String Fellowship
EMF offers opportunities for exceptional pre-professional musicians (ages 23-33) to gain valuable on-stage, outreach, leadership, adn performance experience with the Eastern Festival Orchestra through fellowships.
Fellowships are available for the following:
Violin (6), Viola (3), Cello (3), Double Bass (1)
All String Fellows perform with the Eastern Festival Orchestra (EMF’s artist-faculty orchestra) under the baton of Maestro Gerard Schwarz and in chamber music ensembles, where they will receive coaching from EMF faculty and participate in outreach/community engagement mini performances. Fellows also participate in orchestral/conducting scholars reading sessions and in one to three additional ensemble/chamber orchestra performances during EMF’s five-week season.
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 include evening and weekend assignments and no outside (non-EMF) engagements may be accepted during the fellowship period without the prior written agreement of EMF.
Requirements
- Applicants must be between the ages of 23 and 33
- Applicants must be available for full term of Fellowship (Arrive June 28, 2025 – Depart August 3, 2025) (No exceptions)
- Applicants must have a valid U.S. driver’s license and a clean driving record.
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 String 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 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
Violin:
- Recent recording of a major concerto or sonata (5 minutes). Piano accompaniment is optional.
- Orchestral Excerpts
Viola:
- Three minutes of the first movement from one of the following. Piano accompaniment is optional.
-
- Bartok – Concerto for Viola
- Hindemith – Der Schwanendreher
- Walton – Concerto for Viola
- Orchestral Excerpts:
Cello:
- Five minutes from a concerto of your choice. Piano accompaniment is optional.
- One movement from a Bach Suite
- Orchestral Excerpts:
-
- Mozart: Symphony No. 41
- Brahms: Symphony No. 2
- Beethoven: Symphony No. 5
- R. Strauss: Don Juan
- Mendelssohn: Scherzo from A Midsummer Night’s Dream
- Letter N to Letter O (bars 296-323)
Double Bass:
- First movement from a concerto of your choice. Piano accompaniment is optional.
- One movement from a Bach Suite
- Three standard orchestral excerpts of your choice.
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.