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Applying to Grad School for Music Performance Part I: What to Consider

APPLYING TO GRADUATE SCHOOL FOR MUSIC PERFORMANCE

Why grad school?

  • Consider your options post-undergrad: Is graduate school the best route to assist you in finding a job in your field? Will this investment be worth it in the end? As a performer, it definitely can benefit you when looking for professional work, but it is not always necessarily required.
  • Do not do it just because everyone else in your studio or school is doing it- do it if you feel like this is the right path for you.
  •  Some people prefer taking a gap year after feeling burnt out from undergrad. Others would prefer to continue their education and do not want to take the risk of losing their drive.
  • Student debt really becomes a concern after undergrad so taking a gap year (or a few) or not attending graduate school at all is always an option in order to repay this debt.
  • Graduate school is not for everyone and that is ok!

What schools should I look into? These are the top things to consider:                      

Teacher

  • Find someone who is a big name for your instrument/ voice and will help you make connections with other professional musicians/ organizations. Also, take time to read bios and listen to these teachers as performers- find someone who you admire and who you would like to influence your sound.You want to find a good fit: someone you will get along with that will push you hard and teach you a lot, but not someone that will push you over the edge.
  • Another aspect to consider is who best will prepare you for current real-life auditions. “Older” professors with many years of experience teaching and performing might have some of the top reputations in the business, but may not have taken a professional audition in decades. The art of taking and winning auditions has changed drastically from just 10 years ago so working with people with more recent auditioning experience can be just as beneficial.

Name/reputation of the school

  • Aim BIG and look into schools known for their musical excellence (schools you see in performers’ bios). Some schools have reputations for landing people jobs so find those schools that have high employment rates.
  • View ratings of the school/ professors and see what kind of overall rankings the school has.
  • You will be faced with competition everywhere you go, but some schools might be a bit more fiercely competitive than others might be. Is this something you would like or are you looking for a more supportive, sympathetic institute?

Geography

  • Find schools in areas that will have many performing and teaching opportunities available. Also, try to find schools located near first-rate orchestras so you have the opportunity to attend their concerts and connect with those musicians (places like NYC, Chicago, and Philadelphia are bound to offer great opportunities for freelancing and all have top-notch orchestras).
  • Location can be important. Consider if you want to be somewhere hot or cold; rainy or dry; East, West, or Midwest; rural or urban- these can all be factors to consider.

Other Important things to consider:

Cost and Finances

  • Graduate schools are expensive and the cost to attend is often a deciding factor in where people choose to go. Do not let this hinder you from still looking into great (but expensive) schools. If they really want you to attend, schools will find a way to make this possible and cover much or all of the cost for you. Graduate students are usually prioritized for financial aid and many schools offer graduate assistantships where you teach undergrad students of your voice or instrument.
  • Consider if you will be living on or off campus and how much living expenses will cost.

School Culture and Size

  • Can you imagine yourself attending this school? Are the students and faculty people you get along with and are people who will motivate you to grow more as a musician? You will be there for at least two years so make sure you can work well with your other colleagues.
  • Are you looking for a smaller conservatory or a large state school? There can be considerable differences between the kinds of opportunities available and challenges you face at large versus small schools so think about what kind of environment you will thrive best in.
  • Having gone through four years of undergrad, you have probably built up a strong support system of friends or are in a committed relationship. Are you ok potentially going to school on the other side of the country from your friends and family? There are various ways to cope, but this can be a concern for many students. There are always going to be plenty of people to meet and befriend in graduate school!

Abbey Atwater ‘19

Career Peer Educator

How to become a Music Teacher (Elementary, Middle School)

Interested in becoming a music teacher for elementary or middle school students? Read on for some important information on how to get your dream teaching job! 

Job duties:

Here are some specific job duties required for becoming a music teacher. First you must have knowledge of the instrument/instruments in the ensemble. Knowing your instrument(s) inside and out will make teaching your class that much easier. Next you need the ability to manage a classroom. Classroom management is important because sometimes children can get rowdy and not retain the information you are teaching. Finally, you’ll need experience writing curricula, and in this case concert programs with appropriate repertoire. Music teachers not only have to create classroom plans, but they also have to plan exactly what music their ensembles and students are expected to play. 

