Equity Arc
Start an Application
Narrow your Search
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.
National Pathways Festival Orchestra:
The core ensemble of Equity Arc, the National Pathways Festival 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 Festival Orchestra. The 2024 Festival will take place in Nashville, TN, April 6-8, 2024. Fellows will prepare a program under the direction of Maestro Giancarlo Guerrero, working alongside musicians from the Nashville Symphony.
To be considered for the Festival, submit your application and audition via Acceptd.
Please note that you must study at a pathways program that is part of the National Collective for Musical Pathways and have been nominated by your program director to be eligible to apply.
The audition repertoire is 3-5 minutes of a solo of your choice as well as a standard orchestral excerpt of your choice.
Questions? Send us an email at magee@equityarc.org
Common Application for Summer Study
Stay tuned for details of Summer '24 coming soon!
Our Partners
Ascent International Chamber Music Festival
Boston University Tanglewood Institute
Brevard Music Center Summer Institute and Festival
Credo
Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival
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 and String Academy
Summer @ SFCM
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:
TBD
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 suggested excerpt list
List 2 Programs, Audition, and Deadlines:
TBD
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.
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 - send us an email at magee@equityarc.org with any eligibility questions!
For technical questions please visit the Acceptd Help Desk.