San Francisco Conservatory of Music Offers New Fellowship

The school is offering a one-year fellowship for Black string players and composers including opportunities with the San Francisco Ballet

The San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) partnered with the San Francisco Ballet and the San Francisco Symphony to offer two exciting opportunities for Black string players and composers. They are the one-year Denis de Coteau Fellowship (for performers) and the Emerging Black Composers Project.

Named for one of the first Black music directors of a major American orchestra, the Denis de Coteau Fellowship provides the opportunity for a Black string player to complete the one-year Professional Studies Certificate in Instrumental Performance at the SFCM.

Throughout the program, the selected player will also receive a $15,000 stipend to work with the San Francisco Ballet. To help bridge the transition from study into full-time work, the candidate will partake in approximately 25 calls, as well as receive coaching with audition preparation from members of the orchestra.

Applications should be received by January 2, 2023.

Meanwhile, Black composers aged 35 or under should consider applying for the SFCM's second annual Emerging Composers Project. The winner will receive a prize of $15,000, as well as the opportunity to have their new work premiered by the San Francisco Symphony.

In addition, they will receive mentoring from the San Francisco Symphony's Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen, SFCM Music Director Edwin Outwater, and Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, the resident conductor of engagement and education at SF Symphony and chair of the EBCP selection committee.

Applications for the project can be made here and should be received by February 1, 2023.

You can hear the 2021 winners of the Emerging Black Composers Project speaking about the experience below.