From the first exams to the final applause. Academy Kroměříž completed its 9th year
Eight days of intensive teaching, rehearsals, concerts and joint meetings culminated in the Chamber Hall of the Archbishop's Palace. The final concert of Academy Kroměříž 2026 belonged to selected students and the Academic Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Tomáš Netopil.
The final concert is one of the strongest moments of the Academy Kroměříž every year. It brings together on one stage everything that has happened in the classrooms and rehearsal rooms during the previous days – the talent of young musicians, intensive work with lecturers, new experiences and shared joy of music.
The first part of the evening belonged to selected Academy students. Solo performances were presented by violist Valentýna Burešová, pianist Vivi Nguyen, soprano Natálie Šmausová, violinist Aijia Li, baritone Jonatan Müller and cellist Klára Gabryšová . Chamber music was represented by the Rogalska Quartet . Piano collaboration from the students was provided by Anton Aslamas . For young performers, the opportunity to present themselves in front of an audience is an important part of the entire week. In addition to working on master classes, they also gain valuable concert experience.
An orchestra that is created for a single evening
The second part of the concert belonged to the Academic Chamber Orchestra under the leadership of the conductor and artistic director of the Academy Kroměříž, Tomáš Netopil.
Its uniqueness lies in its very creation. Every year it is formed by different students who have only a few days to get to know each other not only as people, but above all musically. They must learn to listen to each other, react to each other and gradually create a common sound of the orchestra.
This year they have studied together Ralph Vaughan Williams' Fantasy on Greensleeves for strings and piano and Gustav Holst's St Paul's Suite Op. 29 No. 2.
The result of several days of joint work filled the Chamber Hall with soft and full sound and brought an energetic conclusion to the entire festival week. The young musicians could be felt not only concentration and precision during the concert, but also the joy of playing together.
Music that unites
It is precisely the joint work in the Academic Orchestra that demonstrates one of the important ideas of the Academy Kroměříž. Master classes are not only about individual instruction and improving technique. Meeting, mutual inspiration, and the experience of making music together are equally important.
In just one week, new professional and personal bonds are formed between the students. At the final concert, it was clear that the stage was no longer a group of individuals who barely knew each other a few days ago, but musicians who had learned to work together.
And an equally important part of the evening was the audience. The packed Chamber Hall created a warm and supportive atmosphere for the young performers and rewarded their performance with a long round of applause.
The dot after the 9th grade
The evening traditionally ended with the ceremonial announcement of the laureates and special awards of the Academy Kroměříž 2026.
The final note ended not only the concert, but also the eight days of this year's Academy. We will not hear the 2026 Academic Chamber Orchestra in the same composition again - it was created for a single year and a single final evening.
But the experiences, new impulses, friendships, and shared musical experiences that students take away from Kroměříž remain.
We thank the students, lecturers, partners, supporters and the audience who were part of the 9th year of Academy Kroměříž.
We look forward to seeing you from August 12th to 19th at the 10th anniversary event.
