Application Deadline: Sunday, April 28, 2024
Live Audition Date: Saturday, May 18, 2024 at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
About the National Symphony Youth Fellowship Program:
The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) Youth Fellowship Program is an orchestral training program for students in grades 9-12 (younger musicians (gr. 6-8) may be considered on a special case-by-case basis). The performance-oriented program is designed for serious music students interested in pursuing orchestral music as a career, with the goal of providing them with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the 21st century music industry.
Open by audition only, this full-scholarship program provides students accepted into the program with the following:
Private lessons taught by a member of the NSO or Washington National Opera Orchestra (WNOO)*Chamber ensembles coached by NSO musiciansMaster classes and seminarsSide-by-side performance opportunity with the NSO (subject to instrument and additional recommendation)Attendance at selected rehearsals and performances of the NSOPerformance opportunities on the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage and within the community (solo and ensemble) Discussions with internationally renowned conductors, soloists, and musiciansPast NSO Youth Fellowship participants have gone on to achieve great success with orchestras, professional chamber ensembles, and arts organizations as musicians, arts educators and arts entrepreneurs. Orchestras throughout the country with graduate Youth Fellows include Philadelphia, Atlanta, Cleveland, Houston, Boston, Montreal and our own National Symphony Orchestra!
ELIGIBILITY
The Youth Fellowship program is open by audition to high school students entering grades 9-12 as of next September. Younger musicians (gr. 6-8) may be considered on a special case-by-case basis), and must submit an audition recording with the application prior to being invited for the live audition.Students must be seriously considering orchestral music as a career and be willing to devote themselves to a musical education by making a commitment to practice their instrument a minimum of 60-90 minutes per day.Open to all students in the area of the metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG): DC; MD—Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, Prince George's counties; VA—Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties. All students entering 6th, 7th, and 8th grades are required to submit an audition recording prior to being invited for the live audition. Fellowships may be awarded to students who play any of the following instruments each year based on program need: violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, harp, percussion, and piano*. Organ and saxophone instruments are not eligible.*Pianists will continue their regular private lessons (not part of the Youth Fellowship program), but receive a scholarship of up to two additional lessons per month with an NSO mentor. These lessons will focus on chamber music and orchestral keyboard music. Pianists will participate in performances on Millennium Stage. Pianists will be required to re-audition each year.ATTENDANCE & OBLIGATIONS
In addition to weekly private lessons, Youth Fellows spend an average of 2-4 days per month participating in Youth Fellowship activities at the Kennedy Center. These events are generally scheduled during school hours, but may include attendance at evening concerts. Since the program does not offer orchestral performance experience on a regular basis, Youth Fellows are strongly encouraged to participate in a youth orchestra program such as the American Youth Philharmonic, the Capital Symphonic Youth Orchestra, DC Youth Orchestra Program, Maryland Classic Youth Orchestra, Potomac Valley Youth Orchestra, etc.
Transportation to and from Fellowship activities must be provided by the student. Since program components occur during the school day, students are strongly encouraged to discuss the Youth Fellowship program commitment with their school administration. Students will be required to obtain the appropriate permission from their administrators and teachers to miss the school days required by participation in the program. Excused absences from program-required activities can be arranged with notice.
Youth Fellows are evaluated periodically to determine if their degree of progress warrants continued participation in the Program. Students may retain the fellowship until graduation from high school (pianists will be required to re-audition each year).
PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS
*It is the purpose of the program for accepted students to study privately with musicians of the NSO. Those students who elect to remain with their private teacher instead of an NSO musician may not be given priority for admittance into the Youth Fellowship program. A limited number of places may be available on an as needed basis for students who opt to continue private study with their non-NSO or non-WNOO teacher. Lesson fees with non-NSO or non-WNOO musicians will not be covered by the program.
CITIZEN ARTISTRY
With a focus on supporting the needs of 21st century students and cultivating the skills of 21st century artists, The Kennedy Center pre-professional artist training programs are committed to nurturing the emerging visionaries who are the future change-makers and culture-shapers.
As an integral part of Kennedy Center Education’s mission to foster understanding and uplift communities, each program provides a space where young artists will explore the intersection of artistic practice and civic responsibility, engaging the world as Citizen Artists.