Where they work:

Oftentimes, any type of music teacher is hired by a school district to teach band, orchestra, or private lessons. Sometimes if hired by a school district you are expected to travel between several schools within the district per week to teach students. You can also be hired by private schools, however, this process can be lengthy and sometimes requires degrees from very specific universities. Many areas are looking for music teachers, especially during the pandemic. Be sure to choose the right area for you by taking into consideration the cost of living + your salary of that particular area to make sure that is where you want to be.

Working conditions:

As a music teacher, you can expect to be working at least 40 hours a week. This is often the minimum for music teachers since they also have to do after-school music programs, concerts, musical rehearsals, etc. The best thing about being a teacher though is that you have a good portion of the summer off of work! Unless you seek out summer music camps to help out with. 

People:

Often times you are working with children in a classroom setting. Your colleagues will most likely range in age, and sometimes you may have to collaborate with a music teacher of another ensemble or even have a teacher’s assistant. 

Education and Training:

The minimum degree for this profession is often a bachelor’s degree in a music-related field. After earning this degree, you are then expected to complete practicum before applying to work within a school district. State licensure is required for teaching in any state within the U.S. Requirements for these do differ by state so it is important to do your research before applying for different school districts. Here at Lawrence, if you are a Music Education major you will be guided to get your certification over the course of the 5-year degree program (4 years of school, 1 year of student teaching).

How to gain experience while in undergrad:

The best way for aspiring music teachers to gain experience while in undergrad is by applying for and attending internships. There are many summer programs that offer teacher internships such as The People’s Music School, Merit School of Music, Wisconsin Conservatory, and much more! You don’t need your teachers certification to apply for these internships, and they are a great way to gain experience in the field.

Pay and Benefits: 

Your pay depends on the school district your working in and its geographical location. Often times your pay is based on price of living for geographic area. On the lower end of the price of living, but you can get by. Substitutes are going to be under a full teaching salary, making around $12-$15. Public school teachers generally have benefits (dental, vision, health) however, private school teachers often times do not.

Job Outlook:

Right now, music teachers are needed EVERYWHERE. There is a shortage of teachers in general, however, music teachers are especially needed. Sadly, music is one of the first classes to get cut out of curricula in elementary and grade schools. Job market is thankfully expected to grow by 12% in the next few years, and many school districts will hire you right out of your student teaching experience. 

Global Considerations:

Teaching jobs that are abroad (outside of the U.S) often offer 2 year contracts. Teachers coming into the U.S are asked to apply for a VISA upon hire; which means you can go through the application process without needing a VISA, however, if you are hired by the school you are required to apply for one. As far as I know, all types of US teaching certificates can be obtained by international students and they can secure a teaching job in the U.S upon graduation. There could be extra steps depending on where certification is obtained (NYC you need fingerprint scans), so it is important to do you research on the district you are applying for. 

Information for becoming an Opera Singer

Interested in become an opera singer? Read on for all you need to know about the field and how to get one step closer to your dream of becoming an opera star. 

Job duties:

There are many job duties required for being a musician in general. However, here are some specific job duties for becoming an opera singer that stems away from just musical talent. First, you will need advanced sight reading abilities. Being able to sight read music efficiently is a crucial part in the music industry, and especially in advanced opera roles and chorus’s. Next you need knowledge of Italian, German, French and English diction. Thankfully, much of this training comes from your undergraduate and graduate school experiences, however you need to be sure you know how to read and pronounce these languages efficiently. Next you’ll need good time management skills especially in terms of practicing. Knowing your limits in the practice room and how to use your time wisely will help you immensely in the opera world. Finally, you will need advanced memorization abilities. Many operas can be up to four hours long so it is crucial to know effective ways of memorization in order to learn a role in a timely fashion. 

