RDAM students play with Copenhagen Phil

The collaborative concerts are organised by Copenhagen Phil with reinforcement from 'the next generation of musicians from the Royal Danish Academy of Music'. One of these musicians of the next generation is tuba player, Theodor Hvidt, who is studying in the 3rd semester of the Bachelor's programme. He was also part of the orchestra for the performance of Sacre du Printemps and is excited about the opportunity to play with a professional orchestra:

"Being in a professional orchestra is quite different from being in orchestra schools," he says. "For many of us who join, it's our first encounter with a professional orchestra and you learn a lot from that. First of all, you get to know the workflow of a professional orchestra and then it also gives you some perspective. There are a lot of things that are unpolished when you play in the orchestra schools - small things in the practice of music, which you can then correct more easily when you have played with a professional orchestra, which has more sound and tone," he says.

"And it's also a kind of reality check, where you get a feel for what's required in a professional orchestra. You feel the level - how good do you have to play? What level should I be able to play to?"

BEING both A STUDENT AND A PROFESSIONAL

You can feel a bit between roles when you're a student in a collaborative project. On the one hand, you are a student and the permanent musicians in the orchestra are a kind of mentors. On the other hand, you are part of the orchestra and have to contribute in the same way as everyone else.

"It's a very talented orchestra, so you really want to do well," says Theodor Hvidt. "But it might feel a little less responsible when you're a student. You've been chosen for the job, but everyone knows you're a student and you're also there to learn."

Vicepresident and head of the brass group, Jesper Juul Windahl also believes that there is a lot to learn from participating in collaborative projects:

"We make it a priority to give students the opportunity to participate in as many collaborations with professional orchestras as possible. This is an important part of the students' education, where they learn how a professional concert production takes place and what the requirements are. Moreover, you create a network while you are still studying and that is worth its weight in gold."

IT'S HARD WORK, BUT WORTH IT

Time can be a challenge when, between classes, countless rehearsals and life in general, you have to be part of a big professional production and you have to prioritise:

"You spend 3 -4 rehearsal days on it and then the concert, so a little week's time all in all. And it can be a bit hard to do if the rehearsals are in a week that already has a lot of teaching, but it's worth prioritising such a project and I'm lucky to be able to be part of a collaborative project for the second time", Theodor says and continues:

"I have played Fantastique before and it is a favourite piece for me. There are two tubas involved, so for me it's a great opportunity to get out and play professionally. That's what you want to do as an orchestral musician. And it's fun - there's a great atmosphere in the orchestra and lots of musical enjoyment."

The concert will take place on 27 January at 18.00 in the Conservatory's Concert Hall. Tickets are available from Copenhagen Phil.