The Robinson Orchestral Career Fellowship empowers students to win orchestral auditions and embark on an orchestral career of the highest distinction. Following a process modeled after a major orchestra audition, CIM invites up to 2 Fellows annually to participate in the program, which is available exclusively to CIM alumni and includes a full-tuition scholarship for up to two years, along with free housing, travel grants, and recording support. Fellows earn an Artist Diploma and benefit from an audition-focused curriculum, including mock auditions, professional development, networking, discussions with musicians from around the globe, and more.
Launched in 2021-22, four Robinson Fellows have already won positions:
Caleb Cox, viola, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
Zachary Litty, bass trombone, Toledo Symphony
Shanie Klas, principal percussion, Opera Australia Orchestra
Grace Roepke, principal harp, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
Program & Curriculum Highlights
- Orchestral Career Seminar and personalized support from program mentor Hannah Hammel Maser, CIM faculty and principal flute of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra
- Regular mock auditions with conductor and faculty feedback
- Panel discussions with musicians from leading international orchestras
- Masterclass coaching sessions and professional development workshops
- Opportunities to perform in the CIM Orchestra
- Personalized Lab Orchestra sessions for general excerpts, upcoming audition repertoire and Trial Week repertoire
- Audition coaching, recording and application support
- Recording sessions in CIM’s concert halls
- Courses like Performance Psychology, Orchestral Repertoire, and Music Entrepreneurship and Digital Communication (registration optional)
- Free housing in 1609 Hazel, CIM’s state-of-the-art student housing and practice room complex
- Up to $5,000 in professional development and travel assistance for auditions (total per Robinson Fellow over the course of their program)
Highlights are for representative purposes only and are subject to change.
Eligibility
The Fellowship is open to CIM alumni or CIM students in their final year of study pursuing an orchestral instrument who possess the motivation and potential to achieve a top-echelon orchestral career. Fellows audition for a panel consisting of CIM faculty and other guest adjudicators.
Find the required prescreening and audition repertoire.
Questions? Connect with the Admissions team to learn more!