The Paul J.

Ross Fellowship Program

Auditions 2023
The Paul J. Ross Fellowship Program is a two-year program designed to enable musicians identifying as
Black or African American to dedicate themselves to the pursuit of an orchestral career. Fellows work
closely alongside members of the Pittsburgh Symphony to train and prepare for professional auditions
and opportunities, with substantial financial and professional development support, and robust
mentorship in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

The Paul J. Ross Fellowship is named in honor of the late Paul J. Ross, the violinist who, in 1965, was the
first African American musician to receive a full-time contract from the Pittsburgh Symphony. The legacy
of Paul J. Ross is notable for nurturing, mentoring, and supporting young musicians, and his devotion to
sharing his joy of music. Formerly known as OTPAAM (Orchestra Training Program for African American
Musicians), the fellowship program was begun in the 2007-2008 season to promote diversity in orchestra
settings to better reflect the diverse communities and audiences the orchestra serves.

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is grateful to the Arts, Equity, & Education Fund, and Hans and Leslie
Fleischner for major support of the Paul J. Ross Fellowship. The Pittsburgh Symphony is grateful to EQT
Foundation and FedEx Ground for support of the Paul J. Ross Fellowship program.

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is proud to be a partner orchestra of the National Alliance for Audition
Support (NAAS).

Deadline to apply: Monday, February 13, 2023

Program Overview:
• The two-year Fellowship begins September 4, 2023 and ends on August 31, 2025.
• Compensation and Benefits:
o Minimum annual pay each season is equivalent to 21 weeks at orchestra weekly scale;
for the 2023-2024 season this is $43,741.32.
o Single coverage on PSO medical, dental, instrument insurance, life and accident
insurance plans.
o Reimbursement of up to $8,000 per season in audition and professional development
expenses such as lessons, travel, hotel, sheet music, AFM membership, etc.
o Allowance for relocation to and from Pittsburgh at start and end of Fellowship
• Fellows play a minimum of 100 services with the PSO across all program types (Grand Classics,
Pops, Education, Community Outreach), scheduled collaboratively to accommodate auditions
and related preparation, as well as outside professional opportunities.
o Fellows playing more than 112 services receive additional compensation at the extra
musician rate ($260.37 per service in the 2023-2024 season).
o Annual pay includes an allowance for dedicated study time.
• Fellows have the ability and opportunity to tailor their experience to their own specific needs,
including:
o Mentorship from and mock auditions with members of the PSO
o Time on stage at Heinz Hall to take lessons or for personal practice
o Opportunity to observe PSO member auditions for insight on the audition process
o Working with the Learning and Community Engagement Department in schools,
hospitals, and community settings
o Consideration for a solo opportunity with the PSO
• All applicants will be considered for Pittsburgh Symphony substitute musician opportunities

The Paul J. Ross Fellowship Program Auditions 2023 (v1 1.6.23) Page 1 of 3
Fellowship Requirements:
• The Fellowship is open to musicians identifying as Black or African American (a person having
origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa)
• Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 35 on September 4, 2023
• Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree by September 4, 2023 is preferred
• Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States
• If engaged, Fellows must abide by all the policies and procedures for employees of the
Pittsburgh Symphony, Inc. (PSI).
• When working as an Extra Musician with the Orchestra, Fellows must abide by all the terms and
conditions of the Trade Agreement and modifications, as well as musician work rules.
• If offered this fellowship, you must be prepared to show your eligibility to work in the United States
within three days of beginning employment. If you are not authorized to work in the U.S., the PSO
does not assist with obtaining the necessary visa, authorization, or the cost of doing so.
• Fellowship Finalists must be confirmed to be fully vaccinated per CDC definition, and have
received CDC recommended boosters within three months after the CDC’s earliest
recommended date (which is currently six months for Pfizer and Moderna; or two months for
J&J), by submitting proof of such vaccination to the PSO; or to have an approved
accommodation due to a disability or because of a sincerely held religious belief. Please do not
submit proof of vaccination until requested to do so.
• Applications will be accepted for the following instruments for auditions in 2023:
o Violin
o Viola
o Cello
o Bass
o Oboe
o Clarinet
o Bassoon
o Trumpet
Application Process:
• Complete the online application form and submit required materials by February 13, 2023:
o Online application
o One-page performance resume
o Preliminary recording (link to audio-only recording; see below for instructions)
• Final candidates will be notified by Monday, February 27, 2023 if they are invited for a Final live
audition and interview on March 27-28, 2023 at Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA
15222.
• Finalists will have their travel and lodging for the live auditions paid for by the PSO.
• Repertoire lists for the preliminary recording and final live audition, and instructions to prepare
your recording, are below.