Where they work:

Opera singers work for opera companies and opera houses. Sometimes summer opportunities may arise where you work for smaller, non-profit opera shows and festivals. However, most of your time will be spent in an opera house. 

Working Conditions:

Rehearsals for opera performances are mostly going to be during the evenings. However, the rest of your day is often filled with practicing for your roles, finding auditions, and maybe working a second job. Some opera singers end up travelling a lot during their career, however, a lot also end up staying in one geographic area as well. It all depends on what you see yourself doing. Opera singers are also usually hired on a contract for a particular season. Oftentimes they have to re-audition for certain houses in order to renew their contract. 

People:

In an opera company you often have a set number of people for a certain season you will be working with. Depending on the size of the opera company and also the demands of the repertoire for the season, you can be looking to work with anywhere from 40-150 people on the stage. Directors, coaches, and arts administration workers often stay the same for longer periods of time. However, many opera artists may come and go depending on their careers. 

Education and Training:

Opera singers are often at least required to have a Masters degree in a voice related field. You are then often expected to audition and participate in a “Young Artist Program” featured by an opera house. These programs are often pre-professional opportunities for upcoming opera singers to learn how to work in an opera house before fully committing to a contract. Young Artist Program’s often give a stipend to the artists in their program.

Pay and Benefits:

Depending on the opera house, opera singers can expected to be paid by the show and rehearsal, or by a monthly/yearly stipend. Opera singers range from making $60,000 to $200,000. Like most musicians, benefits are often times not included upon hire, especially within the U.S. However, Europe not only has an abundance of opera houses, but often times these singers are given benefits as well as paid a little more fairly (again, depending on the opera house). 

Job outlook:

Employment for singers in general are expected to grow by 7% in the next few years. This includes opera singers, so expect an increase in jobs, especially after the pandemic once musical performances are expected to be in high demand. 

Global Considerations:

Since there are many opera houses throughout the world, and oftentimes singers come from all over to audition for certain opera houses, the profession of being an opera singer is certainly open to international students studying music. Of course, since there are so many opera houses around the world and so many have different requirements, it is important to do your research in finding the house or company that will be the best fit for you. 

Important Documents for Musicians: How to Write a Musician’s Resume, Repertoire list, and Bio

As classical musicians, we most often focus on aspects of our individual playing and view auditions alone as being the sole factor in landing a job. Auditions are undeniably a very significant part to obtain professional positions, but some other factors also play an important part in getting to this point. Similar to how most jobs require candidates to submit a cover letter and resume, the same often applies for musicians in order to be invited for an audition. Cover letters are not as frequent with musicians, but could potentially be asked for. Sample cover letters can be found here in our Career Resources. For now, I would like to discuss some of the content and steps involved in writing a musician’s resume, repertoire list, and bio.

MUSICIAN’S RESUME

  • You should start with a header as you would with any other resume: include your name, email address, phone number, address, and LinkedIn url if you have an account. One additional thing to include next to your name is your instrument/voice type. For me, it looks like this: Abbey Atwater, Clarinet
  • In other resumes, next would usually be your education section. Do include this in you resume, but farther down. If you are submitting your resume in hopes of being invited to take an orchestral audition, your performance experience should take precedence and be highlighted further up and your education should be moved down.
  • Your performing experience can be expressed in a variety of ways and ordered differently depending on the significance. Here is how I personally would go about organizing it:
    • Orchestral (or Large Ensemble) Experiences
      • Example:

Section leader, Lawrence University Orchestra, Appleton, WI,                September 2016 – present

  • Chamber Music
  • Solo Performances/Awards Won/Accomplishments
    • Example:

Winner, Lawrence University Wind Ensemble Concerto Competition, Appleton WI             January 2019