Application
The program is intended for serious music students with the primary acceptance standard being musical talent. Special attention will be given to students whose financial situation might otherwise preclude continuing serious music study. All are encouraged and welcome to apply. Length of musical study and advanced technical ability are not necessarily determining factors. The decision of the judges is final.
Live auditions will occur on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Only in-person auditions will be considered. Audition results will be emailed by June 2, 2023.
A $15 non-refundable application fee is due upon application submission (contact us if you need to request a fee waiver due to financial circumstances, we will be glad to work with you). The online application must be submitted by Sunday, April 28 and includes the following:
Online Application including Financial StatementOne (1) letter of recommendationPersonal Statement (Written or Video)Important: Please read carefully and complete all items on the application form. Each application must be signed by the applicant and a parent or guardian and must be accompanied by the required recommendation letter, written or video personal statement, audition recording, and financial information sheet.
Personal Statement (Written or Video)In a video recording or written statement, please answer at least three of the following questions:
Why you are interested in this program?What are your goals for yourself in the next year?How do you envision music being a part of your life?What do you think a challenge will be in reaching your immediate and long-term goals?Tell us about a meaningful musical experience you have had. Why was it meaningful?What are your hobbies/interests outside of music?Written statement should be less than 600 words; Videos should be less than 5 minutes.
Live Auditions
Live auditions will occur on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Only in-person auditions will be considered.
Audition Repertoire & InterviewOne prepared solo piece (e.g. etude, sonata, concerto, solo work) that shows contrasting musical elements (varied tempi, dynamics, etc.). Please no band or orchestra parts. Live auditions are without piano accompaniment. Be sure to bring an extra copy of the music for the panel of National Symphony Orchestra judges. Should there be any doubt as to the appropriateness of the prepared piece, please contact us at nsoyf@kennedy-center.org.
Following the live audition, there will be a brief interview with an NSO Education staff member.
***
Contact the NSO Education Office at nsoyf@kennedy-center.org or (202) 416-8823 with questions.
Questions about accessibility or accommodations? Contact the Office of Accessibility directly at (202) 416-8727 (voice) or access@kennedy-center.org.
2024-2025 NSO Youth Fellowship Program
Application Deadline: Sunday, April 28, 2024
Live Audition Date: Saturday, May 18, 2024 at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
About the National Symphony Youth Fellowship Program:
The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) Youth Fellowship Program is an orchestral training program for students in grades 9-12 (younger musicians (gr. 6-8) may be considered on a special case-by-case basis). The performance-oriented program is designed for serious music students interested in pursuing orchestral music as a career, with the goal of providing them with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the 21st century music industry.
Open by audition only, this full-scholarship program provides students accepted into the program with the following:
Private lessons taught by a member of the NSO or Washington National Opera Orchestra (WNOO)*Chamber ensembles coached by NSO musiciansMaster classes and seminarsSide-by-side performance opportunity with the NSO (subject to instrument and additional recommendation)Attendance at selected rehearsals and performances of the NSOPerformance opportunities on the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage and within the community (solo and ensemble) Discussions with internationally renowned conductors, soloists, and musiciansPast NSO Youth Fellowship participants have gone on to achieve great success with orchestras, professional chamber ensembles, and arts organizations as musicians, arts educators and arts entrepreneurs. Orchestras throughout the country with graduate Youth Fellows include Philadelphia, Atlanta, Cleveland, Houston, Boston, Montreal and our own National Symphony Orchestra!
ELIGIBILITY
The Youth Fellowship program is open by audition to high school students entering grades 9-12 as of next September. Younger musicians (gr. 6-8) may be considered on a special case-by-case basis), and must submit an audition recording with the application prior to being invited for the live audition.Students must be seriously considering orchestral music as a career and be willing to devote themselves to a musical education by making a commitment to practice their instrument a minimum of 60-90 minutes per day.Open to all students in the area of the metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG): DC; MD—Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, Prince George's counties; VA—Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties. All students entering 6th, 7th, and 8th grades are required to submit an audition recording prior to being invited for the live audition. Fellowships may be awarded to students who play any of the following instruments each year based on program need: violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, harp, percussion, and piano*. Organ and saxophone instruments are not eligible.*Pianists will continue their regular private lessons (not part of the Youth Fellowship program), but receive a scholarship of up to two additional lessons per month with an NSO mentor. These lessons will focus on chamber music and orchestral keyboard music. Pianists will participate in performances on Millennium Stage. Pianists will be required to re-audition each year.ATTENDANCE & OBLIGATIONS
In addition to weekly private lessons, Youth Fellows spend an average of 2-4 days per month participating in Youth Fellowship activities at the Kennedy Center. These events are generally scheduled during school hours, but may include attendance at evening concerts. Since the program does not offer orchestral performance experience on a regular basis, Youth Fellows are strongly encouraged to participate in a youth orchestra program such as the American Youth Philharmonic, the Capital Symphonic Youth Orchestra, DC Youth Orchestra Program, Maryland Classic Youth Orchestra, Potomac Valley Youth Orchestra, etc.
