How to participate
The members of the Erasmus Orchestra are selected through public calls addressed to European Conservatoires and Music Institutes, which may participate by nominating students who have lived or are currently living an Erasmus mobility experience.
In 2023, the project expanded to include students from Conservatoires and Music Institutes across all Erasmus+ countries. To support this development, the Erasmus+ Italian National Agency INDIRE initiated an international collaboration with the Association Européenne des Conservatoires, Académies de Musique et Musikhochschulen (AEC).
In 2024 and 2026 new calls for Erasmus Orchestra integration was launched in response to the numerous requests for participation received from institutions and students.
All calls for eligible students are still ongoing and their validity have been extended until 31 December 2027.
Selection procedure
The application can be submitted only by Higher Music Education Institutions from Erasmus+ countries , on behalf of their students.
Selected students respect the following requirements at the time of submitting the application:
- to be enrolled in a Higher Music Education Institution in one of the countries taking part in the Erasmus+ Programme;
- to be a citizen of one or more countries participating in the Erasmus+ Programme;
- to be at least 18 years old.
Specific requirements (mandatory for priority students):
- Having completed or currently undertaken an Erasmus+ mobility for study and/or traineeship (inbound or outbound);
- Technical-artistic mastery: achievement of excellent results in the mastery of at least one of the instruments indicated in this document, in terms of qualifications and experience, as well as in artistic, theoretical, and practical preparation, including vocal performance in the specified specialties (The respect of this criterium is asked to the Higher
Music Education Institutions in their selection of candidates); - Type of instrument family.
The evaluation of the candidates is carried out by the Erasmus+ INDIRE Agency. The selection of suitable candidates for the Erasmus Orchestra performances will take into consideration the technical requirements of each programme / repertoire, taking into account the advice of the artistic director of the project as reported in the call notice.
The procedure includes the creation of two lists of idoneous students to ensure a structured and transparent selection process:
- Priority students: Candidates who fully meet the selection criteria outlined in the official call notice (General requirements and Specific requirements) are placed on the “Priority Students” list (Annex A);
- Eligible students: Those who meet the General admission requirements but don’tcompletely achieve the Specific requirements are classified as “Eligible Students”, and included in a secondary list (Annex B). This list may be consulted if additional placements become available due to the unavailability of priority students.
The selection of students from both lists for Erasmus Orchestra performances will take into account the repertoire requirements of each concert, as well as the students’ level of proficiency, location of the events and previous participations.
Concert schedules are flexible and not predetermined, as the Orchestra has mainly a promotional purpose. It can be exceptionally requested by institutions and stakeholders of the program on an ongoing basis, without a fixed notice period. However, convocations will be made by direct contact (email) of the EO staff to the selected students at least one month before each event, taking into consideration the recommendations of the project’s technical-artistic director, Maestro Elio Orciuolo (as reported in the call notice).
Following the selection process, the Agency will inform the selected students via email regarding the details of each performance. This will ensure proper coordination of orchestral rehearsals and participation in concerts.
Participation in the activities of the Erasmus Orchestra is entirely free of charge. Travel, meals, and accommodation expenses are covered by the Agency or the organizational partners of each concert, but no financial compensation is provided to the students. Additionally, for each production, the contribution of the selected students’ home conservatories may be requested.
A certificate of participation for the involved students will be issued for each event.
Extension of the validity of the Erasmus Orchestra selection lists
The validity of the selection lists related to the Erasmus Orchestra calls has been officially extended until 31 December 2027. This decision ensures continuity of the project and aligns the selection procedures with the full duration of the Erasmus+ 2021–2027 programming period.
The extension allows all eligible students included in the ranking lists to have the opportunity to participate in the project. To date, some candidates have not yet been involved due to personal unavailability or the overrepresentation of certain instrumental sections within the orchestra. Extending the validity of the lists ensures a fair and inclusive participation process. In addition, the extension supports the planning and implementation of already scheduled activities in 2026 and forthcoming initiatives in 2027, avoiding the need for a new selection procedure and ensuring operational and artistic continuity throughout the entire Erasmus+ cycle.
>> Visit the INDIRE’s website (section “Bandi di concorso”) for more information
Erasmus Orchestra calls
A new call for expressions of interest is now open for conservatoires and music institutions of EU countries and Erasmus+ associated countries wishing to contribute to the expansion of the Erasmus Orchestra.
The new european call aims to create a European pool of eligible students to join the Orchestra for musical productions and institutional events in 2027.
The Orchestra will play a particularly significant role in the initiatives marking the 40th anniversary of the Erasmus Programme in 2027, serving as an ambassador of the Programme’s values, opportunities and impact and contributing to the celebration of four decades of European cooperation in education, training and mobility. The initiative is endorsed by the Association Européenne des Conservatoires, Académies de Musique et Musikhochschulen (AEC).
The new call for expressions of interest is open exclusively for the following instruments:
- Violin
- Viola
- Double bass
- Bassoon
- Horn
- Percussion/Timpani
Each institution may nominate up to 3 students by submitting an online application by 5 November 2026 (23:59 CET).
Priority
will be given to students who have completed or are currently undertaking an
Erasmus+ study mobility.
For further information read the EO Call Notice 2026 below.
For assistance: orchestraerasmus@indire.it