  • In these, include any specific leadership positions you may have had (principal, concertmaster, winner- if for a competition) or any auxiliary instruments played (Eb clarinet, English horn). This will be formatted just as other work experience would look like on a resume: position title, company (or ensemble in this case), location, and dates from start to finish.
  • Refrain from listing specific works played (unless relevant like roles for vocalists)- save this for your repertoire list
  • In these experience sections, either chronological or combination-style orders would be appropriate. Either list everything in reverse chronological order or in terms of importance. For example, if you have competed in various competitions and have won a few, placed second in another, and been a finalist in some, prioritize them in that order with the win being the first listed
  • For ensemble experience, try to include ones that were ongoing and not a “one-and-done” sort of deal like with competitions.
  • Next, you can place your education section which includes: school and its location, graduation year, GPA, degree(s), and major(s)/minor(s).
  • Following this is a list of your primary private instructors. All that needs to be included is their name and dates studied. Master classes (that you played in) will come after this with the same information (name and date)
  • You can also include a section for relevant professional organizations (ex: National Association for Music Education, Music Teachers National Association, Sigma Alpha Iota)
  • Try to keep under one page

REPERTOIRE LIST

  • The purpose of a repertoire list is to provide others with all the repertoire you have worked on that you could potentially perform if asked on short notice.
  • Begin with the same heading/contact info as your resume/cover letter
  • As the title suggests, this essentially is a list of all repertoire performed (for vocalists and instrumentalists) and repertoire conducted (for conductors)
    • Works studied can also be included if studied sufficiently and you feel you could perform competently- not just something sight read once
  • Always include these specific kinds of works:
    • Vocalists:
      • Opera roles
      • Musical roles
      • Lieder
      • Other works
    • Instrumentalists:
      • Sonatas/ solo works with piano
      • Unaccompanied works
      • Concertos
      • Chamber works
    • Conductors:
      • Operas
      • Orchestra works
      • Wind band works
      • Chamber works
  • Depending on what is asked in the requirements for the repertoire list, the following can also be included:
    • Method books studied
    • Excerpts studied
    • Music performed in large ensembles (ex: symphonies and other significant works)
    • Repertoire played on auxiliary instruments
  • Can also indicate:
    • If music consisted of a public performance (recital, concert) or if performed by memory
      • Can use different symbols to indicate each of these: + # *
    • Date of performance
    • If you played in a master class/ who specifically you studied the repertoire with
    • What ensemble you performed with
  • Music should be listed in a way that looks professional and appropriate. These are all formats that work and keep them consistent throughout the list)
    • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Clarinet Concerto in A major K. 622
    • Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A major K. 622
    • Clarinet Concerto in A major K. 622, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

MUSICIAN’S BIO

  • In third person
  • Begin by stating your name, where you are from, and what age you started studying music
  • In the the middle of your bio, mention significant accomplishments including:
    • Solo performances
    • Ensembles performed in
    • Music festivals attended
    • Master classes you have played in
    • Music internships or teaching experiences
    • Leadership positions pertaining to music
    • Performing jobs held in the past
  • You can also mention some background in why you began playing your instrument/singing or any turning points in your musical career
  • At the end mention where you are currently studying, who you are studying with, what year you are, and your plans for next year are if you are graduating
  • If you are out of school, you can also mention where you are currently located and what you are doing (both professionally and/or a fun fact like: “In addition to playing the alto clarinet, Gustav has a passion for cooking and loves taking long walks with his dog, Buddy”)

Below, you can find some additional useful resources and example to help you craft your own!

Abbey Atwater ’19
Career Peer Educator

Cover Letter

https://music.depaul.edu/resources/career-services/Documents/Cover%20Letter%202016.pdf

https://cdn.uconnectlabs.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/132/2021/11/careerguide.coverletter.pdf

Resume

https://necmusic.edu/sites/default/files/2017-02/Tips%20for%20Writing%20Perf%20Resumes.pdf

https://www.pugetsound.edu/sites/default/files/file/4663_Music%20resume%20packet%202012_0.pdf

https://www.resumeprofessionalwriters.com/musician-resume/

Repertoire List

https://musicdancetheatre.asu.edu/sites/default/files/instrumental_rep_list_sample.pdf

resume-and-rep-list.docx – Eastman School of Music

https://carolynenger.com/presskit/Carolyn%20Enger%20FULL%20REPERTOIRE%20LIST.pdf

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5319d2f8e4b025dd26235446/t/5544547ae4b0ebc5baee2e03/1430541434024/Repertoire+List+%28PDF%29.pdf

