The Prague Philharmonic Choir Academy was founded in early 2012 at the incentive of the choirmaster Lukáš Vasilek and the artistic board. This is a platform for the education of students of conservatories and music colleges studying solo singing, or talented singers being educated and trained individually by renowned teachers, and attaining the required level of artistic quality of singing performance.

The project enables young singers to work with members of professional singing ensembles that present, in particular, a classical repertoire of choral literature at concerts under leading conductors and, in collaboration not only with home soloists, be able to regularly perform at home and abroad. During the year-long programme a participant of the Academy can experience the way a professional choir works and develop their singing skills in practice under top choirmasters and in a prestigious artistic environment. A number of graduates build on their participation of the Academy by long-term collaboration with the Prague Philharmonic Choir, seven former Academy participants have already become its permanent members and a further four regularly take part in projects of the Prague Philharmonic Choir as external participants. Academy participants also receive support in PR and communication (having their photos taken, creating a professional CV, social media presentation, and so on). Each participant receives a certificate of successful completion of the Academy, and can even receive a reference from choirmasters or vocal supervisors for their further professional career. A stipend also comes as part of Academy participation.

Applicants for the Academy of choir singing fill in and send an application form to the choir’s secretary and then go through a single-round audition consisting of the rendition of one aria and one song. Part of the audition also involves a vocal range and sight-singing test.

When signing an academy contract the participants receive a list of projects that they will take part in with permanent members of the choir. Individual projects can be pre-rehearsed within the Academy by one of the choirmasters or assistant choirmasters so that Academy participants are properly artistically prepared for the entire choir rehearsal process. The length of participation in the Academy is conceived in such a way that it allows its participants to combine it with any ongoing study.

Students can rely on assistance from the vocal supervisors and representatives of the management of the Prague Philharmonic Choir in getting organised and understanding how the operation of the choir works as they inform the students about rehearsal plans and all changes in the rehearsal process, as well as signing a contract with them, dealing with other administrative tasks and providing them with other necessary information. If a participant of the Academy cannot join a planned project or meet the obligations of taking part in 75% of all listed rehearsals in exceptional cases or for serious reasons, they may have their monthly stipend taken away or be offered an alternative project.