FOOSA Philharmonic
Our FOOSA Philharmonic is a pre-professional orchestra that allows advanced musicians of college and high school age* to enjoy a side-by-side performance experience with our outstanding faculty members. This year’s program features Szymanowski’s Concert Overture and Mahler’s Symphony No. 7.
Musicians accepted into this program enjoy
daily private lessons
daily orchestra rehearsals and sectionals
recital opportunities
professional orchestral recording session
performances at the Saroyan Theater and Fresno State Concert Hall
This is a full-immersion program that engenders a sense of orchestral community in all participants. FOOSA 2024 runs June 9-23.
APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ON A ROLLING BASIS UNTIL ALL POSITIONS ARE FILLED
DEADLINE FOR ACCEPTANCE, FELLOWSHIPS, AND TUITION ASSISTANCE IS MARCH 15.
If you have more questions about the FOOSA Philharmonic and the audition videos, feel free to visit our FOOSA PHILHARMONIC FAQ PAGE first, before heading directly to getacceptd.com to APPLY FOR FOOSA PHILHARMONIC.
Clicking on the image to the right will also get you to our getacceptd.com FOOSA application page.
Typical day for FOOSA Phil (activities occur every day, including weekends)
9:00a-1:00p: individual lessons, rehearsals with accompanists, practice hours
1:00p-2:30p: lunch break
2:30p-3:30p: sectionals
4:00p-6:00p: full-orchestra rehearsal
Participants enjoy dinner with their families or host families, or per arrangement on campus (for those staying in the dorms).
Student recitals, faculty recitals, some master classes, and the concerto competition preliminaries and finals are scheduled for after dinner, starting at 8:00pm.
The FOOSA Philharmonic will feature our guest artist faculty as principal players, performing side-by-side with participants. Faculty will also teach the daily private lessons and will run sectionals.
FOOSA Philharmonic members are eligible to participate in the FOOSA CONCERTO COMPETITION, vying for a chance to solo with the FOOSA Philharmonic.
Merit-based full and partial tuition fellowships will be made available to qualified FOOSA Philharmonic college and/or graduate school student participants on the basis of audition videos and teacher recommendations. Fellows will be given specific mentoring responsibilities according to their inclinations and abilities.
Limited need-based assistance is available. A completed Tuition Assistance Form and related documents will be requested after acceptance into the program.
*A select number of exceptionally advanced younger pre-college students may be offered spots in the FOOSA Philharmonic. Eligibility will be decided on the basis of submitted audition videos and teacher recommendations.
“BEST BEST BEST experience a young musician could ever have.
I can’t say how much this experience has inspired and motivated my daughter to reach for goals she didn’t think possible.
Loved, loved, loved what all the faculty brought to the performances.
The long hours of playing and opportunity to master my craft gave me an excellent opportunity not only to hone my craft and grow as a musician, but as a person when I got to experience working with other musicians.
I loved being in FOOSA!”