Chicago Symphony Orchestra Fellowship Program — Fellowship

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Fellowship Program places early-career string players inside a major American orchestra for a full season. Fellows rehearse and perform with the CSO for 20 weeks between September and August, under the same contractual working conditions as the orchestra’s extra and substitute musicians.

The program launched in the 2022/23 season and is aimed at violinists and cellists who have overcome adversity on their path into classical performance. The CSO states the goal as preparing these musicians for auditions at leading orchestras.

That goal shapes the package: alongside the playing weeks, fellows get private lessons from CSO members and funded travel to audition elsewhere.

Benefits & funding

Compensation of US$66,000–US$76,200 per season before statutory deductions, depending on the number of services played.
20 weeks of rehearsals and performances with the CSO each season, between September and August.
Up to 10 private one-hour lessons per season with a CSO member.
Air transportation or mileage reimbursement for the initial move to Chicago, plus a one-time relocation payment of US$2,500.
Transportation assistance to attend up to two auditions per year for full-time positions with other U.S. orchestras.
No application fee. Finalists receive round-trip domestic transportation and up to two nights’ accommodation.

Eligibility

Early-career violinists and cellists who are attending, or have graduated from, a college, university or conservatory.
Applicants who have overcome adversity on their path into the performing arts — the CSO names financial hardship, professional setback, cultural barriers and discrimination as examples.
U.S. citizenship, permanent U.S. residency, or an O-1 or OPT visa held at the time of application. Any nationality holding one of these statuses qualifies.
Membership in good standing of the American Federation of Musicians, or willingness to join the AFM if accepted.
No age limit, gender requirement or minimum years of experience is published.

Can you apply?

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Residence required
USA
Education required
Bachelor Enrolled · Bachelor · Master Enrolled · Master · PhD Enrolled · PhD

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Application process

1
Wait for the cycle to open; the most recent cycle opened on 1 January.
2
Obtain the published audition repertoire — the CSO requires candidates to source it themselves from standard excerpt books or purchasable music.
3
Record and submit the video audition through the CSO’s Acceptd application portal before the deadline (11:59 p.m. Central Time on 23 March in the 2026/27 cycle).
4
Selected applicants play a final live audition at Symphony Center in Chicago (27 April in the 2026/27 cycle).
5
Fellows join the AFM and relocate to Chicago for a season that runs September to August.

Program timeline

Applications open for the 2026/27 season.
Jan 1, 2026
Video audition deadline, 11:59 p.m. Central Time.
Mar 23, 2026
Final live auditions at Symphony Center, Chicago.
Apr 27, 2026
2026-09
Season begins; fellows play 20 weeks between September and August.
Fall 2026
The CSO expects to publish audition information for the 2027/28 season.