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Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music

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Memphis Symphony Diversity Fellowship Program

The Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music at the University of Memphis, and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, have joined to create the MSO/UofM Diversity Fellowship Program (MDFP), a prestigious performance fellowship program for exceptional string players.

The program provides a one-to-two-year learning and training experience for up to four graduate and post-graduate violin, viola, and cello players coming from Black, African-American, and Latino communities that are historically underrepresented in classical music. The length of the program coincides with the graduate degree being pursued (1 year for an Artist Diploma & 2 years for a Master of Music).

Three positions (1 violin, 1 viola, & 1 cello) are available for the 2023-2024 season.

Program Benefits

Tuition and Compensation:
MDFP Fellows receive a full tuition scholarship while enrolled in Master of Music or Artist Diploma programs. The MSO will provide a stipend and contract package totaling a minimum of $12,500.

Professional Performance Opportunities

  • Fellows will perform at least five concert cycles per season with the MSO and participate in additional performances in solo and chamber settings for community engagement and education. 
  • Fellows will play together in a Fellowship Ensemble as part of their experience at the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music. They will receive coaching and performance opportunities throughout their degree programs.
  • Fellows will engage in intensive study with the string faculty of the University of Memphis and are paired with MSO mentors who guide the duration of their degree and fellowship. 
  • Fellows will have apprenticeship opportunities with the MSO music director and conducting staff, instrumentalists, CEO, administrative staff, MSO Board members, and members of the MSO Circle of Friends. 
  • Fellows will serve as Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music ambassadors in the Memphis community individually and as an ensemble.
     

How to apply

MDFP Applicants must complete a Fellowship Application Form and apply to the program of their choice (options include the Artist Diploma program and the Masters of Music program) to set up an audition time. 

Dates and Deadlines

March 1: application deadline

  • Applicants may audition virtually

March 15: decision release deadline

  • Qualified applicants will be waitlisted

April 15: Deadline for applicants’ acceptance

 Audition Requirements

  1. Solo repertoire:
    An outer movement of a standard concerto from the 19th or 20th century
    Two contrasting movements of one of Bach’s Sonatas or Partitas for solo violin
  2. Orchestral excerpts:
    Beethoven:  Symphony No. 9 | Mvt 3:  measures 99-115
    Debussy: La Mer |  [19] to [20]
    Mozart:  Symphony No 39, K543 | Mvt. 1:1st 9 measures | Mvt. 1: [A] to [C] |  Mvt. 4: beginning to downbeat of 1 measure before [A]
    Prokofiev: Symphony No. 1, op. 25 (Classical) |  Mvt. 1:Beginning to [7] |  Mvt. 4:Beginning to [52]
    Strauss, R.: Don Juan, op. 20 | Entire 1st page
  3. Possible sight-reading from the standard orchestral repertoire

  1. Solo repertoire:
    A movement of a Bach Suite
    A movement from one of the major viola concertos such as Bartok, Walton, or Hindemith’s Der Schwanendrehe
  2. Orchestral excerpts:
    Beethoven:  Symphony No. 5, op. 67 | Mvt 2
    Berlioz: Roman Carnival Overture, op. 9 | First page
    Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, op. 61 | Scherzo: [B] to [D]
    Prokofiev: Symphony No. 1, op. 25 (Classical) | Mvt. 4: [69] through 1st measure of [73] | Mvt. 4: [75] to the end
    Strauss, R.: Don Juan, op. 20 | Beginning to downbeat of [B]
  3. Possible sight-reading from the standard orchestral repertoire

  1. Solo repertoire:
    An outer movement of a standard concerto
    Two contrasting movements of a Bach Suite
  2. Orchestral excerpts:
    Beethoven:  Symphony No. 5 | Mvt 2: measures 1-10, measures 49-59, and measures 98-106 |
    Brahms: Symphony No. 2 | Mvt. 2: Beginning to two measures before [A]
  3. Debussy: La Mer | Mvt. 1: Top line of quartet at two measures before [9] through four measures before [10]
    Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream | Scherzo: Top line, [N] to downbeat of [O]
    Strauss, R.: Don Juan, op. 20 | Beginning to five measures before [D]
  4. Possible sight-reading from the standard orchestral repertoire

If you have any questions about the repertoire or the live audition, please contact Dr. Marcin Arendt at marendt@memphis.edu

Contact: 
George Palton
Recruitment + Enrollment Coordinator
gapalton@memphis.edu