Funding

Salary

Program dates

Sep 7, 2026 – Sep 3, 2028

Fellowship•USA · Pittsburgh

Paul J. Ross Fellowship Program

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

Application Deadline

Closed · February 1, 2026

Reopens ~Feb 2027

Official Page

The Paul J. Ross Fellowship Program places early-career orchestral musicians inside the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for two consecutive seasons. Fellows rehearse and perform with the orchestra, work with PSO musicians as mentors, and prepare for professional orchestra auditions.

The program is named after Paul J. Ross, the violinist who in 1965 became the first African American musician to hold a full-time PSO contract. It began in the 2007–08 season under an earlier name and was renamed and expanded in December 2021.

Fellows are based in Pittsburgh, are paid on the orchestra weekly scale, and take part in the PSO education and community programs across the city.

Benefits & funding

  • Minimum annual pay equal to 21 weeks at the orchestra weekly scale; the 2026–27 season figure is $49,248.15, with the 2027–28 rate set later.
  • Additional pay at one-eighth of the orchestra weekly scale for each service beyond 112 in a season.
  • Up to $8,000 per season reimbursed for auditions, lessons, travel and other professional development.
  • A $1,000 taxable relocation payment on moving to Pittsburgh and another on leaving.
  • Medical, dental, instrument, life and accident insurance through PSO plans.
  • Mentorship from PSO musicians, mock auditions, practice space at Heinz Hall, permission to observe PSO auditions, and a possible solo appearance with the orchestra.
  • A minimum of 100 services per season across Grand Classics, Pops, education and community outreach programs.

Eligibility

  • Musicians who identify as part of one or more social identity groups underrepresented in orchestral classical music; a written statement on this is part of the application.
  • Aged between 18 and 35 on 1 September 2026.
  • A completed bachelor’s degree by 1 September 2026.
  • Eligible for employment in the United States; nationality itself is not restricted, but work authorization is required.
  • Willing to clear a background check and follow PSO employee policies and musician work rules.
  • The 2026 cycle accepted violin, viola, cello, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet and percussion.

Can you apply?

Here's who can apply

Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.

  • Education required

    Bachelor

  • Age requirement

    18–35 yrs

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Application process

  1. 1
    Complete the PSO online application form for the cycle.
  2. 2
    Attach a one-page performance resume.
  3. 3
    Record the pieces on the published recording repertoire list, audio only, with no accompaniment and no spoken introductions.
  4. 4
    Submit the written statement about social identity.
  5. 5
    Send everything in by the cycle deadline — 1 February for the 2026 cycle, extended from 15 January.
  6. 6
    Wait for the finalist decision, which went out on 17 February 2026 in the last cycle.
  7. 7
    Play the final live audition at Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh.

Program timeline

  1. Original application deadline for the 2026 cycle

    Jan 15, 2026

  2. Extended application deadline

    Feb 1, 2026

  3. Finalists notified

    Feb 17, 2026

  4. Live auditions at Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh

    Mar 24, 2026 to Mar 28, 2026

  5. Two-year fellowship begins

    Sep 7, 2026

  6. Fellowship ends

    Sep 3, 2028

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