African American Orchestra Fellowship — Fellowship

The African American Orchestra Fellowship places African American orchestral musicians inside the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for a full season. The DSO founded the program in 1990 to build the careers of African American classical players.

Fellows rehearse and perform with the orchestra in Detroit, work with coaches and mentors during alternate weeks, take part in mock auditions, and represent the DSO in the community.

The fellowship runs for one season and can be renewed for a second. Fellows appear on the DSO’s published artist roster alongside the contracted musicians.

Benefits & funding

18 weeks of paid performance with the orchestra; the last published cycle paid US$41,184 for those weeks, a weekly rate of US$2,288.
18 weeks of individual coaching in the alternate weeks; the last published cycle paid a lesson stipend of US$1,800, a weekly rate of US$100.
Coaching and mentoring from DSO musicians throughout the season.
At least three DSO mock auditions arranged for the fellow during the fellowship.
Access to observe DSO auditions and rehearsals.
One season, September to June, with possible renewal for a second season.
The DSO has not published financial terms for any cycle after 2020–21.

Eligibility

Open to African American musicians who play an orchestral instrument.
Instruments accepted in the last published cycle: violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute/piccolo, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, tenor trombone and percussion.
No degree, age, gender or minimum years of experience is published as a requirement.
The fellowship is played in person in Detroit across the September–June season.
Fellows commit to at least three DSO mock auditions, at least one audition outside the DSO, observing DSO auditions and rehearsals, and service to the education department.

Can you apply?

Open to all applicants

No nationality, residency, education, or experience limits are listed.

Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.

We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.

Application process

1
Wait for the DSO to open a cycle — the fellowship application form currently shows as closed.
2
Take the audition excerpt list and solo repertoire requirements for your instrument from the DSO fellowship guidelines.
3
Record professional-quality audio covering every listed excerpt plus the solo repertoire, and keep the recording anonymous.
4
Submit the fellowship application form, a current résumé and the audio files through the DSO’s JotForm application.
5
Invited candidates play live finals at Orchestra Hall in Detroit, behind a screen.

Program timeline

Application, résumé and recordings due for the 2020–21 cycle.
Dec 2, 2019
Candidates notified whether they are invited to the live finals.
Dec 20, 2019
Live finals at Orchestra Hall, Detroit.
Mar 9, 2020
Fellowship season.
2020-09 to 2021-06
Not published
dates for the next cycle; the application form currently shows as closed.