Bassoon/Contrabassoon Fellowship
EMF offers opportunities for exceptional pre-professional musicians (ages 23-33) to gain valuable on-stage, outreach, leadership, and performance experience with the Eastern Festival Orchestra through fellowships.
The Bassoon/Contrabassoon Fellow performs with the Eastern Festival Orchestra (EMF’s artist-faculty orchestra) under the baton of Maestro Gerard Schwarz, and performs in chamber music ensembles, as well as playing an “anchor” role in the orchestral/conducting scholar repertoire sessions. Outreach/community performances and engagement activities are encouraged.
The Eastern Music Festival Orchestra rehearsal and performance schedule includes five or six services per week (three rehearsals, one dress rehearsal, and one or two performances).
All Fellows are eligible to receive three (3) private lessons from members of EMF artist-faculty. Fellows also have access to a wide variety of EMF seminars, workshops, and professional development opportunities.
Responsibilities includes evening and weekend assignments, and no outside (non-EMF) engagements may be accepted during the fellowship period without the prior written agreement of EMF.
NOTE: The contrabassoon fellow is required to provide and transport their own instrument.
Requirements
- Applicants must be between the ages of 23 and 33
- Applicants must be available for full term of Fellowship (Arrive June 28, 2025 – Departure August 3, 2025) (No exceptions)
- Applicants must have a valid U.S. driver’s license and a clean driving record.
- The selected contrabassoon fellow is required to provide and transport their own instruments.
Fellowship Benefits
- $1,000 Stipend
- Room (shared on-campus apartment)
- Board (Guilford College meal card)
- Private Lessons with EMF Faculty (three one-hour lessons)
How To Apply
All applicants must complete the Bassoon/Contrabassoon Fellow Application (available online at www.getacceptd.com/emfestival). The deadline for receipt of completed applications and video recordings is February 19, 2025.
All applicants must submit a:
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Short Biography (250 words or less)
- Two letters of recommendation
- The repertoire requirements for their instrument. All orchestral excerpts can be found at https://www.orchestralbassoon.com/
All materials must be uploaded through our Acceptd portal. The fee for submitting your application and audition via Acceptd will be $40 prior to January 1, 2025 and $80 thereafter. Call (336) 333-7450 x227 for additional details.
Repertoire Requirements (Video Recordings Only)
Bassoon (in one continuous take):
- Mozart: Concerto for Bassoon, 1st movement, exposition
- Mozart: Marriage of Figaro Overture, 2nd bassoon, measures 139-171
- Brahms: Violin Concerto, movement 2, 2nd bassoon
- Beginning to 32
- Bartok: Concerto for Orchestra, movement 2, 2nd bassoon
- Beginning to 25
- Measures 165-181
Contrabassoon (in one continuous take):
- J.S. Bach: Suite No. 1 for solo Violoncello, Minuets I & II (no repeats; no da capo)
- Ravel: Ma mère l’Oye, movement IV complete (omit the 10 bar rest before number 4)
- Ravel: Piano Concerto for the left hand, measures 2-8
- Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5, movement 2, measure 65 to 9 after 68 (shorten the 11 bar rest)
- R. Strauss: Tod und Verklärung, Allegro molto agitato to 3 measures before letter 40
The successful applicants will demonstrate professional-level artistic abilities and will also demonstrate that they possess excellent communication skills and the competencies required of EMF Fellows.
Contact Admissions
Melissa M. Edwards, DMA
Director of Education
Phone: 336-333-7450, x227
Fax: 336-333-7454
The content regarding course offerings, faculty, visiting artists, fees, and other details may change without prior notice. Eastern Music Festival is dedicated to promoting diversity within its student community and does not engage in discrimination based on race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, or physical ability in the administration of its educational policies and programs.