Posted by N.R.O. elaboration/opinions on November 12, 1999 at 03:50:16:
In Reply to: Re: Training/Pre-professional Orchestras... posted by Steve Marcus on November 12, 1999 at 00:34:39:
Its a summer thing - about two or two and a half months...very intensive (a major concert every 3 days or so -- National "REPERTORY" Orchestra), very exclusive (most members are about 25 years old or so and have masters degrees from conservatory-level schools and often regional orchestra jobs already) and fairly "clique-ish". (Carl Topilow, its conductor-since-forever, hand-selects all of the players, and tours the country's conservatories to do so. A heavy contingiency is from the Cleveland Institute, where he is in residence.)
The N.R.O. (located in a Breckenridge, CO - a ski resort town on top of the Great Divide) is, indeed, the "Rolls Royce" of summer orchestras, if you can get in. I believe that one is only eligible to participate for one season.
There are quite a few other college/conservatory student-oriented summer orchestras. Most are quite difficult to get into, but most all are easier to obtain a position in than the N.R.O., which is probably the most exclusive, and, arguably, the most desirable.