The Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s African American Orchestra Fellowship builds the careers of African American orchestral musicians through a season inside the orchestra in Detroit.
Fellows play in the orchestra, spend alternate weeks in coaching and audition training, take mock auditions and serve the DSO’s education work. The last published call (2020–21) closed in December 2019, and the application form still shows as closed.
Benefits & funding
- 18 paid weeks with the orchestra: US$41,184 in 2020–21 (US$2,288 a week).
- 18 weeks of individual lessons, with a US$1,800 lesson stipend in 2020–21 (US$100 a week).
- Travel assistance for invited finalists and for at least one outside audition.
- Season runs September to June; no pay terms are published after 2020–21.
Eligibility
- African American musicians who play an orchestral instrument.
- 2020–21 instruments: violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute/piccolo, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, tenor trombone, percussion.
- No degree, age or experience requirement is published.
- Fellows must be in Detroit for the season and complete at least three DSO mock auditions, at least one outside audition, and service to the education department.
Can you apply?
Check who can apply
No nationality, residency, education, experience, gender or age limit is listed. The other conditions are under Eligibility.
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Application process
- 1Wait for a new call; the DSO application form currently shows as closed.
- 2Record the excerpts and solo repertoire set for your instrument in the guidelines, without stating your name.
- 3Submit the online form, a current résumé and the audio files by the deadline.
- 4Invited candidates play blind live finals at Orchestra Hall, Detroit.
Program timeline
Last published deadline (2020–21 cycle).
Dec 2, 2019
Finals invitations sent.
Dec 20, 2019
Live finals in Detroit.
Mar 9, 2020
Fellowship season.
2020-09 to 2021-06
Next cycle
not announced.