The Folkwang Kammerorchester Essen is a chamber orchestra historically formed mostly by students of the Folkwang University in Essen, Germany, and other Musikhochschulen in North Rhine-Westphalia, to prepare them for a future position in an orchestra; however, it currently employs a core of permanent members from all over Germany and the world.

Members are auditioned and trialed as in a professional orchestra, and, if successful, are offered a permanent contract up to the age of 35.

Artists such as Christoph Eschenbach, Maria Kliegel, Nils Mönkemeyer, Sabine Meyer, Vadim Repin and Christian Tetzlaff appeared with the orchestra early in their career.

[1] The orchestra is a regular partner of the Essener Bachchor [de] and has accompanied other choirs such as the Rheingauer Kantorei.

[3] Dressel was the first chief conductor, succeeded by Heribert Beissel, Alexander Schwinck, Karl-Heinz Bloemeke, Stefan Fraas and Achim Fiedler (from 2006).