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Preliminary Recording Instructions:
Please observe the following in preparing your recording:
• Please prepare audio-only recordings
• Record only the repertoire on the recording repertoire list
• Excerpts do not need to be recorded in one take, but editing within an excerpt is not permitted
• Excerpts should be in the order in which they are listed on the recording repertoire list (please
allow 10 seconds between clips)
• Do not use accompaniment
• Do not announce excerpts or otherwise talk on the recording
• Non-conforming recordings will not be considered for review
• We recommend that you listen to your recording in its entirety to check recording quality before
submission.
• On the online application form, you will be asked for the link to your recording;
o Please make sure the file is not password protected
o If you do not have your own dropbox service, we suggest upload to YouTube as an
“unlisted” video
o Please note that we cannot accept recordings submitted via WeTransfer link

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 The Paul J. Ross Fellowship Auditions 2023
Repertoire List
**Please consult included instructions for preparing your Preliminary Recording**
Sight-reading may be asked in the final round of the audition.
The official pitch of the PSO is A=440

Violin Audition Repertoire

Preliminary Recording Repertoire
I. Solo
BEETHOVEN OR A POST BEETHOVEN Concerto
First mvt only, exposition only

II. Excerpts (all excerpts are first violin parts unless otherwise noted)
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9 – mvt. III: mm. 99-114
MENDELSSOHN A Midsummer Night’s Dream Scherzo: 8 mm. before [A] to 6 mm. after [D]
MOZART Symphony No. 39 – Movt 2, mm. 1-27
RACHMANINOFF Symphony No. 2 - mvt. II: 14 mm. after [32] to 4 mm. before [35] (Violin 2)
STRAUSS Don Juan – Beginning to 12 measures after [C]

Final Live Audition Repertoire

I. Solos
1. MOZART Violin Concerto (any)
First mvt, exposition only
AND
2. BEETHOVEN OR A POST BEETHOVEN Concerto
First mvt only, exposition only

II. Excerpts (all excerpts are first violin parts unless otherwise noted)
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9 – mvt. III: mm. 99-114
BRAHMS Symphony No. 4 – mvt. IV: mm. 33-81
DEBUSSY La Mer – mvt. II: [33] to 6 measures after [38]
MENDELSSOHN A Midsummer Night’s Dream Scherzo: 8 mm. before [A] to 6 mm. after [D]
MOZART Symphony No. 39 – Movt 2, mm. 1-27
RACHMANINOFF Symphony No. 2 - mvt. II: 14 mm. after [32] to 4 mm. before [35] (Violin 2)
SCHUMANN Symphony No. 2 – mvt. II: Pickups to mm. 1-48
STRAUSS Don Juan – Beginning to 12 measures after [C]

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 The Paul J. Ross Fellowship Auditions 2023
Repertoire List
**Please consult included instructions for preparing your Preliminary Recording**
Sight-reading may be asked in the final round of the audition.
The official pitch of the PSO is A=440

Viola Audition Repertoire

Preliminary Recording Repertoire

I. Solo
BARTOK, WALTON, or HINDEMITH Concerto – mvt. 1: first two pages for recording

II. Excerpts
BRAHMS Variations on a Theme by Haydn – Variation 5
BERLIOZ Roman Carnival Overture – Pickup to 2 mm. after [1] to 1 measure after [4]
COPLAND Appalachian Spring – [6] to [10] AND [11] to [14]

