May 19-26, 2024
Welcome to Cincinnati Song Initiative’s week-long program that provides song lovers with an inspiring, open, and deeply enriching environment to express themselves and grow in their artistry.
Our cost-free fellowship for five singers and five pianists aims to promote and innovate the song genre by empowering the next generation of twenty-first century artists who will carry the mantle of song in this country and throughout the world.
We want you to join us.
Scroll to meet our world-class faculty, get a glimpse of your daily schedule, and explore the state-of-the-art facilities that will be your musical playground and living spaces.
Fellow: by origin a partner or associate, hence a companion, comrade, or mate.
-Britannica
At The Fellowship of the Song, we all have something to learn from each other. That’s why, as a Fellow, you have the opportunity to come to Cincinnati and work with our faculty - highly distinguished artists and scholars in the song world - for a week of rewarding study where everyone leaves inspired and having learned something new from one another.
Who is The Fellowship of the Song for?
Applying to this program as a Fellow is for you if you are:
An enthusiastic communicator.
Excited by a collaborative process with the goal of uncovering next-level artistry.
Interested in developing your passion for song in a supportive and artistically rigorous environment.
Interested in unlocking new skills that will help you build your 21st-century career.
Auditing this program is for you if you are:
Interested in unlocking new skills that will help you build your 21st-century career.
An eager song lover hungry to absorb new ideas and be inspired in your own artistry.
A young artist interested in being exposed to the high-level work of professional songmaking.
Meet the Faculty
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Margo Garrett
Song Workshop Leader
Fellowship Coach -
William McGraw
Fellowship Coach
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Tom Cipullo
Commissioning and Working with Composers
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Lori Laitman
Commissioning and Working with Composers
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LaToya Lain
Understanding, Contextualizing, and Programming Spirituals
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Shawn Okpebholo
Commissioning and Working with Composers
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Toni Marie Palmertree
Repertoire Development: Exploring the Unexplored
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Ellen Rissinger
Repertoire Development: Exploring the Unexplored
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Casey Robards
Understanding, Contextualizing, and Programming Spirituals
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Laura Strickling
Creative Programming
Program Highlights
As a Fellow, you can look forward to the following experiences:
Two public concerts, with each Fellow performing a different set or song cycle each evening
Six total private coachings with Fellowship Coaches Margo Garrett and William McGraw
Multiple performances in public song workshops led by Margo Garrett throughout the week
Daily classes and discussions on a variety of contemporary and relevant topics
Opportunities for private consultations with CSI staff members and Fellowship faculty for brainstorming, sharing ideas, or seeking advice on topics of your choosing
Where You’ll Make Music
University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM)
World-class songmaking pairs best with world-class facilities. We are proud to partner with CCM, an All-Steinway School, for the use of gorgeous performance halls, comfortable studios for coachings and rehearsals, and state-of-the-art rooms for classes and fellowship during down time.
Sample Schedule
Daily Schedule
9am: Rehearsals/Practice
11am: Song Workshop
1pm: Lunch
2:30pm: Class (Various Topics)
4-7pm: Coachings + Rehearsals/Practice
7:30pm: Guest Artist Concert
Concert Day Schedule
10:30am: Class (Various Topics)
12-5pm: Coachings + Rehearsals/Practice
7:30pm: Fellows’ Concert
Fellow FAQs
Fellow FAQs
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If you will be 24 or older by May 19, 2024, you are eligible to apply and participate as a Fellow.
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It’s very free. In addition to being tuition-free, this program provides Fellows with travel reimbursement up to $500, a daily stipend for food and fun, and single-room luxury apartment accommodations.
It’s a core value of The Fellowship of the Song to provide equal access to the incredible learning experience you’ll have by participating. That means no fees, anywhere.
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All Fellows who live outside of a 30-mile radius of Cincinnati will be housed in fully ADA-accessible accommodations. If you live within that 30-mile radius, don’t worry - we’ll get your gas for the week.
Additionally, all Fellows receive a daily stipend, whether they’re being housed or not.
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You are responsible for your own transportation between downtown, the CCM campus, and anywhere else you may venture. You may bring your own car, utilize ride-sharing services, or make use of the accessible and cost-effective Metro bus network.
Thorough transportation information will be shared with all program participants.
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Arrival on May 19 and departure on May 26 are mandatory for participation. Due to the interconnected nature of the entire week’s programming, releases cannot be offered.
Alternatively, you may extend your trip by arriving earlier and/or departing later than the above dates, at your own expense. Family vacation, anyone?
Auditor FAQs
Auditor FAQs
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Anyone may join the Fellowship of the Song as an auditor - there are no application or audition requirements. Simply register to take advantage of this incredible learning experience!
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No! While we hope to see you in person, the Fellowship of the Song’s events will also be available for livestreaming and unlimited asynchronous viewing for up to one month after the program ends.
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Auditing the Fellowship of the Song costs a flat fee of $95 for individuals. This provides you with access to all daily song workshops, classes, Song Connect study events, and concerts.
The Fellowship of the Song does not provide housing, transportation, or a daily stipend for auditors.
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Whether you’re with us for one day or the whole week, you’re able to access the content of the entire program conveniently online - either via livestream while each session is happening, or asynchronously for a full month after the program ends.
Each auditor will receive access to this online library and can enjoy it whenever - and wherever - works for them!
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If you are an educator and would like to provide access for a group, we offer a flat rate of $295 for unlimited access. Please contact Programs Manager Natasha Naik to learn more about this accessible option for educational programs.
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As an auditor, you may come and go from events as you wish.
