Orchestra Management Fellowship Program

Orchestra Management Fellowship Program: Redesigned and Relaunched!

The Orchestra Management Fellowship Program is the League’s premier leadership training program. This year-long, highly competitive program is designed to launch executive careers in orchestra management. Since its inception, the Orchestra Management Fellowship Program has graduated approximately 175 fellows, many of whom hold leadership positions in our nation’s orchestras.

The Orchestra Management Fellowship Program is designed for those who specifically aspire to careers as executive directors of American orchestras within a few years of graduation from the program. Candidates must have had three years’ experience in the workplace. The Fellowship year, which extends from mid-June, 2012-mid-June 2013, includes residencies at the Aspen Music Festival and School and two host orchestras. In addition, Fellows will participate in other learning opportunities, receive an annual stipend; medical benefits; and professional develop funds to extend their own executive education.

Deadline for application materials:  February 1, 2012

Apply here >>

If you have questions, please contact Jessica Balboni at the League at 646 822 4033 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Program elements:  June 11, 2012 to June 10, 2013

  • Fellows will take a workplace self-assessment, to be shared with their mentors, as one means of identifying areas of strength to be developed during the Fellowship year
  • A two-month placement as an orchestra manager at the Aspen Music Festival and School
  • A 7-8 month placement with a major American orchestra
  • Mentoring from the orchestra’s executive director
  • A 2-3 month placement with a smaller budget orchestra
  • Professional development stipend that allow the fellows to invest in their own learning
  • Visits to key non-sector organizations that represent the best in entrepreneurial environments
  • Attendance at the League’s 2013 National Conference in St. Louis

Compensation includes

  • $40,000 payment
  • Travel stipend
  • Medical insurance

Candidates must commit to the full 12-month program and be able to relocate to take on the Aspen and orchestra assignments.

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Who is eligible to apply?

  • Candidates should be people who are specifically committed to careers as executive director of an orchestra in the United States within five to ten years of graduating from OMFP.
  • A passion for orchestras and the music they play is fundamental, combined with significant potential (to be developed in the course of the fellowship year) in the areas of leadership, human relations skills,  business oversight (including finance and marketing), artistic engagement and imagination, entrepreneurship, and a commitment to serving the larger community in which the orchestra is located. Candidates also must have direct managerial experience, including staff supervision.
  • Fellows must be US citizens or Permanent Residents and able to demonstrate eligibility to work in the U.S.
  • Fellows are selected through a competitive application and interview process that seeks individuals who are passionate about orchestras and the music they play. 
  • The League is seeking individuals who are creative problem solvers, active learners with a high degree of curiosity about the field and the management of orchestras, and are willing to take risks and challenge themselves to stretch beyond their comfort zone.
  • Candidates must have at least three years of full-time, paid, challenging work experience with an orchestra, music organization, or other area of the nonprofit sector. 
  • Professional musicians with considerable organizational experience (i.e., players committee or ICSOM or ROPA representative) are encouraged to apply.  Candidates from the for-profit sector may also be considered for admission, provided their work experience will transition to an administrative role within orchestras and the candidate meets all other eligibility requirements.

At the discretion of the OMFP Selection Committee, highly qualified candidates with less work experience may be considered, provided that they meet all other eligibility requirements.
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How are OMFP Fellows selected?

OMFP Fellows are selected following a competitive four-step process, including the following:

  1. Complete and submit online application by February 1, 2012.

  2. Must have informational interview by January 15, 2012.

  3. Must submit one page “think-piece” essay by February 10, 2012. The League will provide you with the topic by February 1, 2011.

  4. Those selected as finalists for the Orchestra Management Fellowship Program must attend the Finals Selection Process on Thursday-Friday, March 8-9 in New York City. (Finalists attend at their own expense.)

Each applicant is evaluated based on the following:

  • Commitment to achieving an executive director position with an orchestra
  • Knowledge of, and passion for, the art form
  • Leadership aptitude and demonstrated professional achievement
  • Initiative, inquisitiveness and active learning
  • Creative problem solving, risk taking
  • Short and long term strategic thinking    
  • Outstanding communication skills
  • Collaborative work-style, team builder
  • Resilient, energetic, can-do attitude

The selection process strives to include candidates that have a clearly defined career goal of becoming an executive director of an orchestra.  In addition, the League actively seeks the participation of U.S. professionals from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds.

Fees
There is a $60 application fee.

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Application Requirements 

  1. OMFP 2013 Application Form

  2. Brief narrative biography

  3. Three minute video clip introducing yourself (optional but encouraged)

  4. Resume

  5. Your institution’s organizational chart with your position highlighted

  6. Essay

  7. Three recommendations

  8. An informational interview that must be completed by January 15

  9. $60 application fee (payable online by credit card or by check)

  10. Think-piece essay to be submitted by February 10, 2012. The League will provide you with the topic by February 1, 2012.


Apply here >>
 

The Orchestra Management Fellowship Program is made possible by support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, The Hearst Foundation, Inc., National Endowment for the Arts, alumni of the Fellowship Program, and by host orchestras.