CSO Fellowship Program Audition
The application period for the 2025/26 season is complete, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is no longer accepting applications at this time.
Program Overview
CSO Fellows will rehearse and perform in a major symphony orchestra setting, work with top conductors, and receive training and mentorship from CSO musicians. The program’s objective is to help early career musicians become better equipped to win auditions with top U.S. orchestras, including the CSO.
The CSO Fellowship Program launched in the 2022/23 Season and is the latest initiative that assists early-career musicians from all backgrounds that have a demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion as they seek a career in classical-music performance. These programs include the Percussion Scholarship Program, Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative and Sphinx Orchestral Partners Auditions.
Program Eligibility
The CSO Fellowship Program is open to outstanding early-career string players (violin, viola, cello) who are attending or have graduated from college, university or conservatory and are committed to fostering a culture of equity, inclusion, and belonging, or have overcome adversity in their path to the performing arts.
Additionally, applicants must have U.S. citizenship, permanent U.S. residency or an 0-1 or OPT visa at the time of application and must be a member in good standing of the American Federation of Musicians or willing to join the AFM if accepted to the fellowship.
Participants in the CSO Fellowship Program must be fully vaccinated and up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations according to the definitions of the Centers for Disease Control. Audition finalists will be asked to provide proof of their vaccination status prior to participating in the final auditions.
Rehearsal, Performance and Learning Opportunities
- CSO Fellows will rehearse and perform with the CSO for 20 weeks per season between September and August; additional CSO weeks, as well as additional extra work, are possible.
- CSO Fellows will have the same contractual working conditions as extra or substitute musicians with the CSO.
- CSO Fellows will receive up to 10 private one-hour lessons per season with a CSO member or members who agree to offer private lessons.
- CSO Fellows may be invited to extend their fellowship for up to two additional years. Invitations for subsequent years, if made, will be extended by January 15; a fellow must accept or decline the invitation no later than February 15.
Compensation
- CSO Fellows will be compensated from $66,000-$76,200 per season, less statutory deductions, depending on the number of services played and based on the compensation for substitute and extra musicians as dictated by the CSO’s collective bargaining agreement.
- Each CSO Fellow will receive air transportation or mileage reimbursement for ground transportation for the initial move to Chicago, as well as a one-time relocation payment of $2,500 for those moving to Chicago from outside the Chicagoland area.
- CSO Fellows will also be offered transportation assistance to attend up to two auditions per year for full-time employment with other U.S. orchestras.
Promotional Toolkit
- Complete repertoire list (pdf)
- Entire toolkit (zip)
- Printable flyer (pdf)
- Digital e-card (jpg)
- Digital video screen (jpg)
- Social Media images (all jpg)