following courses/events:
    • Daily conversational German Classes for Musicians (Levels I - IV)
    • Lectures, mock auditions and Master Classes
    • Opportunities for individual and small ensemble performances:
      Twice-Weekly Artist Recitals, Services in Graz Churches,
      "Brunch at the Stadmuseum" and two chamber music evenings plus the annual Instrumental Chamber Recital.

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 partners (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 watch some excerpts of the AIMS Festival Orchestra, click here.  
To read how to raise money for your AIMS "Graz Experience", click here. (PDF)  
To download Adobe Acrobat Reader needed to read the PDF documents on this web site, click on the icon to the right.
To visit the AIMS in Graz photo gallery, click here.  


To learn more about AIMS, contact us by e-mail or telephone (see below).
AIMS Contact