New Jersey Symphony Colton Fellowship Audition 2024–25

The New Jersey Symphony Colton Fellowship is an excellence-based program designed to support early-career Black and/or Latino musicians representing populations that historically have been marginalized. These initiatives continue the New Jersey Symphony’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

The New Jersey Symphony Colton Fellows will experience the full breadth of the New Jersey Symphony musician experience of statewide service to people of all ages—performing in mainstage concerts, education programs and chamber music performances across the state.

More information about the New Jersey Symphony Colton Fellowship.

Eligibility & Requirements

Deadline to apply: April 26, 2024

Auditions: All Rounds held in the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark, NJ.

Preliminary Round: Tuesday, May 21 & Thursday, May 23, 2024
Semifinal Round: Friday, May 24, 2024
Final Round: Saturday, May 25, 2024

Dates of employment: The New Jersey Symphony 2024–25 season is September 1, 2024–August 31, 2025.

Schedule and compensation for this position is commensurate to that of New Jersey Symphony tenured musicians.
The season is comprised of 29 Weeks (including two (2) weeks of paid vacation, up to one (1) additional week of vacation services and up to seventeen (17) Community Partners Program services).
As of September 1, 2024, weekly compensation will be $1,510.30.
Benefits include paid employee health insurance (contributory spousal, parent/child or family coverage and contributory dental coverage available), life insurance, long-term disability insurance, instrument insurance and pension contribution of 11.99%.
Additionally, New Jersey Symphony Colton Fellows will receive up to $8,000 in support of professional development opportunities.

Fellowship Eligibility:

Self-identify as Black and/or Latino
Play an orchestral string instrument
Eligible for employment in the United States for the 2024–25 season (the New Jersey Symphony is not able to sponsor work visas for this Fellowship)
Bachelor of Music degree preferred
Candidates who have held a full-season contract position with any ICSOM orchestra are not eligible to apply

Application Requirements:

A one-page resume with your contact info
A second version of your one-page resume with your name, email address, physical address and phone number removed. This redacted version is given to the Audition Committee for screening purposes.
3 professional references
A short answer (3 sentences) to each of the following questions:
- Please provide one example of how you have engaged diverse communities through music.
- Please describe someone whom you consider to be one of your most important mentors and role models, and how you have applied what you have learned from them in both your personal and professional lives.
- How would you use your time as an New Jersey Symphony Colton Fellow to promote creative excellence through diversity, equity and inclusion?
- How do you see the program supporting your long-term career goals?
Submit your application by clicking the link below.

Submit your Application

Questions about the application may be sent to Adria Benjamin, Orchestra Personnel Manager (personnelmanager@njsymphony.org).

Resumes will be reviewed after submission. All applicants will be notified by email of confirmation of their submissions and next steps. Audition travel assistance may be available upon request.

Download the audition list and excerpt packets:

Travel & Hotel Information: Directions, parking, and public transportation information to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) can be found can be found on NJPAC’s website.

FROM THE NJ TURNPIKE: Take the NJ Turnpike to Exit 15W for Route 280 West. Drive approximately 2 miles on Route 280 to Exit 15 (Route 21 South/ Newark). Take McCarter Highway (Route 21) south for 4/10 mile and turn right onto Center Street. NJPAC will be on your right with several parking options in the area.

FROM THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY: Take the GS Parkway to Exit 145. Exit onto Route 280 East. Stay to the right and follow the signs toward Harrison. Take Exit 15 (Route 21 / Newark). Take McCarter Highway (Route 21) South for 4/10 mile and turn right on to Center Street. NJPAC will be on your right with several parking options in the area.

VIA ROUTE 80 & ROUTE 280: Take Route 80 East to Route 280 East. Follow directions for the GS Parkway above.

VIA ROUTE 78: From 78 East take Exit 58A and follow signs for Routes 1 & 9 and then for Route 21 North. Continue on Route 21 (McCarter Highway) North to the intersection of Center Street and McCarter Highway (Performing Arts Center.) Turn left onto Center Street. NPAC will be on your right with several parking options in the area.

Hotels near NJPAC

TRYP BY WYNDHAM NEWARK DOWNTOWN
24 East Park Street, Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: 973.642.7100
Located one block away from NJPAC

BEST WESTERN ROBERT TREAT HOTEL
50 Park Place, Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: 973.622.1000
Located across the street from NJPAC.

HAMPTON INN & SUITES NEWARK-HARRISON-RIVERWALK
100 Passaic Ave, Harrison, NJ 07029
Phone: 973.483.1900

DOUBLETREE BY HILTON
1 Gateway Center, Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: 973.622.5000
Located five blocks from NJPAC and adjacent to Newark Penn Station.

COURTYARD NEWARK DOWNTOWN
Phone: 973.848.0070

Newark Liberty International Airport is a short cab ride to downtown Newark. All hotels listed provide airport shuttle service.

Please note the following:

The Symphony shall provide, at no cost to applicants, the opportunity to receive 1 hour of virtual pre-audition coaching with Contracted Musicians. You will be contacted about this opportunity after April 26, 2024.
All audition rounds will be held behind a screen.
The Audition Committee reserves the right to dismiss immediately any candidate not meeting the highest professional standards at these auditions.
Clean copies of music will be provided on stage. Candidates are welcome to use their own music.

The New Jersey Symphony celebrates the cultural vibrancy of our communities and builds meaningful relationships that elevate and strengthen them. We seek to create a culture of inclusion and a work environment that values hard work, professionalism and creativity. We are committed to diversity and equal opportunity in our recruitment and hiring. Qualified candidates of all backgrounds are welcome to apply for open positions.

This fellowship is made possible by a generous gift from Judith & Stewart Colton.

The New Jersey Symphony is proud to be a partner orchestra of the National Alliance for Audition Support (NAAS).