Eligibility & Guidelines

Applications are now OPEN.

The current application cycle will be for the 2026-2027 season.

The residency dates will be March 16-21, 2027 (residency begins on 3/16 if concert is on Saturday and on 3/17 if concert is on Sunday) OR April 13-18, 2027 (residency begins on 4/13 if concert is on Saturday and on 4/14 if concert is on Sunday). First place winner will be allowed first choice of dates. These dates cannot be moved or deferred.

Finalists are required to attend and give an online Zoom presentation on Friday, December 12, 2025 between 10-11:30 AM EST.

Any U.S. youth orchestra may apply for an Orchestra Residency Program (ORP) with Midori.
The youth orchestra(s) must function during the academic year from fall through spring.
The youth orchestra or parent adult orchestra must be a member in good standing of the League of American Orchestras.
The youth orchestra’s Artistic/Administrative/Executive Director or equivalent must be actively involved in the application and planning processes.

Past recipients may re-apply after five years.

Those that participated in the 2020-21 COVID-19 Support Program may re-apply after two seasons (for 2024-2025).

Selection will be weighted heavily towards applications that show why this residency is needed for the youth orchestra and community. ORP is a need-based opportunity, not merit-based.
Selection will be made by a non-binding committee whose members reserve the right to ask for further documentation or clarification at any point in the process.
Up to four finalists will be requested to give a presentation on the need for this residency. Panelists may ask questions during or after the presentation. Comments from the committee members may be provided to the finalists upon request.

There is a maximum $2,500 all-inclusive fee or equivalent* to offset expenses such as travel and lodging for the residency. Local ground transportation must be covered by host.
*This fee is flexible and may be partially waived based on discussion and proof of need. The ability or non-ability to pay the full fee is not considered during the application process. Please contact ORP for further information.

APPLICATION FORM must be filled out in completion, including the following materials:

The questions which will be addressed in the ZOOM presentation are:

Describe several possible activities you could plan if selected for this residency. The activities are encouraged to include students from different ages and levels as well as from multiple or all orchestras if a multi-ensemble organization. Please only include activities on which the applicant orchestra is able to follow through.
What goals do you imagine that this residency with Midori would fulfill for the organization?
How do you plan to make this residency inclusive?

If selected for this opportunity, host organization must plan on:

A 4-5 day residency for the youth orchestra(s) students with Midori and Clara, her performing and teaching assistant for one of the periods designated above
A public concert with the youth orchestra(s)
Ticket prices as normally structured by the youth orchestra
A mandatory inclusion of a presentation highlighting the activities of the residency during the public concert
Mandatory inclusion of Derek Bermel’s Spring Cadenzas (2021, commissioned for ORP) on the concert program with Midori as soloist

Click below to apply and for your youth orchestra to be part of something extraordinary.