Foyle Future Firsts

Our annual Future Firsts programme bridges the transition between education and the professional platform for outstanding early-career orchestral musicians. Applications are now open for 2026/27!

The programme is designed to nurture and develop talented orchestral players, forming the base for future appointments to the London Philharmonic Orchestra and other world-class orchestras and ensembles.

What’s involved?

During your year as a Future First, you’ll have the opportunity to:

play alongside the professionals in London Philharmonic Orchestra rehearsals
hone your technique through 1-1 mentor sessions with an LPO Principal player
benefit from invaluable advice and mentoring from your LPO Principal
perfect your audition skills
observe LPO rehearsals and experience the behind-the-scenes preparation
develop your creative leadership skills alongside LPO players on Education & Community projects
play side-by-side with LPO members in chamber performances at the Royal Festival Hall, and in our annual Debut Sounds concert featuring new works our LPO Young Composers
learn about the wider skills needed to be a freelance professional musician
enjoy free or discounted tickets for LPO concerts at the Southbank Centre
become part of the LPO network of musicians, artists, conductors, staff and other Rising Talent programme participants and alumni

As a Future First, you’ll receive a bursary to help with your living costs over the year, and additional honorarium payments per session for specific projects. There is also additional financial support available to those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Please see the Information for Applicants document for full information.

How do I apply?

We are now welcoming applications for the LPO’s Future Firsts programme 2026/27. Apply online via the Apply now links on this page. Make sure you read the Information for Applicants before you begin.

The deadline for applications is 9.00am (UK time) on Wednesday 6 May 2026.

Please note that there is a new recruitment process this year which includes an initial video audition round.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must play one of the following orchestral instruments: (1 place per instrument unless stated):
Violin (2 places available), viola, cello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone or bass trombone, tuba, percussion including timpani, harp, piano.
Note that applicants for percussion and timpani do not need to stipulate a specialism at the point of application – auditions will be undertaken in both disciplines combined.
Applicants must be UK-based musicians who have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate music performance degree or are able to perform to an equivalent standard. If you are at conservatoire/university in your final year and will have completed your undergraduate studies by September 2026 then you are eligible to apply.
Applicants will need to have the right to work in the UK as a performer – a right to study visa is not applicable. Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor visa applications.
Applicants must be able to support themselves financially and undertake other work and/or continued study alongside their Future First commitment. The programme is not a full-time course nor is it considered equivalent to employment by the Orchestra. A bursary of £1,500 is provided to each participant. We also pay an honorarium per session for specific projects on the scheme. There is further financial support available for those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

Please read the Information for Applicants before starting your online application.

Still have questions? Want to find out more about the programme? Join us at our free online information sessions with LPO staff on Tuesday 21 April at 3.30pm and Monday 27 April at 12pm. If you’d like to sign up, please email [email protected]

Auditions

Round 1: Online application form and Video Audition (application form only for Percussion/Timpani)

Round 2: If your online application and video audition is successful, you will be invited to a live audition in central London. Future First auditions dates are given below. If you apply for the scheme, please make sure you are available on the required live audition date. Unfortunately, there is no flexibility to offer multiple dates or reschedule auditions.

Violin – Friday 14 August – AM & PM
Viola – Monday 6 July – AM & PM
Cello – Tuesday 11 August – AM & PM
Double Bass – Tuesday 30 June – AM
Flute – Friday 31 July – AM & PM
Oboe – Thursday 23 July – PM
Clarinet – Wednesday 5 August – AM & PM
Bassoon – Thursday 25 June – AM
French Horn – Wednesday 24 June – PM
Trumpet – Tuesday 30 June – PM
Trombone and Bass Trombone – Monday 29 June – AM
Tuba – Thursday 6 August – AM
Percussion including Timpani – Thursday 23 July – PM
Harp – Monday 10 August – AM
Piano – Thursday 2 July – AM

Audition materials for both round 1 and round 2 can be downloaded here:

More information about the auditions process can be found in the Information for Applicants document.

If you have not heard from us by end of May 2026 for June auditions or by mid June for July/August auditions then your application has not been successful. We regret that we cannot contact all unsuccessful candidates at the initial stage, nor offer feedback at this stage of the application process.

The deadline for applications is 9.00am (UK time) on Wednesday 6 May 2026. Please ensure that your application is fully completed. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Questions?

If you want to know more about the application process or the Future Firsts programme in general, you can sign up for our information sessions on Zoom on Tuesday 21 April at 3.30pm and/or Monday 27 April at 12pm. In these sessions, LPO staff will be available to answer any questions you may have.

To sign up for either of these sessions please email [email protected]

For any further queries, please contact Lowri Thomas, Education and Community Project Manager, on 020 7840 4203 or email [email protected]

Applications are open

Application deadline: Wednesday 6 May 2026, 09:00am

Apply now

Apply now!

Application Form

Future Firsts 2026/27 Information for Applicants

Find out more about the Future First programme:

We are delighted to be working with the following talented musicians as Future Firsts in the 2025/26 season:

Mio Takahashi – violin
Emily Trubshaw – violin
Sara Ramirez Rodriguez – viola
William Lui – cello
Isabel Garcia – double bass
Billy Hui – flute
Noah Rudd – oboe
Emily Crook – clarinet
Florence Plane – bassoon
Nivanthi Karunaratne – horn
Katie Bannister – trumpet
Ollie Plant – trombone
Archie McVicar – tuba
Mark Zang – piano
Aisha Palmer – harp
Julie Scheuren – percussion

Instrument Chairs are kindly supported by David Burke & Valerie Graham (Clarinet), Michelle Crowe Hernandez & Christian Hernandez (Tuba), John & Sam Dawson (Percussion), Marie Power (Piano), Judy Wrightson & Tony Llewellyn (Violin), Nigel Phipps & Amanda McDowall (oboe).

What our Future Firsts say:

I felt welcome and valued, it was a perfect environment to learn and thrive. I thoroughly enjoy the year and every moment in the FFF programme!

Future First 2022/23

It’s given me a huge foothold in this industry and really helped me to become a confident orchestral musician.

Future First 2021/22

It’s really given me an insight of what it’s like to have a job in an orchestra which is an invaluable experience. I’ve loved the way that the LPO players value the Future Firsts and how welcoming they’ve been.

Future First 2021/22

If you have any questions please contact Lowri Thomas, Education & Community Project Manager on 020 7840 4203 or [email protected]

Email us:

[email protected]

Get in touch to discuss supporting a Foyle Future First Chair. Contact:

Rosie Morden - Individual Giving Manager