National Alliance for Audition Support

The League of American Orchestras is thrilled to be part of the launch of the National Alliance for Audition Support, an initiative that began with a discussion at a Diversity Forum convened by the League of American Orchestras and the Mellon Foundation in 2015.

The Alliance is an unprecedented national initiative to increase diversity in American orchestras. It will do so by offering Black and Latinx musicians a customized combination of mentoring, audition preparation, financial support, and audition previews.

The NAAS is made up of The Sphinx Organization, the lead program and fiscal administrator for the Alliance; the New World Symphony, America’s Orchestral Academy; and the League of American Orchestras, representing 700 orchestras. A group of Black and Latinx professional musicians will be thought leaders, guides, and advisors for the Alliance. The NAAS is supported by a four-year grant of $1.8M from the Mellon Foundation as well as contributions from orchestras across the U.S. The Alliance is also grateful to the American Federation of Musicians, the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians, and the Regional Orchestra Players Association for their participation and support.

For more details:

• Read a press release (April 18, 2018) (PDF)
• Read a New York Times story on the initiative
• Read a Washington Post story on the initiative

The National Alliance for Audition Support is made possible with the support of the Mellon Foundation.

Banner: NAAS 2019 audition intensive. Photo: courtesy of New World Symphony