Final Live Audition Repertoire

I. Solos
BARTOK, WALTON, or HINDEMITH Concerto – mvt. 1 exposition
AND
BACH Any Cello Suite Prelude

II. Excerpts
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 5 – mvt. II: mm. 1-10, 49-59, 98-106
BERLIOZ Roman Carnival Overture – Pickup to 2 mm. after [1] to 1 m. after [4]
BRAHMS Symphony No. 4 – mvt. IV: [B] to [D]
BRAHMS Variations on a Theme by Haydn – Variations 5 and 7
COPLAND Appalachian Spring – [6] to [10] AND [11] to [14]
MENDELSSOHN A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Scherzo: mm. 17-93
MOZART Symphony No. 35 – mvt. IV: mm. 134-181
RAVEL Daphnis et Chloe Suite No. 2 – [158] to [166]
SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 5 – mvt. I: [15] to [17]
STRAUSS Don Juan – Beginning to 5 mm. before [D]

The Paul J. Ross Fellowship Program Auditions 2023 (v1 1.4.2023)

 The Paul J. Ross Fellowship Auditions 2023
Repertoire List
**Please consult included instructions for preparing your Preliminary Recording**
Sight-reading may be asked in the final round of the audition.
The official pitch of the PSO is A=440

Cello Audition Repertoire

Preliminary Recording Repertoire

I. Solo (play first page for recording)
Dvorak concerto in B minor 1st mvt until mm 134
OR
Haydn concerto in D major 1st mvt until mm 70

II. Excerpts
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 5
mvt. III: Pickup to mm. 1-18, 141-218
BRAHMS Symphony No. 2 – mvt. II: mm. 1-15
DEBUSSY La Mer – mvt. I: 2 measures before [9] to 6 measures after [9]
MENDELSSOHN A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Scherzo [C] to [D]

Final Live Audition Repertoire

I. Solo
Dvorak concerto in B minor 1st mvt until mm 134
OR
Haydn concerto in D major 1st mvt until mm 70

II. Excerpts
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 5
mvt. II: Pickups to mm. 1-10, 49-59, 98-106
mvt. III: Pickup to mm. 1-18, 141-218
BRAHMS Symphony No. 2 – mvt. II: mm. 1-15
DEBUSSY La Mer – mvt. I: 2 measures before [9] to 6 measures after [9]
MENDELSSOHN A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Scherzo [C] to [D] and [N] to [O]
MOZART Symphony No. 35 – mvt IV: mm. 134-181
STRAUSS Don Juan – Beginning to [D]
STRAUSS Ein Heldenleben: Beginning to 4 mm. after [5]; and 1 m. before [46] to 5 mm. after [49]
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 4 – mvt. II: mm. 21-42
VERDI Requiem – Offertorio: mm. 1-62

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 The Paul J. Ross Fellowship Auditions 2023
Repertoire List
**Please consult included instructions for preparing your Preliminary Recording**
Sight-reading may be asked in the final round of the audition.
The official pitch of the PSO is A=440

Bass Audition Repertoire

Preliminary Recording Repertoire
I. Solo
Koussevitzsky, Bottesini, or Vanhal Concerto Movement I exposition

II. Excerpts
Beethoven Symphony No. 5
Movement II: mm. 114-124
Movement III: mm. 180-218
Brahms Symphony No. 2
Movement I: [E] to [F]
Mozart Symphony No. 40
Movement I: Pickup to mm. 115-138
Strauss Ein Heldenleben
[77] to [78]

Final Live Audition Repertoire

I. Solo
Koussevitzsky, Bottesini, or Vanhal Concerto Movement I exposition

II. Excerpts
Bach Suite in B minor
Badinerie (no repeats)
Beethoven Symphony No. 5
Movement II: mm. 114-124
Movement III: mm. 1-160; and mm. 180-218
Berlioz Symphonie fantastique
Movement IV: [50] to [53]
Movement V: 1 measure after [70] to 8 measures after [74]
Brahms Symphony No. 2
Movement I: [E] to [F]
Movement IV: 8 measures before [L] to 1 measure before [M]
Mahler Symphony No. 2
Movement I: Beginning to [2]
Mozart Symphony No. 35
Movement IV: mm. 134-181
Mozart Symphony No. 40
Movement I: Pickup to mm. 115-138; and mm. 191-225
Movement IV: mm. 229-246
Strauss Ein Heldenleben
[9] to 6 measures after [12]; and [40] to [41]; and
[51] to [63]; and [77] to [78]

