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Fellowships
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CHICAGO SINFONIETTA - Freeman Fellowship
The Freeman Fellowship program (formerly Project Inclusion) is Chicago Sinfonietta’s groundbreaking program where talent and mentorship converge to develop diverse conductors and administrators on and off-stage. What was created by Sinfonietta’s founder Paul Freeman to help eliminate institutional bias due to factors such as ethnicity, race, and socioeconomic status has since broadened to tackle matters of diversity and inclusion from every angle. Today, we offer three multifaceted, professional development fellowships to conductors, arts administrators, and composers.
Chicago Sinfonietta is dedicated to changing the face of classical music; Freeman Fellowships help make this change possible.
CITYMUSIC CLEVELAND
For nearly fifteen years, CityMusic Cleveland has enriched the cultural life of Northeast Ohio. Our mission is to present first-rate classical music concerts to new audiences in underserved communities by removing the twin barriers of high ticket prices and intimidating venues. In addition, we aim to bring awareness to societal issues, through concert programming, that impact our community, for example, the plight of refugees, child homelessness and cultural acceptance.
In the spirit of our socially-focused mission, we believe that our orchestra should reflect the communities in which we serve. To that end, CityMusic Cleveland announces our inaugural Diversity Fellowship for the 2022-23 season. Our goal is to encourage greater racial and cultural diversity and celebrate the contributions and achievements of underrepresented African-American, Latino American and Native American artists in the orchestral field.
CSO/CCM DIVERSITY FELLOWSHIP
Driven by a mutual desire to create a more inclusive environment in the orchestral industry, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) have embarked on the CSO/CCM Diversity Fellowship Program. The Fellowship provides an opportunity for graduate level musicians from underrepresented populations to participate in a specialized two-year program. This educational opportunity consists of frequent performances with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, focused mentorship by CSO musicians, audition and professional workshops by top international guest teachers, audition travel stipends and simultaneous enrollment in a Master of Music (MM) or Artist Diploma (AD) degree program. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation funds the CSO/CCM Diversity Fellowship Program.
DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AFRICAN AMERICAN FELLOWSHIP
Starting over 30 years ago, the DSO’s African American Fellowship (AAF) program regularly offers instrumental fellowships for professional performance experience, development, and advanced training to African American musicians from anywhere in the United States. The DSO desires to be reflective and inclusive of Detroit's population demographics (78% African American), and this fellowship is designed for aspiring orchestral musicians. The AAF contract is issued for one season, with possible renewal for a second season. Fellows function as professional orchestra members, taking part in rehearsals and performances, with additional focus on training and preparing for professional auditions.
FAIRFAX SYMPHONY DIVERSITY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (FSO) Fellowship Program encourages greater racial and cultural diversity in the orchestra field by helping to provide meaningful opportunities for talented minority musicians to achieve their full potential. Open to higher education level string students and recent graduates (violin, viola, cello, and double bass), the FSO Diversity Fellowship supports musical development and helps advance careers.
Up to five Fellows are selected for this one-year, paid program focusing on artistic excellence, career development, immersive mentorship, and performance opportunities. At the conclusion of the season, Fellows will have a wide variety of experiences on which to draw to help guide their music careers.
GRANT PARK MUSIC FESTIVAL - STRING AND VOCAL FELLOWSHIPS
Grant Park Music Festival's String and Vocal Fellowships are a unique paid training opportunity for emerging artists aimed at increasing diversity and guiding young professionals toward successful careers in music. Each year outstanding young musicians are selected by the Festival in a competitive national audition to rehearse and perform within the ranks of the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus, and receive one-on-one mentoring from seasoned professionals. Fellows participate in masterclasses with world-renowned guest artists, perform in high profile recitals and in community performances in parks across Chicago. Fellows also serve as guest teaching artists with our Classical Campers program and gain valuable experience in public speaking, ensemble work, marketing, wellness, and the management of a busy music career.
IRIS ARTIST FELLOWS PROGRAM (IAF Program)
The Iris Artist Fellowship Program is a ten-month, full-time position including professional training with instruction, in-the-field experience, and network-building. It is designed to assist rising musicians develop a portfolio of skills with which to build successful careers in music.
The residency provides hands-on training and experience in teaching artistry, chamber music, and orchestral performance with coaching from guest conductors, resident and visiting artists, and education specialists. With a focus on impacting the Greater Memphis community, the Fellowship emphasizes youth development, community building projects, and collaborations. Iris Artist Fellows bring positive change to schools and other organizations in under-resourced communities by participating in community engagement programs that focus on social and emotional learning through music, mentorship, inspiration, and social equity.
