The Resident Fellowship places one early-career musician inside the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra as a salaried, full-time player for the 2027–2028 season. The orchestra runs it from Music Hall in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The fellow rehearses and performs alongside CSO members, works through a personalized Career Development Plan, coaches high school musicians, and attends Sphinx Connect. The stated purpose is to prepare the fellow to win national auditions at major symphonic orchestras.
The seat is open to violin, viola, cello, horn, trombone and percussion players who have finished a college, university or conservatory degree by September 2027. One season is the standard appointment, renewable for a second.
Benefits & funding
- Weekly salary of $2,590.44 for the 2027–2028 season, over no less than 35 weeks of full-time employment.
- Minimum annual salary of $90,665.40, paid across twelve months.
- American Federation of Musicians pension contributions, plus health, dental, disability, life and instrument insurance.
- Employment runs September through May, with the possibility of renewal for a second season.
- A personalized Career Development Plan, work alongside CSO members, chances to mentor and coach high school musicians, and attendance at Sphinx Connect.
- Travel to the live semi-final and final rounds is paid by the CSO.
Eligibility
- Early-career symphonic musicians who have graduated from a college, university or conservatory by September 2027.
- Open to violin, viola, cello, horn, trombone and percussion.
- Demonstrated commitment to access and inclusion of underserved populations in the arts, learning and civic leadership.
- Musicians who already hold a position in another orchestra may apply and should be ready to take a leave of absence if selected.
- The selected fellow must be willing to join American Federation of Musicians Local #1.
- No nationality, residency or age limit is published. Applicants are themselves responsible for holding authorization to work full time in the United States by 31 May 2027.
Can you apply?
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Education required
Bachelor
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Application process
- 1Apply through the CSO recruiting portal linked from the fellowship page; the 2027–2028 cycle opened on 1 September 2026.
- 2Provide biographical information, including institutions attended, degrees earned and graduation dates.
- 3Upload a one-page performance résumé covering orchestral, chamber, solo and other engagements.
- 4Write a statement of interest on why you are applying, what you expect to gain, how the fellowship fits your career goals, and your commitment to community engagement.
- 5Record and submit the audition repertoire published for your instrument.
- 6Preliminary rounds are judged from the submitted audio between 12 October and 8 November 2026.
- 7Advancing candidates are invited to live semi-final and final rounds with interviews on 1–2 February 2027 in Cincinnati, with travel covered.
Program timeline
Applications open for the 2027–2028 season
Sep 1, 2026
Application deadline
Sep 30, 2026
Preliminary round, submitted recordings reviewed
Oct 12, 2026 to Nov 8, 2026
Semi-final and final rounds with interviews in Cincinnati
Feb 1, 2027 to Feb 2, 2027
Date by which United States work authorization must be held
May 31, 2027
Fellowship season begins
September 2027
Fellowship season ends
May 2028