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New World Symphony

I am auditioning for programs right now and and curious what people’s experiences have been like at New World. I saw a post already about the orchestra now training orchestra so I thought it would be good to get opinions about this one as well

7 answers0 replies

7 Comments

Notsure

Feb 19

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Ok but serious question: how has recent fellows' time at NWS been with the rise in freak hurricanes, political unrest, all the other stuff going on in America (especially that this is in a red state)? The program itself sounds incredible, and certainly worth attending for the development alone, but from over here on the European side it's more and more looking like one should really avoid going stateside if one can help it.

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Replying to

Well from the American side, there seems to be a much more established academy/training pathway embedded in the European orchestras. We only have a couple of recognized programs for this, and they are mostly independent from the professional ensembles.

Are there actually students in the EU who are interested in coming to the states for a temporary academy position like New World? That would surprise me, regardless of whatever social/political/climatological unrest we have here.

Notsure

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Replying to

While the EU has a more recognised pathway for training towards professional orchestras, ie you go to conservatory, then join an orchestra’s academy, then win a job, this pathway is very age limited. If you’re over 27 you cannot audition for an orchestral academy, so you can’t access the same benefits if, let’s say, you moved to Europe from North America or you learned your instrument later than the usual age. NWS then looks like a good opportunity to “catch up” on the kind of academy training you would have received. Therefore my question: outside of the obvious amazing training and musical experiences, is it enjoyable to live in Miami for up to 3 years these days, or are they always evading hurricanes and dealing with the woes of the current government?

Likewise is there any interest for musicians in the US to go European given the current situation?

OutlawNoHires

Feb 19

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Aside from both being “training orchestras” NWS has very little in common with TON. I would not equate the two in any way when weighing a decision for your next career move. It is clear which one is superior, if you believe even a shred of what has been said in the TON thread…

NWS is a respected nstitution with 30+ years of history. The success of the fellows is well documented, there are literally hundreds of them in all the highest profile jobs in the biggest orchestra jobs.

The level of the ensemble is comparable (and often better) than a mid-tier professional orchestra. It’s still a training orchestra with a pretty young average age, but no one there is a slouch at their instrument. The guest conductors and soloists they bring in are absolute top class. While you don’t get weekly lessons, you get coaching from the top players on your instrument several times a year, while establishing a quality professional network.

You get free housing and utilities in a place you would otherwise struggle to afford living (Miami Beach) and you play in an architectural marvel of a building. The weekly stipend could always be better, but it’s enough to live on and pay for audition expenses. They also have loan programs that allow fellows to buy the more expensive instruments they otherwise might not afford.

Obviously it’s not perfect, but nothing is. One complaint I hear a lot is that they don’t offer their fellows health insurance. Also, I heard that foreign (non-US) musicians have their visa fees deducted from their stipends, so they make a bit less than US-born players which seems lame.

Also the schedule is just as busy as a top tier orchestra, and the repertoire is often harder given the amount of chamber music and new music you have to play. There are also mandatory seminars, workshops, education and community work, and audience engagement stuff that fellows complain about interfering with their practice time. People have certainly left NWS early in order to go to a diploma program so they could just focus on taking auditions. But I would recommend to stay there (unless you win a job) and only go to a diploma school if you need to afterward.

Again, no school or training program is perfect but New World is the only place out there providing a real link between school and professional world, if that’s something you want or need.

anonymously0423

Feb 17

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If you win a spot at the New World Symphony, you should 100% take it. New World Symphony should not be compared to orchestra now, as they are in such different ballparks.

I'm sure you've read all the opinions about Orchestra Now.

Vlaplr192

Feb 17

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Replying to

Did you do NWS?

invisible

Feb 17

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both are great programs to be in while auditioning for orchestras. i dont know as much about TON, but i know that NWS they cover your housing and i believe you get a daily stipend.