The Baron Swerts Academy by the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra is an outstanding programme which nurtures the finest early-career professional orchestral musicians,  introducing them to multi-faceted experiences and preparing them for a career as a versatile orchestral musician run by one of Belgium’s eminent international cultural institutions based in Antwerp.

It is valued and warmly supported by orchestra musicians and staff, alumni, sponsors and other stakeholders.

The Academists will be engaged for 12 pre-scheduled weeks between September and June. In these weeks there will be orchestra projects with top conductors (including the chief), workshops and trainings, as well as a Mock Audition. The orchestra projects include major symphonic works and  Flemish repertoire.

Each Academist will be assigned a mentor and will receive 10 lessons from orchestra musicians of their choice.

Candidates for the 2025-2026 Baron Swerts Academy auditions need to be under 27 years old on the date of the audition, follow or have completed a Bachelor in Music or equal, have the nationality of an EU country or Switzerland, or be able to provide an A1 for the whole season or a valid work permit for Belgium before applying for the audition. If these requirements are not met, you cannot take part in the audition.

Candidates need to provide an ID which states their nationality.

After  successful completion of the Baron Swerts Academy programme, students will be accepted in the second round of the orchestra auditions for equivalent positions for the duration of 3 years.

Academists will be paid according to the CAO voor het Paritair Comité voor het Vermakelijkheidsbedrijf.

Haydn D major exposition (2 pages), no cadenza

● Beethoven: Symphony nr. 5, slow movement

● Brahms: Symphony nr. 2, slow movement theme

● Debussy: La Mer (cello 1)

● Mahler: Symphony nr. 4

● Mahler: Symphony nr. 5

● Mendelssohn: Midsummer Night’s Dream

● Shostakovich: Symphony nr. 5

● Strauss: Heldenleben 1st page

Academy auditions are held LIVE in Antwerp. No video or audio files will be accepted.

We do not reimburse any expenses made for the audition: neither travel expenses, nor hotel costs.