Twenty young, under-thirty musical talents will have the opportunity to learn from top violinists, violists, and cellists, free of charge and in the inspiring environment of Renaissance Slavonice. During the week-long intensive course, the participants of the International Music Master Classes can get even closer to their professional dream—an engagement in a renowend orchestra.

The veteran members of the orchestra, which for decades has been one of the most respected symphonic ensembles in the world, have modeled the Slavonice courses on a similar project by their professor Alfred Staar. ”Professor Staar was a sought-after teacher and his idea to hold courses near the Triglav National Park in Slovenia where he had a cottage, was met with great acclaim” recalls violinist Milan Šetena, the spiritual father of the Slavonice classes. 

Although professor Staar died shortly before the first year began, his students and assistants successfully taught the courses in Trento for the next 16 years. ”When the main sponsor withdrew from the project some time ago, we decided to move them to Slavonice, where I happen to  have a cottage,“ states Šetena. 

Young motivated musicians from around the world are coming to Slavonice for the third time. Each participant will receive two extra hours of individual lessons each day in addition to chamber ensembles assembled by the instructors at the beginning. ”Learning to listen to each other is the absolute basis for working in a large orchestra,” says Šetena, adding that the prized sound of the Vienna Philharmonic players is based precisely on the musicians’ ability to combine their abilities into a euphonious whole. 

”When we see potential in the Slavnice course participants, we recommend them to the Orchestra Academy of the Vienna Philharmonic,” continues the violinist. Three participants from preceding years have already made it to the academy, which usually leads to a permanent position in this prestigious orchestra. 

The superior playing of the young instrumentalists also impressed the owner of the Svoboda & Williams real estate agency, Prokop Svoboda. ”I grew up in a musical family. My grandfather was a member of the Czech Philharmonic and my mother is an opera singer, and so I’ve had a trained ear since childhood,” says Svoboda. ”Meeting the right people at the right time is crucial for career growth in any field, which is why I want to help jumpstart the professional journey of talented musicians,” adds Svoboda, who is also actively involved in the music world.

Locals and visitors to Slavonice can listen to these musical hopefuls at the concerts organized by the International Music Master Classes in Slavonice 2023, which will be held on August 24th at the Museum Hunanum in Fratres, August 25th at the Dobrohoř Castle in Staré Město pod Landštejnem, and August 26th at the Institute in Slavonice.