Orchestra

Orchestra

Orchestra musicians are invited to participate in a rigorous program with diverse repertoire and 9 public performances, including major orchestral concerts, chamber music, opera orchestra performances, masterclasses, and optional private lessons.

Participants will have the opportunity to perform symphonic programs in world-class venues and some of Europe’s most historic halls. These performances include three orchestral concerts, with music by Wagner, Beethoven and Dvořák, and performances of Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte and Le Nozze di Figaro in historic theatres.

Instrumentalists will have coaching and masterclasses from members of the festival faculty and visiting clinicians including members of professional European and American orchestras. Instrumental musicians may also have the opportunity to take private lessons with guest faculty, for an additional fee.

Orchestral Program Performances 2025

June 21 Full Orchestra at Divadlo Oskar Nedbal, Tábor

June 25 Chamber Music Ensembles (Venue TBC), Tábor

June 28 Full Orchestra (Venue TBC), Prague

July 1 Chamber Music Ensembles at Suk Hall, Rudolfinum, Prague

July 6 Prague Summer Nights Festival Orchestra at Smetana Hall (Municipal House), Prague 

Opera Performances
July 10 & 12 Le Nozze di Figaro, Mozart
July 11 & 13 Die Zauberflöte, Mozart

2025 Featured Soloists/Clinicians:

Clinicians and Soloists will be announced Fall 2024

Orchestral Repertoire Highlights Include:

  • Richard Wagner: “Heil König Heinrich!” from Lohengrin
  • Morten Lauridsen: Lux Aeterna
  • Leonard Bernstein: Chichester Psalms
  • Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125

Program Highlights

  • Perform in the pit for a fully staged Opera
  • Orchestra performances in Tábor and Prague and famous venues
  • Chamber Music coachings and concert
  • Masterclasses with orchestral players from Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic or Czech Philharmonic

2025 Guest Clinicians

 Guest Clinicians to be announced Fall 2024

 

Experience the World of Gustav Mahler

  • Visit Jihlava, Mahler’s childhood home and tour the Mahler family apartment. 
  • Perform at the Mahler Festival in Jihlava with guest conductor James Burton from the Boston Symphony.
  • Perform Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 at the legendary Rudolfinum in Prague, where Mahler regularly conducted.

 

Chamber Music at Prague Summer Nights

Prague Summer Nights intensive chamber music program will offer coachings with Prague Summer Nights faculty and visiting guest clinicians culminating in a performance in Prague. Students receive one-on-one mentorship from Europe’s top players to elevate their playing.

The program concludes in the acoustically brilliant Suk Hall at the Rudolfinum, where many of the world’s top chamber ensembles frequently perform.

NEW MUSIC

Select students will have the chance to coach with and perform new music by a living composer specially commissioned for Prague Summer Nights through the Classical Movements Eric Daniel Helms New Music Program. 

In 2018 select students premiered the string quartet The Remembered Song by acclaimed composer Greg Sandow.

In 2019 select students performed the string quartet with Trumpet by Czech Composer Sylvie Bodorová.

In 2022 PSN New Music program offers select students to work with and perform a new string quartet commissioned by renowned Czech composer Sylvie Bodorová.

In 2024 the Prague Summer Nights Festival Orchestra premiered a new composition, Go where the wind takes you, written by Ukrainian composer Iryna Aleksiychuk based on the poetry of Ukrainian poet Olena Stepanenko (video link with live audio recording of the PSN Festival Orchestra’s premiere performance below). 

What Our Students Say

  • “I cannot say this enough, this has been one of the most rewarding and fun opera experiences I’ve had! Not only because we were lucky enough to perform in the Estates Theater, but more so because of the camaraderie and friendships I have made, that will last a lifetime."

    Jessica Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Mezzo-Soprano

  • “It truly is a joy to be here in Prague and spending so much time with this group of people. Everyone works so hard, and when all the different parts come together, the music we create is absolutely magical. There is much pleasure in growing and bonding with a very talented group of musicians.”

    Andy Kim, Violinist

  • “Today I attended the Brass sectionals of Sibelius Symphony No. 2 and Dvorak Symphony No. 9, led by clinician Ladislav Kozderka who holds the position of principal trumpet of the Czech Philharmonic. I offered to be his personal metronome and he humbly laughed, saying "no, no, you must know this piece so much more than me!" He let me conduct the entirety of both symphonies, stopping every section to give feedback. I kept wanting to pinch my cheek because I knew all the words of wisdom was coming from one of the leaders of the orchestra that loves and owns Dvorak more than anywhere else in the world.”

    Euan Shields, Conducting Apprentice

  • Participating in this incredible program was life changing! I strongly encourage people interested to apply, you won’t regret it. Easily one of the best summers of my life ❤️

    Hayden Clarke, Arts Admin PSN 17

  • “I have had the most wonderful 4 weeks I could hope for!"

    Nico Laruina, Vocalist

  • “I really enjoyed working with Dr. Jelena Nosková in the masterclass. She had wonderful suggestions and I felt my voice blossoming in the short time we worked together. I felt that it was very valuable to get some suggestions from someone I’d never worked with before. I thoroughly appreciate having this opportunity!”

    Beth Compton, Vocalist

  • “It was a pleasure for me being part of the festival, I learned a lot in Prague! Thank you for believing in my talent.”

    Brenda I., voice

  • “Thank you so much for the opportunity! I learned so much in that month, that I’m just hoping to retain a tiny bit of it! My teacher even noticed that my high notes have improved in tone. The program was absolutely amazing, and the people you brought together for it were even more so.”

    Laura M., voice

  • “Thank you again for the incredible opportunity! I had an amazing trip and made so many memories.”

    Heather G., violin

  • “Thank you for giving me the opportunity. It was an amazing experience with countless memories. Thank you again.”

    Preet S., cello

  • "Thank you PRAGUE SUMMER NIGHTS so much for the incredible opportunity to work with you in Prague, and the amazing opportunities I’ve received!"

    Isabelle M., cello

  • “A better experience could not have taken place for me during the first annual Prague Summer Nights Festival. I will forever take with me the memories and knowledge gained during my time with many wonderful musicians.”

    Maya M., violin

  • "Prague Summer Nights was an incredible experience for me. I made friendships that will last a lifetime and learned so much about myself as a performer. Sometimes when you are engrossed in the whirlwind of hard, dedicated work it is difficult to see your own progress. Just months after the program I already feel a difference and ease of approach to my performing, as well as a greater awareness of not only what I can improve, but HOW I can improve. Having sung an opera where Mozart first conducted it is no small honor either! Thank you for the experience of a lifetime."

    Stephanie K., soprano

  • “Such an incredible experience getting a lesson and performing in a masterclass today with Walter Seyfarth, 30-year clarinetist of the Berlin Philharmonic, my favorite orchestra. My time in Prague has been a clarinetist’s dream! Very grateful.”

    Eric S., clarinet

  • “Thanks for a great summer! The Prague experience was unforgettable. Thanks again.”

    Will R., viola

  • “I just wanted to take the opportunity again to thank you for this wonderful program you have created. I am still in awe of what took place over this last month, from Smetana Hall, to the Dvorak Museum, and finally Don Giovanni at the Estates Theatre! I honestly don’t know how you did it!"

    John H., baritone