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 The Paul J. Ross Fellowship Auditions 2023
Repertoire List
**Please consult included instructions for preparing your Preliminary Recording**
Sight-reading may be asked in the final round of the audition.
The official pitch of the PSO is A=440

Oboe Audition Repertoire

Preliminary Recording Repertoire

(no solo)
BRAHMS Symphony No. 1
mvt. I: mm. 25-33
mvt. II: mm. 17-23 AND 38-43
MENDELSSOHN Symphony No. 3 – mvt. II: mm. 32-67 AND 83-100
RAVEL Le Tombeau de Couperin
mvt. I: Prélude - Beginning to [2] AND 5 after [8] to [9]
mvt. III: Minuet - Beginning to [4]

Final Live Audition Repertoire

I. Solo
Mozart Concerto in C – mvt. 1: Exposition; and mvt II: m.11-40

II. Excerpts (all 1st oboe)

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 3
mvt. II: mm. 8-16 AND 36-47
BRAHMS Symphony No. 1
mvt. I: mm. 25-33
mvt. II: mm. 17-23 AND 38-43
MENDELSSOHN Symphony No. 3 – mvt. II: mm. 32-67 AND 83-100
RAVEL Le Tombeau de Couperin
mvt. I: Prélude - Beginning to [2] AND 5 after [8] to [9]
mvt. III: Minuet - Beginning to [4]

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 The Paul J. Ross Fellowship Auditions 2023
Repertoire List
**Please consult included instructions for preparing your Preliminary Recording**
Sight-reading may be asked in the final round of the audition.
The official pitch of the PSO is A=440

Clarinet Audition Repertoire

Preliminary Recording Repertoire
I. Solo
Mozart – Clarinet Concerto, 1st mvt. mm.57-98

II. Excerpts
BRAHMS Symphony No. 3 - mvt. I: mm. 36-46
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Capriccio Espagnol
mvt. I: [A] to [B]
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 6 - mvt. I: mm. 474-492
MENDELSSOHN Symphony No. 3 - mvt. II: Pickup to mm. 9-67;

Final Live Audition Repertoire

I. Solo
Mozart – Clarinet Concerto, 1st mvt. (exposition)

II. Excerpts
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 4 - mvt. II: mm. 81-89
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 6 - mvt. I: mm. 474-492; and mvt. II: mm. 68-77
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 8 - mvt. III: mm. 48-78
BERLIOZ Symphonie Fantastique - mvt. III: 2 measures after [43] to [44]
BRAHMS Symphony No. 3 - mvt. I: mm. 36-46; and mvt. II: mm. 1-22
MENDELSSOHN A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Scherzo
Beginning to [B]
Pickup to [C] to [E]
[L] to [M]
7 m. before end to end
MENDELSSOHN Symphony No. 3 - mvt. II: Pickup to mm. 9-67; and mm. 84-122
PUCCINI Tosca - Act III: [11] to [12]
RACHMANINOFF Symphony No. 2 - mvt. III: Beginning to [47]
RAVEL Daphins et Chloé - 1 m. after [155] to 2 m. after [157]; and 2 m. after [212] to end
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Capriccio Espagnol
mvt. I: [A] to [B]; and [C] to 11 mm. before end
mvt. III: 10 mm. after [K] to end
mvt. IV: 4 mm. after [L] to 7 mm. before [M]
SCHUBERT Symphony No. 8 - mvt. II: mm. 66-83
SIBELIUS Symphony No. 1 - mvt. I: mm. 1-32
SIBELIUS Symphony No. 1 - mvt. III: 5 measures after [E] to 6 measures after [G]
TCHAIKOVSKY Francesca da Ramini - Solo between [M] and [N]
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 6 - mvt. I: mm. 54-80; and mm. 106-129; and mm. 153-160

