Sønderjyllands Symfoniorkester offers a “Job Guarantee”

As a new initiative, Sønderjyllands Symfoniorkester is offering a form of limited “job guarantee” to newly graduated candidates with an orchestral instrument degree from the Royal Academy of Music Aarhus/Aalborg and the Royal Danish Academy of Music.

The orchestra’s idea is to help graduates enter the job market and give them an opportunity to gain professional experience immediately after completing their education.

Students who are about to finish their studies in, for example, violin, bassoon, or trumpet can submit an application toward the end of their final academic year. The orchestra will then select the candidates needed. These candidates are offered a short-term, fixed-duration contract without a prior audition, which is normally required to be employed in an orchestra. A collectively agreed salary is paid during the contract period. The orchestra can even assist with finding accommodation during the period, with any necessary work permits, and with Danish language courses if needed.

The Sønderjyllands Symfoniorkester calls the offer a “job guarantee,” inspired by the University of Southern Denmark, which uses a similar model where its engineering students are offered limited employment with local companies such as Danfoss or SAAB after graduation—to retain and attract young people to the region.

At the Royal Academy of Music Aarhus/Aalborg, we are very pleased with this new collaboration with Sønderjyllands Symfoniorkester; it is a great support for our graduates as they begin their professional careers.