LOS ANGELES CHAMBER ORCHESTRA FELLOWSHIP
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Fellowship is a multi-year program sponsored by Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) that engages members of historically underrepresented groups in western classical music ensembles with work for hire and professional development opportunities.
The LACO Fellowship began in 2017 and is comprised of several mutually agreeable weeks of work with LACO consisting of orchestral services, chamber music coaching and concerts, mentorship sessions, a recital, mock auditions, and teaching artist opportunities through LACO’s Meet the Music initiatives and with ICYOLA. There is a $5500.00 annual minimum guarantee, and the program does not require the musicians to live in Los Angeles. Should a candidate choose to reside outside of LA County, LACO will provide travel and housing for the weeks in which the fellow is a resident artist. The LACO Fellowship also provides financial support for participating musicians to take auditions and accept work with other orchestras. Fellows are compensated under the LACO CBA and are required to join the AFM as part of the program with any associated costs covered by LACO.
LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC ASSOCIATION
Designed to support up to five early-career symphonic musicians representing or serving historically underrepresented populations, this paid LA Phil fellowship focuses on artistic excellence, career development, and immersive orchestra mentorship through a 1-3 year appointment as a musician playing with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS/MEMPHIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Funded by The University of Memphis and the MSO’s Circle of Friends, the UofM/MSO Fellowship is a prestigious performance fellowship program for exceptional string players. The program provides an unparalleled two-year learning experience for graduate and post-graduate violin, viola, and cello players coming from African American and Latino communities that are historically underrepresented in classical music. The program will accept up to four qualifying Fellows, who will receive a full-tuition scholarship while enrolled in Master of Music, Doctor of Musical Arts, or Artist Diploma programs, and $8,000 per season while performing with the MSO. Fellows will study with the string faculty of the University of Memphis and serve as Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music ambassadors in the Memphis community.
With the MSO, fellows will perform a minimum of five concert cycles per and will participate in additional performances in solo and chamber setting for community engagement and education; and will have direct access, and apprenticeship opportunities, with the MSO music director and conducting staff, instrumentalists, CEO and administrative staff, MSO Board members, and members of the MSO Circle of Friends. The MSO Circle of Friends was founded as a women's philanthropic initiative that recognizes the importance of people from different social networks coming together to work as an instrument of intentional inclusion through the performing arts. In addition to intensive study with University of Memphis string faculty, fellows will be paired with MSO mentors throughout their fellowship term, and will have the opportunity to perform as a string quartet with the other fellowship participants. Faculty and mentors will provide guidance for fellows throughout the duration of their degree and fellowship.
MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA FELLOWSHIP
A two-year program designed to enhance the orchestral careers of African American, Latino American and Native American musicians and to encourage greater racial and cultural diversity in the orchestral field.
NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE (NAC) ORCHESTRA MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
The NAC Orchestra Mentorship Program is a three-week one-on-one professional development opportunity for emerging and early-career orchestral musicians in Ottawa, Canada's capital city. Each instrumental participant will be paired with an NAC Orchestra musician for the duration of the program, with whom they will share a desk during rehearsals and performances of two main-series public concert programs under the baton of the NAC’s Music Director.
International orchestral instrumentalists and conductors are invited to apply.
Most expenses are covered and each participant receives an honorarium.
SPHINX ORCHESTRAL FUTURIST FELLOWSHIP & RESIDENCY PROGRAM
The National Orchestral Institute + Festival (NOI+F) in partnership with the National Philharmonic and The Sphinx Organization offer a fellowship and residency program that combines arts administration, orchestral performance, music curation and community engagement. Building on NOI+F’s existing Orchestral Futurist Fellowship, the National Philharmonic offers each fellow the opportunity to expand their work into a second year through a professional residency with the National Philharmonic.
Year 1 (Orchestral Futurist Fellowship):
The Orchestral Futurist Fellow begins with a summer fellowship at the NOI+F, assisting with the Youth Mentorship Program (YMP) and playing a leadership role in the NOI+F Philharmonic. Following their first summer at the institute, they will begin a year-long artistic and administrative collaboration with the programming staff of The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center in support of the Youth Mentorship Program and K-12 New Music project. The fellow is accepted by application and chosen jointly by NOI+F, National Philharmonic and The Sphinx Organization. The fellow will work remotely with general responsibilities ranging from 10-12 hours per month, excluding participation in the festival and any site visits.
