Equity Arc
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Equity Arc (formerly the National Instrumentalist Mentoring and Advancement Network) is coalition charged by its diverse membership of local and national organizations to align, promote and develop equitable opportunities for aspiring classical musicians from underrepresented ethnicities. With a vision to create a level playing field for artists from backgrounds underrepresented in classical music, Equity Arc engages a broad coalition of members to both break down barriers to BIPOC musicians achieving success in the field and dismantle the structural inequities, biases, and systemic racism ingrained in many of the policies and practices in our field.
Equity Arc Ensembles
Equity Arc Pathways Orchestra:
The core ensemble of Equity Arc, the Pathways Orchestra is composed of young artists who study at pathways programs across the country. Pathways programs offer comprehensive support and mentorship to pre-college musicians from backgrounds underrepresented in classical music. Programs that are members of Equity Arc's National Collective for Musical Pathways nominate their fellows to audition for the Pathways Orchestra. The 2025 Pathways Orchestra will take place in Chicago, IL April 3-6, 2025.
Please note that eligibility for the Pathways Orchestra is limited to BIPOC musicians who study at programs that are members of the National Collective for Musical Pathways. If you have any questions about eligibility, please contact us at magee@equityarc.org.
The Audition:
- Solo Works: The solo should be 3-5 minutes of any work of your choice and may be performed with or without accompaniment.
- Orchestral Excerpts: Two contrasting orchestral excerpts of your choice
Interested in learning more? Join us for an info session on September 3rd at 8 pm ET.
Register Here.
Send us an email at magee@equityarc.org with any additional questions!
Equity Arc Wind Symphony:
Equity Arc is collaborating with the United States Marine Band "The President's Own" to present a musical intensive for young musicians on May 1-4, 2025 in Washington DC. This tuition-free multi-day program includes intensive rehearsals, mock auditions, and a side-by-side performance led by musicians from the Marine Band.
The Audition:
- Solo Works: The solo should be 3-5 minutes of any work of your choice and may be performed with or without accompaniment.
- Excerpts: A lyrical and technical excerpt of your choice drawn from the USMB Excerpt Packet.
Interested in learning more? Join us on September 5th at 8 pm ET for an info session.
Register Here.
Common Application for Summer Study
Our Partners
Ascent International Chamber Music Festival
Boston University Tanglewood Institute
Brevard Music Center Summer Institute and Festival
Credo Music
Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival
Greenwood Music Camp
Interlochen Arts Camp
Kinhaven Music School
Luzerne Music Center
Madeline Island Chamber Music
National Orchestral Institute + Festival
National Repertory Orchestra
National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute
National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America
NYO2
New England Conservatory Summer Orchestra Institute
New England Music Camp
Sewanee Summer Music Festival
VIA Academy
Based on the requirements of each program, there are two separate audition lists. You may use the same solo repertoire for each list and will be able to upload an additional selection in case any additional minutes are needed.
List 1 Programs, Audition, and Deadlines:
Two contrasting solo works of 3-7 minutes – please note one selection should be the exposition from a standard concerto
Three orchestral excerpts from our shared excerpt list. If you are a percussionist or interested in playing an auxiliary instrument, please be sure to submit any additional excerpts.
- Ages 14-20
- String applicants should prepare list 2 repertoire
- Ages 18-29
- Ages 18-26 - all applicants to the Mahler Project will be automatically considered for the String Intensive
- Ages 18-30
- Ages 18-29
- Ages 15-20
- Ages 16-19
- Ages 14-17
List 2 Programs, Audition, and Deadlines:
Contrasting solo materials of 6-10 minutes, up to three selections will be accepted. If you are also applying to programs from List 1, please ensure that one of your selections is the exposition of a major concerto.
- Ages 14-30
- Ages 14-20
- Ages 14-18 by the start of the program
- String Intensive - March 15 priority, rolling admissions after
- Ages 12-19
- Credo Boston - May 25
- Ages 12-18
- Credo St. Louis- March 31
- Ages 12-18
- Ages 14-30
- Junior Session: Ages 10-13 - January 15
- Senior Session: Ages 13-18 - February 8
- 13-year-old applicants who have not yet completed 8th grade by the time of Senior Camp are encouraged to apply to Junior Camp.
- Grades 3-12
- Junior Session: 4th-8th grade
- Senior Session: 8th-12th grade
- Young Artist Seminar: College + Pre-Professional
- Junior Session: 9-15
- Senior Session: 14-18
- Chamber Music For Strings: Ages 14-24
- Chamber Music For Winds: Ages 14-24
- Fellowship String Quartet: Ages 18–24
- Ages 13-18
- please note that it is recommended to include any two orchestral excerpts of choice in your 6-10 minutes of repertoire
- Core - Rolling
- Ages 11-18
- Prelude - Rolling
- Ages 9-13
- Chamber Music Intensive
- Ages 14-19
- Ages 14-24
- Ages: Grades 9-12
The Process
You can apply to each program separately at their application deadlines. The answers you provide in your first application will autofill for each additional application that you fill out. Please note that you must submit an application for each program to which you would like to apply.
Your application fees are covered by Equity Arc! To apply to our programs, you'll need to sign our eligibility statement and agree to our privacy policy and terms of use - send us an email at magee@equityarc.org with any eligibility questions!
For technical questions please visit the Acceptd Help Desk.