Orchestral Strings Fellowship

Music

Orchestral Strings Fellowship

UNCSA and the Winston Salem Symphony Orchestra partnered to create the UNCSA/Winston-Salem Symphony Strings Fellowship — a prestigious two-year, graduate-level Orchestral Fellowship program that began in Fall 2024.

Each fellow receives scholarship support for two years equaling the cost of full tuition and fees, as well as a $5,000 per year graduate stipend while enrolled in a two-year Master of Music (M.M.) program at UNCSA. Fellows receive real-world training in performance and leadership under the mentorship of Winston-Salem Symphony Music Director Michelle Merrill, symphony musicians, and executives. They engage with the local community as part of the Symphony’s P.L.A.Y. (Piedmont Learning Academy for Youth) Music program for under-served youth.

Fellowships are available for outstanding violinists, violists, cellists, and double bass players from the U.S. and abroad with a dedicated passion for community engagement. While all fellowships are currently occupied through the 2025-2026 academic year, we intend to take applications again starting in Fall 2026 for the 2026-2027 season. Should one become available before then, we will certainly publicize it here.

Quick links

 

Winston Salem Symphony Orchestra

Perform and intern with a professional orchestra

Fellows will perform with the Winston-Salem Symphony on a variety of concerts, including three Classics series programs. Throughout the year they will be provided internship opportunities, focusing on different aspects of managing a professional arts institution such as concert promotion, programming, fundraising, education and community engagement.

Program eligibility

Applicants must follow the application procedure for UNCSA’s graduate admissions and meet the requirements for acceptance to the Master of Music (M.M.) degree.

Application and audition Information

All fellowships are currently full through Spring 2026.  The next planned auditions will occur in January and February 2026 for the 2026-2027 school year. Please see the audition repertoire information.