Bio

https://www.musiciansway.com/blog/2012/08/bios-that-inspire/

https://www.claudiafriedlander.com/the-liberated-voice/printmaterials.html

A four-part series from Angela Myles Beeching on NewMusicBox – post 1, post 2, post 3, post 4

https://helenegrimaud.com/bio

https://www.cameroncarpenter.com/new-page

https://carolineshaw.com

13 Things to do During Your 13 Weeks of Summer as a Music Major

Summer is right around the corner! For some musicians, it could be a great time to take a bit of a break and recollect after being burnt out from a busy school year. For others, including myself, summer is a chance to take advantage of this extra time and explore various opportunities that are available. Here are some of the things I would recommend:

1. Teach lessons

Summer is a great time to gain experience teaching private lessons. Get in touch with music directors, staff at music stores, friends, and family in the area to let them know you plan to teach and ask them to share your name and contact information to prospective students. This is a great time for you to get business cards made and network with others to get your name out there.

2. Take lessons

Get in touch with your high school private instructor or local orchestral musicians and see if they are available to teach you any lessons. I got in contact with various clarinet professors at schools I decided to apply to and did some travelling to take lessons with them. I would highly recommend doing this if you anticipate furthering your education with graduate school.

3. Work at your local music store

Many jobs at music stores can be full-time positions, but it is definitely worth a shot seeking out seasonal or part-time positions! You can learn a lot about different products available, gain valuable customer service skills, and stay updated on current music trends and events. This is a good chance to network too!

4. Work at a music camp for kids

This is especially beneficial for music education majors. Gain experience teaching music and working with kids of various ages and skill levels from elementary school through high school, depending on the program. You could have a significant influence on their musical futures!

5. Secure an internship

There are various internships available for musicians. Many of these may involve working with kids, as mentioned above, but there are many other exciting internships available that may focus more on arts administration if that is something that might interest you. Various symphonies and opera companies have development, marketing, and other internships available. This is another great way to network with others and possibly spend the summer living somewhere new!

6. Attend concerts

During the summer, there are numerous orchestras, wind bands, jazz bands, and chamber ensembles that will be putting on performances. Many of these are exciting pops concerts that take place outdoors and are often free!

7. Play chamber music with local friends

Do you have other musical friends or know of other talented musicians in your area? Hit them up and see if they would be interested in playing any chamber music together! This can keep you engaged with music and keep your rehearsal skills going.

8. Take church gigs

There are many musical opportunities available at churches for their weekly services. I occasionally get asked to perform clarinet for services, but if you have piano or organ experience, these skills are especially valuable. Of course, there’s always church choirs you can get involved with.

9. Do some research and listening

For the sake of my own enjoyment this summer, I started compiling and organizing lists of clarinet repertoire of essentially all possible solo and chamber music I can discover and I have since been going through and listening to all of it and giving them ratings. This is something that really interests me and it kept me quite entertained this summer while teaching me a lot of information that is very valuable for me to know. Projects like this or just listening music is a great way to spend time.

10. Attend a summer music festival

There are so many musical festivals available for all musicians whether they are for orchestras, operas, or chamber music. These are rather competitive to get into and can be very costly. But the experience and the skills learned at festivals can be invaluable and ones you might not learn during the school year. I can say from my own experience, it really sparked a high degree of motivation for me to keep improving and I met so many other great musicians that made me determined to improve.

11. Pursue other performance opportunities

Find performing opportunities for yourself. Find a venue to put on a recital or get a hold of food pantries, warming shelters, or nursing homes to see if you can come in to perform. Chances are they would all be thrilled to have a talented young musician performing!

