Conducting Fellowship

The Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra (NPO) announces the 2026-27 Conducting Fellowship. This position is an opportunity for an emerging conductor to gain experience with the artistic and administrative operations of an orchestra.

2026-27 submissions are due April 14, 2026, 11:59pm (CDT). Please read below for more details and audition submission requirements.

Conducting Fellowship Information

NOTE: Please read all the information in BOTH sections before emailing us your submission.

Please read all instructions carefully (in this section and the section below), and immediately mark any important dates in your calendar.

This position is an opportunity for an emerging conductor to gain experience with the artistic and administrative operations of an orchestra. The position is currently for one season, but the Artistic Committee has the option to offer one full year renewal to the Fellow when appropriate.

All applications must be complete and received by 11:59pm (CDT) April 14, 2026.

NPO Conducting Fellow Duties:

The Conducting Fellow will attend all weekly NPO rehearsals and all performances serving as a cover conductor to the Music Director, Dr. Christopher Norton. This will include studying all repertoire, being prepared to conduct, and offering feedback on balance and artistic issues.

The NPO rehearses on Tuesday evenings from August through May, and presents four pairs of concerts on Sundays and Tuesdays. The Conducting Fellow will have the opportunity to conduct the orchestra in sectionals and select rehearsals as assigned by the Music Director, and possibly on concerts.

The Fellow will also work closely with the Executive Director in administrative tasks related to conducting an orchestra.

While there is technically no residency requirement, being in or near Nashville is encouraged, as the NPO is not able to reimburse travel costs.

NPO Conducting Fellow Benefits:

This is essentially a volunteer position. In addition to the benefit of learning the repertoire and conducting periodically, the Conducting Fellow will be provided with the following:

  • regular conducting evaluation and guidance from the Music Director

  • a session with NPO Founder and Artistic Director of Intersection, Kelly Corcoran

  • observation opportunities with select professional ensembles throughout Nashville (to be determined)

  • opportunities to grow your professional network

The Fellow will also be provided with a small stipend for relevant score purchases throughout the year.

Conducting Fellowship Audition

NOTE: Please read all the information in BOTH sections before emailing us your submission.

Please read all instructions carefully (in this section and the above section), and immediately mark any important dates in your calendar.

All applications must be complete and received by 11:59pm (CDT) April 14, 2026.

Selection Process:

Interested candidates should submit their

  • Resume

  • Reference(s)

  • Letter of interest, and

  • Links to conducting footage (or an emailed file)

Your conducting footage should show two contrasting excerpts, of 1-3 minutes for each excerpt, ideally with a live ensemble (however, conducting a live pianist playing an orchestral score reduction will be allowed). We strongly encourage you to submit footage no older than January 2025.

Please submit materials by e-mail by Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 11:59pm (CDT) to: The Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra - auditions@nashvillephilharmonic.org. Please include “NPO Conducting Fellow Application” in the subject line.

Select individuals will be invited to conduct members of the NPO in a live audition with the orchestra and interview with a committee on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Finalists selected for the live audition will be notified and sent audition repertoire on or before April 28, excerpts will likely be drawn from Howard Hanson’s Symphony No. 2, Silvestre Revueltas’ Sensemayá, and another piece to be determined.

Note about conducting footage: If directly emailing actual files, they should be .mp4 video files. Otherwise, links to files hosted on YouTube, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc. are acceptable. We do require that you include the date of the recording in the file name or video caption.

Incomplete applications will not be considered until all materials are received, and no incomplete application will be considered after April 14, 2026.