National Symphony Orchestra Youth Fellowship Grant

National Symphony Orchestra Youth Fellowship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: John F Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts
Last Updated: August 07, 2025

Summary

The National Symphony Orchestra Youth Fellowship is a prestigious program offering high school students in the Washington, D.C. area an opportunity to develop their orchestral skills through mentorship by NSO musicians. Participants receive private lessons, coaching in chamber ensembles, and performance opportunities on the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. This full-scholarship program aims to nurture the next generation of orchestral musicians, emphasizing dedication to practice and a commitment to pursuing a career in music.

Overview

National Symphony Orchestra Youth Fellowship The NSO Youth Fellowship Program is an orchestral training program for serious music students interested in pursuing orchestral music as a career. Open by audition only, this full-scholarship program provides high school students in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area the opportunity to study with a National Symphony Orchestra or Washington National Opera Orchestra musician; observe rehearsals and attend concerts; rehearse side-by-side with the NSO; and participate in chamber music ensembles, master classes and discussions with musicians, conductors, guest artists, and NSO/Kennedy Center management. About the Program The NSO Youth Fellowship Program develops and encourages high school students to become orchestral musicians of the future, learning the realities and skills of a 21st century career. This is a monitored, performance-oriented training program designed for serious music students. The following benefits are made available free of charge to students accepted into the program: Private lessons taught by a member of the National Symphony Orchestra or Washington National Opera Orchestra (WNOO) musician* Chamber ensembles coached by NSO musicians Master classes and seminars Side-by-side performance opportunity with the NSO (subject to instrument and additional recommendation) Attendance at selected rehearsals and performances of the NSO Performance opportunities on the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage and within the community (solo and ensemble) Exposure to internationally renowned conductors, soloists, and musicians

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The 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] 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.seriously considering orchestral music as a career and willing to devote themselves to a musical education by making a commitment to practice their instrument a minimum of 60-90 minutes per day.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. 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.

Ineligibility

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. [NOT eligible: organ and saxophone].