12. Try something new!

Ever wanted to try a new instrument? Or maybe you want to try your hand at composing? This is the time to do it! Feel free to explore possibilities, take chances, and do something out of you comfort zone. A spark of interest for something could end up developing into a wonderful new passion (and can just be downright fun- I learned bassoon my senior year of high school and loved it!).

13. Practice hard and well

Although you might be gone for a couples weeks on a family vacation or might be busy with work or whatever else you have going on during the summer, don’t neglect practicing. Make sure to find time during your days to really get some high-quality practicing accomplished. Motivation can definitely be a struggle during the summer, but view this is a great time to really be productive and get a lot accomplished!

Abbey Atwater ‘19

Career Peer Educator

Summer Music Festivals

AGBU Musical Armenia Program
Approximate Application Deadline: mid-May
Approximate Festival Dates: mid to late-July (3 weeks)
Application Fee: $50
Approximate Overall Cost: $1,500

AIMS (American Institute of Music Studies)
Approximate Application Deadline: mid-March
Approximate Festival Dates: early-July to mid-August (six weeks)
Application Fee: $250 + $45 (vocal and piano), $45 (orchestra)
Approximate Overall Cost: $6,695 (vocal and piano), free w/ contract (orchestra)

AlpenKammerMusik Festival
Approximate Application Deadline: mid-February
Approximate Festival Dates: mid to late-July (2 weeks)
Application Fee: $50
Approximate Overall Cost: $2,600

American Bach Soloists Academy
Approximate Application Deadline: late-February
Approximate Festival Dates: late-July to mid-August (2 weeks)
Application Fee: $35
Approximate Overall Cost: NA

Annie Moses Summer Music Festival
Approximate Application Deadline: mid-May
Approximate Festival Dates: mid-July (1 week)
Application Fee: NA
Approximate Overall Cost: $1,350

Apple Hill Summer Chamber Music Workshop
Approximate Application Deadline: early-May
Approximate Festival Dates: mid-June to mid-August (five 10-day sessions)
Application Fee: $75
Approximate Overall Cost: $1,800 (one session), $3,400 (two sessions)

Aria International Summer Academy
Approximate Application Deadline: early-April
Approximate Festival Dates: late-June to early-August(three 2 week sessions)
Application Fee: $75
Approximate Overall Cost: $1,975 (per session)

Aspen
Approximate Application Deadline: mid-October (voice), mid-November (composition and conducting), early-January (instrumental)
Approximate Festival Dates: mid-June to mid-August (7 weeks)
Application Fee: $25 (before Oct. 1st), $60 (Oct. 2nd-Dec. 1st), $125 (Dec. 2nd-Jan. 2nd)
Approximate Overall Cost: $9,375 (full), $6,265 (half)

Atlantic Music Festival
Approximate Application Deadline: mid-February
Approximate Festival Dates: late-June to late-July (4 weeks)
Application Fee: $95 (by mid-January), $120 (by deadline)
Approximate Overall Cost: $4,650 (full), $2,740 (half), Free (fellowship)

Banff
Approximate Application Deadline: Varies
Approximate Festival Dates: Varies
Application Fee: Varies
Approximate Overall Cost: Varies

Bang on a Can Summer Festival
Approximate Application Deadline: early-January
Approximate Festival Dates: mid-July to early-August (3 weeks)
Application Fee: $40
Approximate Overall Cost: $2,900

Bay View Music Festival
Approximate Application Deadline: early March (winds and strings), early April (brass)
Approximate Festival Dates: mid-June to mid-August (two 4-week sessions)
Application Fee: $28 (by Feb. 1st), $35 (Feb. 2nd-March 1st)
Approximate Overall Cost: $1,950 (8-week), $1,550 (4-week)

Berklee Summer Programs
Approximate Application Deadline: Varies
Approximate Festival Dates: Varies
Application Fee: Varies
Approximate Overall Cost: Varies

Blackburn (Festival Napa Valley)
Approximate Application Deadline: NA
Approximate Festival Dates: early to late-July (2 weeks)
Application Fee: NA
Approximate Overall Cost: Free

Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp
Approximate Application Deadline: NA
Approximate Festival Dates: late-August (1 week)
Application Fee: NA
Approximate Overall Cost: $320

Bowdoin
Approximate Application Deadline: mid-January and later
Approximate Festival Dates: late-June to early-August (two 3 week sessions)
Application Fee: $79 (by January 21st), $149 (after January 21st)
Approximate Overall Cost: $3,800 (3 weeks), $6,850 (6 weeks)

Brevard
Approximate Application Deadline:  early-January (opera), early-February (instrumental)
Approximate Festival Dates: early-June to early-August (8 weeks)
Application Fee: $75
Approximate Overall Cost: $7,200

Butler University Adult Big Band Workshop
Approximate Application Deadline: early-March
Approximate Festival Dates: early-June (1 week)
Application Fee: $50
Approximate Overall Cost: $250

Cabrillo Festival
Approximate Application Deadline: early-March
Approximate Festival Dates: late-July (1 week)
Application Fee: $6
Approximate Overall Cost: Free

CCM Summer Programs
Approximate Application Deadline: Varies
Approximate Festival Dates: Varies
Application Fee: Varies
Approximate Overall Cost: Varies

CCPA Programs (Chicago Center of Performing Arts)
Approximate Application Deadline: Varies
Approximate Festival Dates: Varies (early-June to late-July)
Application Fee: NA
Approximate Overall Cost: Varies ($275-$450)

Cellospeak
Approximate Application Deadline: mid-May
Approximate Festival Dates: late-July to early-August (two 1-week sessions)
Application Fee: NA
Approximate Overall Cost: $1,325 (one session), $2,550 (both sessions)

Chautauqua Institution
Approximate Application Deadline: early-October (voice), early-February (instrumental), early-March (piano)
Approximate Festival Dates: late-June to mid-August (7 weeks)
Application Fee: $55
Approximate Overall Cost: $4,375

Classical Music Festival Eisenstaedt
Approximate Application Deadline: early-February
Approximate Festival Dates: early to mid-August (2 weeks)
Application Fee: $50 (by Feb 1st), $100 (after Feb 1st)
Approximate Overall Cost: $795 (orchestra), $1,450 (chorus)

College Light Opera Company (CLOC)
Approximate Application Deadline: mid to late-February
Approximate Festival Dates: early-June to late-August (2 months)
Application Fee: NA
Approximate Overall Cost: NA

Colorado Summer Music Festival
Approximate Application Deadline: mid-February
Approximate Festival Dates: early-June to late-June (3 weeks)
Application Fee: $75
Approximate Overall Cost: $200

Conductor’s Institute of South Carolina
Approximate Application Deadline: NA
Approximate Festival Dates: early-June to mid-June(2 weeks)
Application Fee: $35
Approximate Overall Cost: $2,400

Credo
Approximate Application Deadline: mid-February
Approximate Festival Dates: early to mid-July(3 weeks)
Application Fee: $75
Approximate Overall Cost: $3,910

Curtis Summerfest
Approximate Application Deadline: mid-January
Approximate Festival Dates: mid-July to early-August (3 weeks)
Application Fee: $65
Approximate Overall Cost: $5,150

Decoda
Approximate Application Deadline: early-March
Approximate Festival Dates: mid to-late July (2 weeks)
Application Fee: $60
Approximate Overall Cost: $2,804

Domaine Forget
Approximate Application Deadline: Varies
Approximate Festival Dates: Varies
Application Fee: Varies
Approximate Overall Cost: Varies

Druid City Opera Workshop
Approximate Application Deadline: mid-March
Approximate Festival Dates: late May (1 week)
Application Fee: NA
Approximate Overall Cost: $1,300

Eastern Music Festival (EMF)
Approximate Application Deadline: mid-February
Approximate Festival Dates: late-June to late-July (5 weeks)
Application Fee: $35 (before January 1st), $70 (after January 1st)
Approximate Overall Cost: $5,500

