Fellowship Benefits

  • Get onstage and backstage access during WVSO rehearsals to learn how different concerts are prepared for performance

  • Meet renowned soloists, musicians, and performers from WVSO's guest artist lineup

  • Interact with WVSO musicians and Music Director.

  • Receive free tickets to WVSO concerts for both yourself and a guest

  • Serve as ambassadors for the Symphony to the press and to the community

Eligibility:

The program is open to all West Virginia high school students (grades 9-12).

Standards of Acceptance:

The program has been adapted to include serious music students with talent and a strong desire for success as a future professional musician or educator. (Financial resources are available through this program for students whose economic situation or geographic location might otherwise preclude continuing serious music study.)

Instruments:

Each candidate must be a serious instrumental music student who plays a primary instrument that is part of a modern symphony orchestra including: 

  • Strings (harp, violin, viola, cello, bass)

  • Woodwinds (flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone)

  • Brass (trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba)

  • Percussion (pitched and un-pitched percussion instruments, piano)

Auditions & Interviews: Friday, January 17, 2025

Finalist Selection:

A small number of finalists will be invited to advance from the application round to the two-part interview/audition finalist round. Members of the selection committee will conduct an interview session with each candidate to further gauge commitment to music and this overall program. The finalists will be asked a broad range of questions that will explore each candidate’s goals, interests, and aptitude. Each candidate will audition on his primary instrument for the selection committee.

Music performed for the audition would ideally be one or more movements from the standard concerto repertoire for your instrument with orchestra. An accompanist will be provided, but you may also bring your own. Pianists should prepare a major solo movement from the standard sonata repertoire.

Obligation of Fellows:

The fellowship requires a high level of focus and desire to further one’s music education and academic/professional goals. There is a significant time commitment required for this fellowship. Fellows will be expected to attend rehearsals for three symphonic concerts. Fellows are expected to do a significant level of research on orchestral repertoire, historic and modern composers. Study scores and parts for each rehearsal session are provided on loan by the WVSO.  The fellow will be guided through the research and will be expected to communicate research findings to the program mentor before rehearsals.