Early and mid-career professionals, musicians, career changers, and students are eligible to apply, as well as experienced administrators who wish to expand and deepen their knowledge base in all aspects of an orchestral organization. The League especially invites applicants from backgrounds that have been historically underrepresented in the orchestral field.

In a highly competitive application process, up to 36 participants will be selected based on demonstrated experience, potential, commitment to serving American orchestras, and motivation and goals for participating in this professional development seminar. Program applicants will receive a one-year professional membership to the League of American Orchestras.

All applicants, whether accepted to Essentials or not, will receive the super early bird discounted registration rate to the League’s National Conference in Pittsburgh, June 14-16, 2023.

Applications for 2023 have closed.

Find details about application materials and requirements in the 2023 Application Guidelines.

• Application fee: $60 *
• Program tuition: $3,850 

Tuition covers 10 days of instruction and housing for up to 11 nights on The Juilliard School campus, and concert tickets. Residency on site is required. Each participant will be responsible for covering their own costs of travel and most meals. Participants are expected to commit to all 10 days of the seminar and attend all sessions and associated events. Partial attendance is not permitted: participants will receive a non-credit Juilliard Extension certificate upon completion.

Accommodation is provided in single-occupancy bedrooms with shared private bathrooms and lounge space in the Meredith Willson Residence Hall on The Juilliard School campus. Check-in is on Tuesday, July 25 or Wednesday, July 26; check-out on Friday, July 4 or Saturday, August 5.

A limited number of need-based tuition awards are available for U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents only. Those wishing to apply for financial aid may do so in the application.

* Please note that the application fee is nonrefundable. All applicants, whether accepted to Essentials or not, will receive the super early bird discounted registration rate to the League’s National Conference in Pittsburgh, June 14-16, 2022.

The cost of tuition and travel expense can be prohibitive for many aspiring orchestra leaders, and our goal is to remove this barrier as we work to recruit a higher number of talented candidates from all backgrounds, regardless of ability to pay. As part of the League’s commitment to diversifying executive leadership in American orchestras, we are pleased to announce two new scholarship opportunities for Essentials of Orchestra Management participants.

The Trish and Rick Bryan Scholarships for Orchestral Leadership will provide full scholarships for participants in the Essentials of Orchestra Management program for whom the cost of attending is a barrier to access. The Trish and Rich Bryan Scholarship for Orchestral Leadership will provide up to 10 Essentials participants annually with scholarships.

The 25th Century Foundation has established a fund to support scholarships for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) participants from the Philadelphia metropolitan region including Greater Philadelphia, Delaware, and Southern New Jersey. The grant from the 25th Century Foundation will provide select BIPOC participants full scholarships including tuition and travel expenses.

Applicants can request consideration for financial aid as part of the application process.

This year’s seminar is taught and directed by a faculty comprised of master leaders of the orchestra field and beyond, including:

2023 Core Faculty

• Scott Faulkner (Seminar Director), Principal Bass, Reno Philharmonic & Reno Chamber Orchestra; Former Executive Director, Reno Chamber Orchestra
• Jennifer Barlament, Executive Director, Atlanta Symphony
• Alex Laing, Principal Clarinet, The Phoenix Symphony

2023 League Leadership

• Simon Woods, President and CEO
• Caen Thomason-Redus, VP, Inclusion and Learning
• David Styers, Director, Learning and Leadership Programs

2023 Juilliard Leadership

• John-Morgan Bush, Dean of Juilliard Extension, The Juilliard School

2023 Guest Faculty

• Lisa Brown Alexander, President and CEO, Nonprofit HR  
• Marlah Bonner-McDuffie, VP of Development, League of American Orchestras
• Michelle Miller Burns, President and CEO, Minnesota Orchestras
• Rosina Cannizzaro, Executive Director, Vermont Youth Orchestra Association
• Patrick Castillo, VP Artistic Planning, NY Phil 
• Gary Ginstling, Executive Director, New York Philharmonic
• Doug Hagerman, Board Chair, League of American Orchestras 
• Sarah Johnson, Chief Education Officer, Carnegie Hall
• Eun Lee, Founder and Executive Director, The Dream Unfinished: An Activist Orchestra 
• Anwar Nasir, Executive Director, Louisiana Philharmonic 
• Kim Noltemy, CEO, Dallas Symphony Orchestra
• Heather Noonan, VP, Advocacy, League of American Orchestras  
• Gary Padmore, VP, Education and Community Engagement, New York Philharmonic
• Doris Parent, VP of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Strategies (IDEAS) and Strategic Partnerships 
• Faith Raiguel, Former CFO, LA Opera; Board Member: Idyllwild Arts, Silk Road, Street Symphony 
• Bill Thomas, Senior VP and COO, New York Philharmonic 
• Michelle Zwi, Operations and Touring Manager, Philadelphia Orchestra • Executive Director, Penn Med Symphony

Additional faculty to be announced. Faculty subject to change.