National Academy Orchestra of Canada
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CANADA’S ONLY PROFESSIONAL TRAINING ORCHESTRA

The National Academy Orchestra of Canada (NAO) provides an extraordinary opportunity for emerging young Canadian professional musicians to work as apprentice musicians alongside established professionals from some of Canada’s finest orchestras. The NAO is celebrating its 30th Anniversary Season in 2018!

NAO – Apply Now

Intensive Schedule ~ Major Orchestra Repertoire ~ World Class Mentors & Solosits
The National Academy Orchestra of Canada was founded in 1989 by conductor Boris Brott and is primarily based in Hamilton, Ontario. It is recognized as a Canadian National School for professional training, and each winter over 450 potential applicants audition from across Canada for a position in the orchestra. Since its inception, the NAO has been the orchestra-in-residence for the acclaimed Brott Music Festival, Canada’s largest orchestral music festival. Each season features guest concertmasters and mentors from across the country, guest conductors, and internationally-renowned soloists, with performance opportunities ranging from full orchestra to opera to chamber music.

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Performances are not the only aspect of the NAO’s activities: students also take part in mock auditions, seminars, lectures, performance classes, repertoire reading sessions, and masterclasses with guest soloists and mentors. The season begins with an intense chamber music session where weekly concerts are coached and prepared by some of Canada’s finest pedagogues. The NAO places particular emphasis on entrepreneurial skills and practical topics through the seminars, focusing on issues that affect the everyday life of the professional orchestral musician. The NAO also incorporates a real-to-life rehearsal and performance schedule as part of its training program, producing over 30 performances each spring and summer.

Generously Supported By: HRSDC_logo CdnHert_logo

Did You Know?

NAO

The National Academy Orchestra of Canada is Canada’s only professional training orchestra, and one of the few of its unique concept in the world. Graduates from the NAO hold, or have held positions with virtually every major orchestra across Canada and orchestras across North America and around the world.

To date, The National Academy Orchestra of Canada has graduated over 1,000 students into the profession, in its 30 years of creating world-class musicians.