Join the NPO

Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of the Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra, Nashville’s premiere community orchestra! Explore the several ways to get involved below, and sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when new openings and fellowships are available.

The NPO rehearses Tuesday evenings, typically southwest of downtown Nashville (37205). Our concert pairs are usually Sundays at 4:00 & Tuesdays at 7:30pm.

Auditions

Current Openings:

harp

If there are any instruments listed above, you may submit an audition for that instrument now!

If your instrument is not listed above, please check back regularly, or send an email with the subject “NPO Audition Wait List” to auditions@nashvillephilharmonic.org and we will contact you if we have any openings on your instrument during the season.

If you have any questions that are not answered on this page, please Contact Us and we will get back to you soon.

To audition, please send your audition recording, attached as a file or a link to a file, as described below, to auditions@nashvillephilharmonic.org.

In the subject line, please include the heading NPO Audition along with your instrument. For example: NPO Audition: Cello.

In the body of your email, please include the following:

  • Your name, address, email address, phone number

  • Your instrument

  • A brief summary of your musical training

  • A video audition as described below. The video may be sent as an mp4 attachment (Gmail or WeTransfer) or as a link (YouTube, Vimeo, or Dropbox)

Your audition video should contain**:

  • Helpful videography angle and distance such that your technique is clearly visible (for example, embouchures, hand positions, etc. unobstructed by music stands)

  • Your current playing. Namely, please make the video specifically for this audition. While you can feel free to do multiple takes for each selection, please ensure the takes themselves are unedited.

  • Two scales of your choice covering a reasonable range of your instrument: one scale played slowly, the other scale played at fastest accurate speed

  • Two to four minutes total of a solo, etude, concerto, or excerpts–or portions thereof–that showcase your musical ability (please contact us ahead of time if you are uncertain)

  • If you play multiple instruments that are frequently expected to double in an orchestra (ex: clarinet audition who also plays Eb and/or bass clarinet), please include videos for each instrument that you would like to be considered. Doubling instruments are not required, but helpful to know if applicable.

**NOTE: For percussionists who do not have easy access to timpani & mallet instruments, please contact us if you are interested but have questions about what should be included in the audition video.

Please Note: The NPO is a volunteer community orchestra. We do not typically accept college students pursuing a music degree or high school students. However students may participate in our competitions.

Volunteers

& Staff

The Nashville Philharmonic is regularly looking for volunteers to assist as concert ushers and occasionally in other concert production work. If you already love the NPO and attend our concerts, and are interested in helping welcome guests to those concerts, please reach out to us using this link and we will be happy to have you join our regular concert usher crew. Concert ushers must have: a love for the NPO and orchestral music and a friendly welcome.

The NPO is not currently hiring staff at this time.

Fellowships

Leonardo Rosario

2026-2027 Conducting Fellow

Dr. Leonardo Rosario is an emerging conductor, experienced violinist, and college professor, originally from Brazil. As a conductor, Dr. Rosario focuses heavily on inspiring new generations of musicians, leading vibrant and diverse orchestral repertoire and dynamic educational initiatives. He currently serves as Assistant Professor of Strings and Director of the Symphony Orchestra at Lee University, where he conducts the university’s ensemble in a wide range of symphonic repertoire. On the international stage, his recent podium highlights include directing the Berlin Sinfonietta as part of the International Masterclass Berlin under the direction of Professor Johannes Wildner. He is excited to join the Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra as a Conducting Fellow for the upcoming season.

Well-versed as a soloist and orchestral violinist, Dr. Rosario has also performed with ensembles such as the Youth Orchestra of the Americas, the Minas Gerais Philharmonic, the Chattanooga Symphony, the Wichita Symphony, the Spartanburg Philharmonic, and the Fayetteville Symphony. Throughout his career as a performer, he has had the distinct privilege of playing under the baton of legendary maestros, including Kurt Masur, Lorin Maazel, and Gustavo Dudamel. He holds a master’s degree from the Boston Conservatory and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree (DMA) from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Past Conducting Fellows

Vaughn Richardson

Tal Benatar

Nathan Bieber

Esther “Esi” Tupper

Shreyas Patel

Elias Salazar

Jessica Reeves

Fellowship Opportunities

The NPO Conducting Fellow is an opportunity for an emerging conductor to gain experience with the artistic and administrative operations of an orchestra.

Applications for the 2026-27 Conducting Fellow have now closed. Check back here for more information on future opportunities.