The National Alliance for Audition Support—a partnership between the Sphinx Organization, New World Symphony, and the League of American Orchestras—has been awarded a grant of $1.95 million by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Created in 2018, the National Alliance for Audition Support (NAAS) is an unprecedented national and field-wide initiative with the long-term goal of increasing diversity in American orchestras. The Mellon Foundation was the primary underwriter of NAAS with a grant of $1.8 million for the first four years. The new, increased grant provides continued support through 2024. In addition to the Mellon Foundation support, NAAS receives additional financial contributions from over 100 orchestra partners through annual dues.
To date, NAAS has assisted 299 musicians, resulting in 81 successful auditions and placements. Of these 81 positions, 29 are full-time, 16 are temporary, 5 are substitute positions, and 31 are fellowship positions. Over the next three years NAAS expects to serve at least 350 underrepresented classical musicians and provide approximately $600,000-$750,000 in direct support to artists, continuing to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the nation’s orchestras. For more information, visit https://www.sphinxmusic.org/national-alliance-for-audition-support.
