Calling Musicians Worldwide: Perform Live in Paris at the 2025 BMF Music Festival for the Blind – at the Main Auditorium (Room I) of the UNESCO House, Paris, France

Calling Musicians Worldwide: Perform Live in Paris at the 2025 BMF Music Festival for the Blind – at the Main Auditorium (Room I) of the UNESCO House, Paris, France

2025 BMF International Symphony Orchestra Volunteer Member
General Information and Regulations

​1. Event Overview:

Join the BMF International Symphony Orchestra as a volunteer performer at the 2025 BMF International Music Festival for the Blind at the Main Auditorium (Room I) of the UNESCO House, Paris, France.

The festival will feature distinguished blind musicians performing as soloists alongside the full orchestra, including guitarist Ioana Gandrabur, pianist Yerko Difonis, and soprano Valérie Poisson. This event will showcase the extraordinary abilities of visually impaired musicians, bringing their talent to the global stage alongside a professional orchestra. With representatives from 195 UNESCO member states among the invited guests, the festival will be broadcast live worldwide and covered by leading media outlets, offering an opportunity to perform for a truly global audience.

2. Event Details:

• Orchestra Rehearsal: 
  
  • Date: Monday, September 15, 2025
    Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Paris time)
    Location: TBA, near the UNESCO House, Paris, France
    
• Stage Rehearsal:
  
  • Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
    Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Paris time)
    Location: UNESCO House, Room I
    125 Avenue de Suffren, Paris 7th, France 
    
• Performance:
  
  • Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
    Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Paris time)
    Location: UNESCO House, Room I
    ​125 Avenue de Suffren, Paris 7th, France
    

Explore the Event on the UNESCO Cultural Calendar:
UNESCO – BMF International Music Festival for the Blind

3. Who Should Apply?
This opportunity is open to all professional orchestral instrumentalists, aged 20 and above, of any nationality. While the position is voluntary, selected musicians will have the privilege of performing at one of the world’s most prestigious cultural venues.

4. Please Note: 
​2025 BMF International Symphony Orchestra Volunteer Members are participating on a voluntary basis.

• Travel & Expenses: Participants are responsible for their own travel, lodging, meal expenses, and all other related expenses, including health and instrumental insurances, if applicable.
• BMF Support: A light dinner will be provided after the stage rehearsal on September 16, 2025, before the evening performance.
• Selection Process:  Applications will be reviewed by BMF Advisory Members, prominent music school faculty, and the BMF Artist Director. Final decisions regarding orchestra positions, including principal roles, will be made by the selection committee.
• Offer & Contract: Selected musicians will receive an offer by June 9, 2025. The deadline to accept the offer and sign the contract is June 15, 2025.

5. Repertoire (Subject to Change):

• Joaquín Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez II. Adagio
• Vincenzo Bellini: “O quante volte” from Capuleti and Montecchi
• Sergei Lyapunov: Piano Concerto No. 2 in E Major, Op. 38
• Felix Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 5 in D Major “Reformation” (IV. Andante Con Moto - Allegro Maestoso) – Arranged by renowned blind composer Chi Gook Kim (Berklee College of Music faculty member)

Conductor: Helen Cha / Concertmaster: Khullip Jeung / Violin I Principal: Jisun Kang

6. Application Process:

1. Complete the online application form: https://forms.gle/5MKi8mHrh9QySnuV6
2. Upload a recent headshot and professional resume.
3. Provide a link to a performance recording (recorded within the past year).

7. Key Dates:

• Application Deadline: May 31, 2025
• Email Notification to Selected Orchestra Members: June 9, 2025
• Contract Acceptance Deadline: June 15, 2025
• Announcement of Orchestra Members: June 16, 2025

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to make a difference through music, be part of a historic event, and contribute to a powerful message of hope and unity. Join us at the UNESCO House in Paris, France!

For any inquiries, please contact us at [email protected] or call +1-551-255-0570.