Transportation to and from Fellowship activities must be provided by the student. Since program components occur during the school day, students are strongly encouraged to discuss the Youth Fellowship program commitment with their school administration. Students will be required to obtain the appropriate permission from their administrators and teachers to miss the school days required by participation in the program. Excused absences from program-required activities can be arranged with notice.
Youth Fellows are evaluated periodically to determine if their degree of progress warrants continued participation in the Program. Students may retain the fellowship until graduation from high school (pianists will be required to re-audition each year).
PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS
*It is the purpose of the program for accepted students to study privately with musicians of the NSO. Those students who elect to remain with their private teacher instead of an NSO musician may not be given priority for admittance into the Youth Fellowship program. A limited number of places may be available on an as needed basis for students who opt to continue private study with their non-NSO or non-WNOO teacher. Lesson fees with non-NSO or non-WNOO musicians will not be covered by the program.
CITIZEN ARTISTRY
With a focus on supporting the needs of 21st century students and cultivating the skills of 21st century artists, The Kennedy Center pre-professional artist training programs are committed to nurturing the emerging visionaries who are the future change-makers and culture-shapers.
As an integral part of Kennedy Center Education’s mission to foster understanding and uplift communities, each program provides a space where young artists will explore the intersection of artistic practice and civic responsibility, engaging the world as Citizen Artists.
Application
The program is intended for serious music students with the primary acceptance standard being musical talent. Special attention will be given to students whose financial situation might otherwise preclude continuing serious music study. All are encouraged and welcome to apply. Length of musical study and advanced technical ability are not necessarily determining factors. The decision of the judges is final.
Live auditions will occur on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Only in-person auditions will be considered. Audition results will be emailed by June 2, 2023.
A $15 non-refundable application fee is due upon application submission (contact us if you need to request a fee waiver due to financial circumstances, we will be glad to work with you). The online application must be submitted by Sunday, April 28 and includes the following:
Online Application including Financial StatementOne (1) letter of recommendationPersonal Statement (Written or Video)Important: Please read carefully and complete all items on the application form. Each application must be signed by the applicant and a parent or guardian and must be accompanied by the required recommendation letter, written or video personal statement, audition recording, and financial information sheet.
Personal Statement (Written or Video)In a video recording or written statement, please answer at least three of the following questions:
Why you are interested in this program?What are your goals for yourself in the next year?How do you envision music being a part of your life?What do you think a challenge will be in reaching your immediate and long-term goals?Tell us about a meaningful musical experience you have had. Why was it meaningful?What are your hobbies/interests outside of music?Written statement should be less than 600 words; Videos should be less than 5 minutes.
Live Auditions
Live auditions will occur on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Only in-person auditions will be considered.
Audition Repertoire & InterviewOne prepared solo piece (e.g. etude, sonata, concerto, solo work) that shows contrasting musical elements (varied tempi, dynamics, etc.). Please no band or orchestra parts. Live auditions are without piano accompaniment. Be sure to bring an extra copy of the music for the panel of National Symphony Orchestra judges. Should there be any doubt as to the appropriateness of the prepared piece, please contact us at nsoyf@kennedy-center.org.
Following the live audition, there will be a brief interview with an NSO Education staff member.
***
Contact the NSO Education Office at nsoyf@kennedy-center.org or (202) 416-8823 with questions.
Questions about accessibility or accommodations? Contact the Office of Accessibility directly at (202) 416-8727 (voice) or access@kennedy-center.org.