Year 2 (Orchestral Futurist in Residence):
Following the conclusion of their first year with NOI+F, the fellow will be offered a professional residency with the National Philharmonic where they will be an important member of the NatPhil team. During the residency, the Orchestral Futurist in Residence (OFIR) will have the opportunity to continue their work in the communities the National Philharmonic supports. The OFIR’s one season tenure with NatPhil focuses on growing their artistic project into a sustainable effort through customized mentorship and training opportunities that align with their goals, while supporting the Youth Mentorship Program during the NatPhil season.
NEW HAVEN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA – HARMONY FELLOWSHIP
The New Haven Symphony Orchestra’s Harmony Fellowship for Underrepresented Musicians is a two-year Fellowship program for promising, diverse violinists, violists, and cellists pursuing an orchestral career. The NHSO strongly encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds including but not limited to, diverse racial, ethnic, socio-economic and geographic backgrounds that are traditionally under-represented in orchestras. Fellows will rehearse and perform with the orchestra and receive other career development benefits including mentoring and audition preparation, as well as Education/Community Engagement training with supervised experiences.
NEW JERSEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA - COLTON FELLOWSHIPS
The New Jersey Symphony Colton Fellowships are excellence-based programs designed to support early-career Black and/or Latino musicians and early-career conductors representing populations that historically have been marginalized. These initiatives continue the New Jersey Symphony’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
New Jersey Symphony Colton Fellowship
The Colton Fellowship will support up to two fellows per year to participate in New Jersey Symphony performances, receive mentorship and engage with the community. For the 2023–24 season, the Colton Fellowship was held by violinist Jesus Saenz and cellist Max Oppeltz.
To be considered for the Fellowship, eligible candidates must submit an application. Invited candidates will display artistic excellence through an audition and discuss their commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the arts during a short interview. The application window for the 2024–25 New Jersey Symphony Colton Fellowship has since passed. Winning fellows will be announced later this year.
New Jersey Symphony Colton Conducting Fellowship
The Colton Conducting Fellowship is an excellence-based program designed to support early-career orchestral conductors representing populations that have historically been underrepresented on the podium. The selected fellow will work under the Music Director, serving as cover conductor on Classical programs and conducting select programs as assigned. For the 2023–24 season, the Colton Conducting Fellowship was held by Jessica Rivero Altarriba. The application window for the 2024–25 New Jersey Symphony Colton Conducting Fellowship has passed. The winning conducting fellow will be announced later this year.
PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA - PAUL J. ROSS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
The Paul J. Ross Fellowship Program is a two-year program designed to enable musicians identifying as Black or African American to dedicate themselves to the pursuit of an orchestral career. Fellows work closely alongside members of the Pittsburgh Symphony to train and prepare for professional auditions and opportunities, with substantial financial and professional development support, and robust mentorship in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
The Paul J. Ross Fellowship is named in honor of the late Paul J. Ross, the violinist who, in 1965, was the first African American musician to receive a full-time contract from the Pittsburgh Symphony. The legacy of Paul J. Ross is notable for nurturing, mentoring, and supporting young musicians, and his devotion to sharing his joy of music. Formerly known as OTPAAM (Orchestra Training Program for African American Musicians), the fellowship program was begun in the 2007-2008 season to promote diversity in orchestra settings to better reflect the diverse communities and audiences the orchestra serves.
THE STOCKTON SYMPHONY FELLOWSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM
The Stockton Symphony Fellowship Training program is a one-year program for promising violinist coming from diverse backgrounds who are pursuing an orchestral career. This program will offer those accepted 36 paid services, coaching sessions with section players, and access to Stockton Symphony players for mock auditions.
VIRGINIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA - VSO AFRICAN AMERICAN FELLOWSHIP
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra has created a new African American Fellowship Program for four early-career orchestral string musicians to advance the goal of increased diversity of orchestral musicians nationwide. This is a continuation of the VSO’s equity, diversity and inclusion initiative. Fellows will perform from September through May as part of the VSO in over 100 services throughout eastern Virginia and engage in public school residencies and educational performances. Professional development opportunities, including private lessons and mentorship, will better equip Fellows to succeed in their careers as performers and educators. Through these activities, Fellows will receive a graduate certificate in performance from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.
WISCONSIN CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC FELLOWSHIP IN TEACHING ARTISTRY
Intended for early-career Black and Latine artists in classical music, fellows commit to working for a period of one year at WCM, with an option for renewal in the second year.