Longy School of Music of Bard College has announced the formation of a new training orchestra that provides a Master of Music degree, recently approved by the State of New York and designed to prepare students for the mounting challenges facing today’s orchestra players. The training orchestra, recruited from the finest postgraduate musicians, will offer advanced orchestral and leadership training and grant a Master of Music degree in Curatorial, Critical, and Performance Studies. All applicants accepted into the three-year degree program will receive a fellowship, which includes the full expense of tuition, as well as an annual stipend. Applications are now being accepted. The orchestra will begin performing during the 2015-16 academic year.