The Memphis Symphony Orchestra offers a two-year Artist-in-Residence program in partnership with the University of Memphis. Students enrolled in the program work toward the Artist Diploma in Violin and receive a full-tuition waiver and a $6,000-stipend.

Admission to the program is based upon a live audition before a panel representing the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and the University of Memphis string area faculty and also upon the applicant's full acceptance by the University of Memphis.

Auditions will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2013 and Saturday, February 23, 2013 in the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music building on the University of Memphis campus. Currently, there are four openings for violinists beginning in Fall, 2013.

The Memphis Symphony Orchestra exists to create meaningful experiences through music and fulfills this with a vision of community service through artistry, education, and community engagement.  Since 1952, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra has been an economic, artistic, and educational force in the Mid-South. Today more than six hundred musicians, staff, and volunteers in the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, the Memphis Symphony Chorus, and the Memphis Symphony League operate with a $4.0 million dollar budget to present symphonic music to radio, television and live audiences of more than half a million people annually.

The Artist Diploma is a post-baccalaureate program, designed for those ready to embark on performing careers but desiring to delve further into mastering the artistry and craft of the violin within a supportive university environment.  It offers opportunities to perform regularly with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra while studying with violin faculty at the University of Memphis.

Artist Diploma students receive weekly lessons leading to two required violin recitals. The Artist Diploma curriculum offers considerable flexibility to the individual student. In addition to studio violin lessons, students take part in an orchestral excerpts course with the Concertmaster of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, perform in the University Symphony Orchestra, and have the opportunity to take electives. Artist Diploma students may enroll in any graduate or undergraduate class to best meet their individual needs. For more information about the curriculum, see the Graduate Handbook.

To schedule an audition in Memphis, submit a Graduate Application Form and a Graduate Audition Form to the School of Music. You will receive an email reply.

Audition requirements are: two movements from a Bach solo sonata or partita, first movement of a romantic concerto, and three contrasting excerpts: Strauss Don Juan, first page; Mozart Symphony no. 39 in E-flat Major, first movement, beginning to bar 97; and Brahms Symphony no. 4 in E minor, movement 4, bar 33 to letter D.

Submit a resume, repertoire list, and two letters of recommendation to the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music.  Electronic submission is highly preferred.  Please email to kayyager@memphis.edu.  When using U.S. Postal Service, mail to:  ATTN:  Kay Yager, The University of Memphis, Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music, 129 Music Bldg, Memphis, TN 38152.

In addition, apply to the University as a Graduate applicant. At "Planned Course of Study," do not select "Non-Degree."  Select "Artist Diploma in Music CERT." An undergraduate degree is required.   GRE or MAT exams are not required of Artist Diploma – Violin applicants. All applicants whose native language is not English must supply results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). For more information about acceptance as a graduate student at the University of Memphis, see http://www.memphis.edu/gradschool/gradcert.php.

Timetable

• Apply to the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music by February 1.
• Audition on February 16 or February 23, 2013.
• Apply to the University of Memphis by March 1, 2013.  Since Artist Diploma in Violin applicants must be accepted by audition and by the University of Memphis, it is highly recommended that applicants apply to the University by February 1.
• Deadline date for International Students to apply to Graduate Admissions for the fall semester is May 1 however it is suggested that international students allow four months for documents to arrive and be processed.