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Frequently asked questions about the Mahler Academy

1. What is the age limit for applying to the Mahler Academy?
Musicians born between January 1, 1999 and July 21, 2007 can apply.

2. Do I have to be citizen or resident of a European country to apply?
No. Musicians from all countries can apply.

3. I have already participated in the Mahler Academy. Can I apply again?
Yes. You can apply again as long as you are still within the age limit. You will have to send a new video and go through the whole application process.

4. Is participation in the Gustav Mahler Academy free of charge?
All students receive a full scholarship.
However, there are two administrative fees that students have to pay:
€ 30,- application fee to be paid by all applicants
€ 150,- participation fee to be paid by all admitted students

5. Must I organise and pay for my trip to Bolzano myself?
Yes. If admitted, you are expected to organise and pay for your trip individually. You will however receive a total of € 1.000,- in lump-sum cost compensation (€ 500,- for each year).

6. Where will I be staying?
In our residencies in Bolzano and Dobbiaco, as well as on tour you will stay in hotels with double room accommodation. In exceptional cases the Gustav Mahler Academy might have to accommodate students in triple rooms. All hotels are organised and paid for by the Mahler Academy.

7. Do I have to pay for my own meals?
In our residencies in Bolzano and Dobbiaco meals will either be organised or provided through vouchers and will be paid for by the Gustav Mahler Academy. On tour you will have to organise your own meals, however you will receive a lump-sum reimbursement of expenses of € 100,- for each day on tour. This amount will be added to the € 500,- cost compensation.

8. Where will the Gustav Mahler Academy take place?
Lessons and rehearsals take place in the Conservatorio Monteverdi, the Istituto Musicale Vivaldi as well as in the Auditorium in Bolzano. In Toblach all activities take place at the Kulturzentrum Toblach. All venues are in walking distance from the various hotels.

9. Will I play both summers on period instruments?
No. The first summer you will be playing on modern instruments. Only the second summer we switch to period instruments.

10. Do I have to buy or orhanise the historic instruments for the second year?
No. All wind-, brass- and percussion-instruments (including harps) will be provided to you by our partner Euregio Kulturzentrum Toblach.

11. Do I have to bring a historic string instrument and bow for the second year?
No. You can play on your modern string instrument and modern bow. However, you will be expected to put on gut strings and bring a wooden mute.

12. Do I have to buy gut strings?
Violinists and violists have to buy their own gut strings (information on which strings to get will be provided). Cellists will be provided C- and G-strings and will buy their own A- and D- strings. Bass players will be provided Sonores strings but might be asked to buy one gut string. The financial burden is comparable between instrument groups and should be covered by the lump-sum compensation.