Orchestra announces Career Accelerator programme
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra launched the recruitment for its new CBSO Career Accelerator programme.
Supported by Esm�e Fairbairn Foundation and the Foyle Foundation, it is a long-term paid career development programme that will support five early-career string musicians from under-represented backgrounds through performance, training and development opportunities to help kick-start a career in orchestral performance.
The three-year programme will initially run from January - July 2023 and the String Fellows will be offered a minimum of 60 days freelance work with the CBSO including opportunities to perform alongside the full orchestra, smaller chamber work, Learning & Engagement activities, audition coaching and one-to-one mentoring, as well as wider engagement in the CBSO 's work.
The CBSO said that Roger Wilson, director of operations, Black Lives in Music will be working with the orchestra as a consultant on the Career Accelerator programme, which is aimed at musicians from currently under-represented backgrounds in the orchestral world, including musicians from the Global Majority; those from lower socio-economic backgrounds; Deaf, Disabled, or neurodivergent musicians; those from LGBTQ+ community; and those from marginalised genders.
Stephen Maddock, CBSO chief executive said: “I 'm delighted that we are announcing this important new scheme today. There is a great deal of work to be done to ensure that there are opportunities for everyone within classical music and all of us at the CBSO are committed to playing our part in that. ”
Helen Edgar, cellist at CBSO and lead musician for the programme said: “The CBSO 's Career Accelerator programme is a step-change in our approach to representation. Our sector is not yet representative of contemporary society, and we are grateful to the programme 's supporters for helping us make an important impact on our own work and the future of the sector. We look forward to appointing our Career Accelerator Fellows and working with them in future. ”
Roger Wilson, director of operations, Black Lives in Music said: “It is so important for organisations to take action to redress systemic imbalances and increase access to world-class opportunities. This is starting to happen across the orchestral sector, and Black Lives in Music are proud to see the CBSO making steps towards positive change. ”