Virginia Symphony Orchestra Launches African American Fellowship [APPLY]

Inaugurated after a two-year planning period, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s (VSO) fellowship will chose four emerging African-American orchestral string players to participate in the iniative.

According to the press release, this program is a continuation of VSO’s commitment to serve their community and reflect the diversity of the Hampton Roads region of the U.S.

The first fellows for the initiative will join the VSO in fall 2022 and perform in over 100 rehearsals and performances with them throughout eastern Virginia.

They will also participate in public school residencies and educational performances, as well as engage in professional development opportunities, including private instrument instruction, mock auditions, and mentorship. 

From these activities, the candidates will receive nine university-level course credits from Norfolk, Virginia’s Old Dominion University (ODU) which can be tailored to each of their tertiary degrees. For those at a post-graduate level, the credits will result in a Graduate Certificate in Music Performance.

In addition, the four fellows will receive a stipend for their participation in VSO and other events; housing with a local host family; a monthly health insurance allowance; plus, a full scholarship to receive course credit from ODU.

“The F. Ludwig Diehn School of Music at ODU is excited to collaborate with the Virginia Symphony [for] this Fellowship Program,” said the school’s director, Nancy K. Klein. “Offering the Performer’s Certificate as part of the program will open doors for musicians to advance their training and education at the highest possible level.”

“This program is really a game-changer for the VSO and will open up opportunities for not only the Fellows but for everyone who comes in contact with the orchestra,” stated Karen Philion, VSO’s president and CEO. 

“The passion and energy of young musicians fuels all of us on stage, and we are incredibly grateful for the community support that makes this groundbreaking project possible,” added VSO Music Director Eric Jacobsen. “What we are doing here in Virginia will be a model for other orchestras nationwide.”

The fellowship is open to violinists, violists, cellists, and bassists who self-identify as Black. Applications will close on March 21, 2022. Live auditions will be held at ODU on April 4 and 5, 2022.  

For more information and the application process, click here. 

VSO serves a home area of 1.7 million across the diverse communities of southeastern Virginia. The ensemble have appeared at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall, plus, given over 150 concerts annually for more than 100,000 residents and visitors. 

ODU is Virginia’s leading public doctoral research university with around 23,500 students and academics, as well as a residential community and initiatives that contribute $2.6 billion to Virginia’s economy each year.