The aim of the Ann and Peter Law OAE Experience for young players is to give exceptionally gifted young period instrument players the opportunity to participate in OAE concert projects as well as receiving ongoing mentoring from OAE musicians. The year-long scheme is aimed at students in the final stages of study, bridging the gap between Music College and a professional career. Following the scheme, many participants have gone on to perform with the OAE on a regular basis. This is a unique opportunity for students to work alongside the Orchestra with world-class conductors and soloists, performing in a range of period styles and is the first such scheme initiated by a period instrument orchestra.

The scheme is now in its ninth year, and during this time, the OAE has opened its doors to nearly 160 young musicians. These players have had the opportunity to work with a high calibre of conductors such as Sir Simon Rattle, Vladimir Jurowski, Iván Fischer, Sir Charles Mackerras, Sir Roger Norrington, Robert Levin, Sir Mark Elder, Yannick Nézet Séguin and Edward Gardner.

Ann and Peter Law OAE Experience for young players scheme 2011

Applications for the 2011 scheme are now open. To apply, please send a completed application form, two letters of reference and your CV to . The closing date for applications is Midday, Wednesday 15 September 2010.
Auditions will take place in October and candidates will be notified if they have been successful after the application deadline.

For full details of the scheme including audition dates and requirements, please download the information pack. For any enquiries please contact the scheme administrator, Megan Russell on 020 7239 9378 or .

Information pack (PDF format)
Application form (Word document)
FAQ (PDF format)

The participants of the 2010 scheme are:

Violin: Cécile Dorchene, Sabine Stoffer, Agnieszka Swiatkowska, Sarah Titterington
Viola: John Ma
Cello: Jonathan Rees, Vladimir Waltham
Double Bass: Ana Córdova Andrés
Flute: Sieglinde Groessinger, Renate Sokolovska
Oboe: Karen Gibbard
Clarinet: Anthony Bailey
Horn: Phillippa Slack, Meredith Moore
Trumpet: William Russell, James Woods-Davison
Timpani: Ben Fullbrook, Serge Vuille

Comments from previous participants

“The atmosphere amongst the tutors and participants was spectacular. The enthusiasm and passion that the tutors had for wanting to bring energy and life to the music we were playing was a quality that made being part of the ensemble a joy and inspiration.”
Meredith Moore, horn at OAE Academy, January 2010

"Every time I played with the OAE, I felt at ease with the whole experience. I love how they play, and had such fun making music together."
Participant, 2009-2010

"I found the scheme incredibly useful. Having had done a baroque course, I had played a lot of baroque music but I wasn't sure how to approach the later repertoire in a historically informed way. The scheme helped me to understand this music much more. It definitely had a big influence on my career, since I finished the scheme I have been asked to play in many orchestras which has always been my dream to do."
Kinga Gaborjani, cello, 2007-08

"Not having received any specialist training in period timpani prior to the scheme, it was great to be able to learn from two of the most respected players I could have hoped to meet."
Sarah Stuart, timpani, 2007-08

Education work:

"I found these projects really fulfilling as I not only learnt a lot about the music myself, but also about creative ways of listening and reacting to the music, and I often found the children’s ideas and interpretations to be really inspiring!
Participant, 2009-2010

"The scale of both of these projects (Water music and Romeo & Juliet culmination days) was very impressive and it was exciting to be part of the team making it all happen on the last day. It was great to see a Wider Opportunities project working so well – I had previously been a bit sceptical about whether it really worked as an initiative and after the Water Music project I totally changed my mind!"
Sarah Stuart, timpani, 2007-08