Venezuela-born violinist Gabriela Lara, the first participant in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Fellowship Program, is performing in the CSO and expanding her professional training with CSO musicians. Photo by Elizabeth Hernandez.
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association has opened applications for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) Fellowship Program for the 2023-24 season, with a March 15, 2023 deadline. Auditions will be held for violin, viola, cello, and bass, from which up to three CSO Fellows may be chosen. Introduced in 2022, the CSO Fellowship Program includes musicians from populations that have traditionally been underrepresented in American orchestras, including, but not limited to, those who identify as Black, Latino, or Indigenous. CSO Fellows selected for the 2023-24 program will rehearse and perform with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, with the opportunity to work with conductors and receive training and mentorship from CSO musicians to better equip them to win auditions. CSO Fellows will play a minimum of 20 subscription weeks with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and have access to up to 10 one-hour private lessons with a CSO musician annually. CSO Fellows may be invited to continue in the program for up to two additional years. Benefits including financial support for initial relocation expenses and auditions are available. Learn more and apply at cso.org/about/performers/cso-musicians/fellowship-auditions/.
