Considering the Fellowship? (part 2: Fellowship facts & background)
Read other parts of this series 1 | 2| 3 | 4 | 5
Thanks for checking back in. Before I start with my story, I thought it might be helpful to begin with some background info and facts about the American Symphony Orchestra League's Orchestra Management Fellowship Program.
The American Symphony Orchestra League is a national organization that serves hundreds of orchestras around the nation (and about 32 internationally) by providing support to the leaders of the industry in the form of services. They sponsor and host everything from conferences to workshops to seminars to training programs and beyond. (For a more detailed look at what they do, check out their website at www.symphony.org.) The Orchestra Management Fellowship is one of their staple training programs.
Who is the Fellowship designed for?
The Fellowship program is designed for young professionals in the field of orchestra management with a strong desire to lead the industry over the years to come. Since the program began in 1980-1981, 151 men and women of diverse ages, experience levels, and nationalities have "graduated" and the majority of alumni are currently working directly with orchestras or in some related non-profit industry (I count well over 100). The number of participating Fellows per year has fluctuated over the past twenty years. There have been as many as eight and as few as three (this year), but over the past few years, five has become the general standard. To the best of my knowledge, this is likely to continue.
What is it?
Many fields of business (and individual companies) both in the for-profit and non-profit industries have them: executive training programs for promising future talent. In the world of orchestra management, the Fellowship program is it. The program focuses on providing Fellows first-hand experience and leadership training from top industry professionals. These professionals, primarily senior staff and executive directors of host assignment orchestras, act as mentors to the Fellows. In addition to working directly with these folks, Fellows also receive a good deal of leadership training through a series of three leadership seminars headed by John McCann.
Back in the day, alumni were expected to rise to executive director positions at an accelerated pace but nowadays, the League realizes the need for top leaders all across the organization and that pressure has eased quite a bit. So, although the year is designed from the “big picture” perspective of an executive director, it is not uncommon for alumni to settle in individual departments directly after they “graduate” and well into their careers.
When does it take place?
Currently, this yearlong program runs from June to June. The year is broken up into a series of four major assignments. The first takes place over the summer with the second lasting from Sep. to Dec. The third is relatively short and finishes around the end of March and the final assignment picks up from there and runs until June. The year is pretty continuous and only about two weeks of vacation time (after the first and second assignments) are allotted.
Where will it take place?
All over the country...count on it. Each of my assignments takes place in a different area of the country although consecutive assignments in the same metropolitan area have occurred in the past. Almost immediately after being selected, Fellows are asked to list their preferred locations. However, not every city is represented and not every orchestra would necessarily serve their needs best. Therefore, these requests cannot always be honored (they were not in my case). In addition to the four assignments, recent classes of Fellows have had two to three additional trips. These trips include a two week stay in New York City (to meet industry leaders and attend the second of three leadership seminars) and either one or two trips to the League's National Conference at the beginning and end of the year.
Why consider?
Excellent question. This program is not for everyone. It carries with it very large pros and very large potential cons.
Pros:
Next time, I will start with my personal Fellowship story in part 3. Stay tuned…
Read other parts of this series 1 | 2| 3 | 4 | 5
Thanks for checking back in. Before I start with my story, I thought it might be helpful to begin with some background info and facts about the American Symphony Orchestra League's Orchestra Management Fellowship Program.
The American Symphony Orchestra League is a national organization that serves hundreds of orchestras around the nation (and about 32 internationally) by providing support to the leaders of the industry in the form of services. They sponsor and host everything from conferences to workshops to seminars to training programs and beyond. (For a more detailed look at what they do, check out their website at www.symphony.org.) The Orchestra Management Fellowship is one of their staple training programs.
Who is the Fellowship designed for?
The Fellowship program is designed for young professionals in the field of orchestra management with a strong desire to lead the industry over the years to come. Since the program began in 1980-1981, 151 men and women of diverse ages, experience levels, and nationalities have "graduated" and the majority of alumni are currently working directly with orchestras or in some related non-profit industry (I count well over 100). The number of participating Fellows per year has fluctuated over the past twenty years. There have been as many as eight and as few as three (this year), but over the past few years, five has become the general standard. To the best of my knowledge, this is likely to continue.
What is it?
Many fields of business (and individual companies) both in the for-profit and non-profit industries have them: executive training programs for promising future talent. In the world of orchestra management, the Fellowship program is it. The program focuses on providing Fellows first-hand experience and leadership training from top industry professionals. These professionals, primarily senior staff and executive directors of host assignment orchestras, act as mentors to the Fellows. In addition to working directly with these folks, Fellows also receive a good deal of leadership training through a series of three leadership seminars headed by John McCann.
Back in the day, alumni were expected to rise to executive director positions at an accelerated pace but nowadays, the League realizes the need for top leaders all across the organization and that pressure has eased quite a bit. So, although the year is designed from the “big picture” perspective of an executive director, it is not uncommon for alumni to settle in individual departments directly after they “graduate” and well into their careers.
When does it take place?
Currently, this yearlong program runs from June to June. The year is broken up into a series of four major assignments. The first takes place over the summer with the second lasting from Sep. to Dec. The third is relatively short and finishes around the end of March and the final assignment picks up from there and runs until June. The year is pretty continuous and only about two weeks of vacation time (after the first and second assignments) are allotted.
Where will it take place?
All over the country...count on it. Each of my assignments takes place in a different area of the country although consecutive assignments in the same metropolitan area have occurred in the past. Almost immediately after being selected, Fellows are asked to list their preferred locations. However, not every city is represented and not every orchestra would necessarily serve their needs best. Therefore, these requests cannot always be honored (they were not in my case). In addition to the four assignments, recent classes of Fellows have had two to three additional trips. These trips include a two week stay in New York City (to meet industry leaders and attend the second of three leadership seminars) and either one or two trips to the League's National Conference at the beginning and end of the year.
Why consider?
Excellent question. This program is not for everyone. It carries with it very large pros and very large potential cons.
Pros:
- This is a great way to gain a ton of hands-on experience with multiple organizations in practically every nook and cranny of the orchestral structure. Assignments can be catered toward your individual needs.
- The networking. It is truly amazing how many industry leaders Fellows either get to meet or work with over the course of the year. “The Fellowship is what you make of it.” Added personal initiative will go a very long way in this category.
- Being a “Fellow” is a lifelong experience. As you read this, a new alumni network is being developed for “graduates” of the program. It will work much like a college alumni network in providing various types of support throughout the course of a Fellow’s career. You can check out the formation of this network at www.fellowsforum.org.
- The Fellowship has a good reputation for selecting and training top talent. Having it on your resume is a definite plus.
- Picking up one’s life and relocating several times over the course of a year is not easy. This includes being prepared to find and finance a new place to live every few months. Some lucky Fellows get housing provided for by their host orchestras, some do not (like me so far).
- The $25,000 stipend can also be a large hurdle for many. In particular, I am referring to those who already have a spouse, children and mortgage to manage. Currently the stipend will remain the same for at least the next year.
- All of the traveling can take an emotional toll on you. This has been especially true for Fellows with spouses and/or children.
- This program is the real deal. If a dispassionate individual only flirting with the idea of a serious career in orchestra management applies and is accepted. It is likely that he/she will be very unsatisfied with their experience.
Next time, I will start with my personal Fellowship story in part 3. Stay tuned…
Read other parts of this series 1 | 2| 3 | 4 | 5
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