Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Fellowship Program

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) is pleased to welcome applicants to the new ASO Fellowship Program. This Fellowship is an excellence-based training program for exceptional early-career/post-graduate symphonic musicians representing historically underrepresented populations in American orchestras. The Fellows will perform regularly in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, gaining invaluable on-the-job experience. The program provides a stipend to the participants, mentorship from ASO musicians, and funding for professional development opportunities and participating in orchestra auditions. Its goal is to prepare these musicians to compete for, and win, positions in major professional orchestras.

The Fellowship is inspired by our vision to work together toward a more equitable and diverse future within our organization and community, ultimately serving as a leader in the field. For nearly 30 years, the Atlanta Symphony has been preparing Black and Hispanic/Latine high school musicians for music school and/or conservatory through our nationally acclaimed Talent Development Program. The new ASO Fellowship Program will provide training and mentorship for the next leg of the musical journey.

This program is made possible thanks to the support of an anonymous donor, Accenture, The Thalia & Michael C. Carlos Foundation, Inc., and The Thalia and Michael C. Carlos Advised Fund.

Program Eligibility
The ASO Fellowship Program is open to all string, woodwind, brass, and percussion instrumentalists who have graduated from college, university, or conservatory, and are from populations traditionally underrepresented in American symphony orchestras. That includes but is not limited to musicians of Black, Hispanic/Latine, Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander descent. Candidates may currently hold a position in another orchestra. Fellows will be selected through a screening and audition process. Proof of vaccination will be required for all applicants selected to attend the final audition.

Responsibilities & Requirements

• Inaugural Fellows will be required to serve a two-year term (January 2023 – June 2024). Please note that the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra season runs from September to the end of June, with a break in July and August.
• Fellows will rehearse and perform with the ASO for a minimum of 25 weeks per season, with the possibility of additional performance weeks.
• Each season, the Fellows will focus on personal growth and development activities for 12 weeks, including but not limited to 12 coaching/individual lessons, three mock auditions, and one audition.
• Residency in Atlanta is required for the duration of the Fellowship (except for the July/August break).

Compensation

• Base compensation for ASO Fellows starts at $50,000, plus benefits.
• Each ASO Fellow will receive up to 12 one-hour private lessons/coaching from an ASO musician each season.
• Each ASO Fellow will receive a one-time relocation payment of $2,000 for those moving to Atlanta from outside the area.
• ASO Fellows will also be offered transportation assistance to attend up to two auditions per year for full-time employment with other U.S. orchestras.

Applications will be accepted through October 31, 2022 at 11:59pm Eastern time. There is no application fee for this program.

To apply for the ASO Fellowship Program, please:

1. Complete the online application form.
2. Upload a photo of yourself.
3. Upload a current one-page résumé.
4. Record and upload a video audition (please begin the audition by stating your name).

Applications are no longer being accepted for the inaugural two-year term.

Video Audition Requirements

• Audition videos must be shot in one continuous take and include all required solos and excerpts for your instrument in the order they are listed. (see "Video Round Repertoire List" below)
• The repertoire, including any required solos or concertos, should be performed solo, without piano accompaniment.
• No editing or sound enhancements of any kind are permitted.
• Audition videos suspected of being edited or otherwise enhanced will be disqualified.
• Please begin the audition by stating your name.

General Video Guidelines
Musicians of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will review all submitted video auditions. Please supply high-quality video recordings that are the best possible representation of your technical ability, tone quality and musicianship. Below are a few guidelines:

• The video frame should include your entire face, your instrument, and a full range of motion while you are playing. Videos submitted without full visibility will not be considered.
• Good sound quality will help the judges get the most accurate sense of your music-making, tone and timbre. However, professional equipment and studio space are not necessary. With attention to detail, a successful audition video can be made with consumer-level electronics.
• Please consider the room/environment in which the video will be recorded. Avoid recording near windows or in rooms with excessive external noises.
• Begin the audition by stating your name. Please do not speak for the remainder of the recording – simply play through the repertoire in the order listed.
• Before submitting your audition video, please watch and listen to check audio levels and visual presentation.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Fellowship Program Audition
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) will accept applications beginning October 3, 2022, for the inaugural ASO Fellowship Program. The program is open to all string, woodwind, brass, and percussion instrumentalists who have graduated from college, university, or conservatory, and are from populations traditionally underrepresented in American orchestras, including but not limited to Black, Hispanic/Latine, Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander descent. Three ASO Fellows may be chosen to begin in January 2023.

Video audition application deadline: 11:59pm Eastern Time on Monday, October 31, 2022. There is no application fee for this program.

Final audition date for selected applicants: December 14, 2022, at Atlanta Symphony Hall, Atlanta, GA. Finalists will receive round-trip domestic transportation and one night's accommodation.

Questions: For questions, please email auditions@atlantasymphony.org. Please include "Fellowship Audition" in the subject line of your email. Thank you!

About the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra unites, educates, and enriches our community through the engaging and transformative power of orchestral music experiences. The core of our passion is the rich history of symphonic repertoire spanning centuries. We honor this body of work by holding ourselves to the highest artistic aspirations, bringing it to life in new and exciting ways. While we pay homage to the great masters, we also seek out new voices that speak to our contemporary landscape. As we perform, we engage the diverse international community of our city, bringing people together in harmony – including our youngest citizens, with extensive opportunities for youth and families to fall in love with music.