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 The Paul J. Ross Fellowship Auditions 2023
Repertoire List
**Please consult included instructions for preparing your Preliminary Recording**
Sight-reading may be asked in the final round of the audition.
The official pitch of the PSO is A=440

Bassoon Audition Repertoire

Preliminary Recording Repertoire
I. Solo
MOZART Concerto for Bassoon K. 191
Mvt. I: beginning to end of development

II.Excerpts (all excerpts are first bassoon)

DONIZETTI L’elisir d’amore,
Una furtiva lagrima (mm 2-9)
MOZART The Marriage of Figaro Overture,
mm.101-123
STRAVINSKY The Rite of Spring
Beginning to 3 after [3]
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 6
Mvt. I: mm 1-12

Final Live Audition Repertoire

I. Solo
MOZART Concerto for Bassoon K. 191
Mvt. I: beginning to end of development

II.Excerpts (all excerpts are first bassoon)

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 4
Mvt. II: mm 59-61, and mm. 65-72
Mvt. IV: mm 15-25, 184-190, 300-302, 348-end
DONIZETTI L’elisir d’amore
Una furtiva lagrima (mm 2-9)
MENDELSSOHN Symphony No. 3
mvt. II
MOZART The Marriage of Figaro Overture
mm.101-123
*PRICE Symphony No. 1
Mvt. I: mm. 1-10
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Scheherazade
Mvt. II: mm 5 to [A]
Mvt. II: 1 measure after [L] to [M]
STRAVINSKY The Rite of Spring
Beginning to 3 after [3]
STRAUSS Eine Alpensinfonie
mm 1-8
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 4
Mvt. II: mm 274-end
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 6
Mvt. I: mm 1-12

*This excerpt will be provided to candidates invited to the Final live auditions.

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 The Paul J. Ross Fellowship Auditions 2023
Repertoire List
**Please consult included instructions for preparing your Preliminary Recording**
Sight-reading may be asked in the final round of the audition.
The official pitch of the PSO is A=440

Trumpet Audition Repertoire

Preliminary Recording Repertoire
(no solo)
MUSSORGSKY/ RAVEL Pictures at an Exhibition – Promenade: Opening to [2]
BEETHOVEN Leonore Overture No. 2 – Offstage fanfare (play once)
RESPIGHI Pines of Rome – mvt. II: offstage solo
STRAUSS Ein Heldenleben – 6 mm. after [49] to [55] (1st Eb Trumpet)
DEBUSSY Fêtes from Nocturnes – 8 mm. after [10] to [11]
WAGNER Tannhäuser Overture: 1 m. before [M] to end

Final Live Audition Repertoire

I. Solo
HAYDN Trumpet Concerto – mvt. 1 with cadenza, and mvt. 2

II. Excerpts (all excerpts are for 1st trumpet unless noted)
BEETHOVEN Leonore Overture No. 2 – Offstage fanfare
BEETHOVEN Leonore Overture No. 3– Offstage fanfare
BIZET Carmen – Prelude to Act I
BRUCKNER Symphony No. 7 – mvt. I: mm. 91-98; and mm. 139-148; and mm. 233-246
DEBUSSY Fêtes from Nocturnes – 8 mm. after [10] to [11]
MAHLER Symphony No. 5, Mvt I
Beginning to 6 mm. after [1]
Pickups to [3] to 4 mm. before [4]
[10] to 7 mm. before [12]
1 m. before [13] to 1 m. before [14]
MUSSORGSKY/ RAVEL Pictures at an Exhibition – Promenade: Opening to [2]
RAVEL Piano Concerto in G – mvt. I: [2] to [3]
RESPIGHI Pines of Rome – mvt. II: offstage solo
SCHUMANN Symphony No. 2 – mvt. I: mm. 1-13
STRAUSS Ein Heldenleben – 6 mm. after [49] to [55] (1st Eb Trumpet)
STRAVINSKY Petrouchka(1947) – Ballerina’s Dance: 1 m. before [134] to [139]
WAGNER Tannhäuser Overture: 1 m. before [M] to end

The Paul J. Ross Fellowship Program Auditions 2023 (v1 1.3.2023)