Euro Arts
Approximate Application Deadline: NA
Approximate Festival Dates: mid-July to mid-August (5 weeks)
Application Fee: NA
Approximate Overall Cost: Varies

European American Music Alliance
Approximate Application Deadline: early-April
Approximate Festival Dates: early to late-July(5 weeks)
Application Fee: $90
Approximate Overall Cost: $4,435

Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival
Approximate Application Deadline: Varies
Approximate Festival Dates: Varies
Application Fee: Varies
Approximate Overall Cost: Varies

FOOSA
Approximate Application Deadline: early March
Approximate Festival Dates: early to mid-July (2 weeks)
Application Fee: $50
Approximate Overall Cost: $1,850

Franz Schubert Institute
Approximate Application Deadline: mid-April
Approximate Festival Dates: late-July to early-August(1 week)
Application Fee: $100
Approximate Overall Cost: $2,915

Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival Shouse Institute
Approximate Application Deadline: early-December
Approximate Festival Dates: early-June to mid-June (2 weeks)
Application Fee: NA
Approximate Overall Cost: NA

The Heifetz Institute
Approximate Application Deadline: early-February
Approximate Festival Dates: late-June to mid-August (6 weeks)
Application Fee: $135
Approximate Overall Cost: $6,205

Hot Springs Music Festival
Approximate Application Deadline: late-March
Approximate Festival Dates: early to mid-June (2 weeks)
Application Fee: $100
Approximate Overall Cost: $750

Icicle Creek Chamber Music Institute
Approximate Application Deadline: early-March
Approximate Festival Dates: late-June to mid-July(3 weeks)
Application Fee: $60
Approximate Overall Cost: $2,700

IES Vienna Summer Music Program
Approximate Application Deadline: early-April
Approximate Festival Dates: late-May to early-July (6 weeks)
Application Fee: NA
Approximate Overall Cost: $7,650

Interharmony
Approximate Application Deadline: early-February
Approximate Festival Dates: early to mid-July or mid to late-July (Italy), late-July to mid-August (Germany) (2 weeks)
Application Fee: $60
Approximate Overall Cost: $3,150

Intermuse
Approximate Application Deadline: early-March
Approximate Festival Dates: early to mid-July(2 weeks)
Application Fee: $70
Approximate Overall Cost: $1,999

International Academy of Music
Approximate Application Deadline: early-March
Approximate Festival Dates: late-June to early-July (2 weeks)
Application Fee: $100
Approximate Overall Cost: $2,500

Kendall Betts Horn Camp
Approximate Application Deadline: early-March
Approximate Festival Dates: late-May to mid-June (1 to 3 week sessions)
Application Fee: NA
Approximate Overall Cost: $1,995 (1 week), $3,990 (2 weeks),$5,985 (3 weeks)

Kent Blossom Music Festival
Approximate Application Deadline: early-March
Approximate Festival Dates: late-June to early-August (5 weeks)
Application Fee: $50
Approximate Overall Cost: $2,600

Killington Music Festival
Approximate Application Deadline: early-March
Approximate Festival Dates: late-June to late-July(4-weeks)
Application Fee: $95
Approximate Overall Cost: $3,995

Kinhaven Young Artist Seminar
Approximate Application Deadline: NA
Approximate Festival Dates: early-June (1 week)
Application Fee: NA
Approximate Overall Cost: NA

Kneisel Hall
Approximate Application Deadline: NA
Approximate Festival Dates: late-June to mid-August (7 weeks)
Application Fee: NA
Approximate Overall Cost: NA

Kutztown Summer Chamber Music Festival
Approximate Application Deadline: mid-April
Approximate Festival Dates: early to mid-July (1 week)
Application Fee: $50
Approximate Overall Cost: $850

Lake City Violin Intensive
Approximate Application Deadline: early-April
Approximate Festival Dates: late-July to early-August (1 week)
Application Fee: $60
Approximate Overall Cost: $250

Lake Placid Institute
Approximate Application Deadline: NA
Approximate Festival Dates: mid-August (1 week)
Application Fee: $100
Approximate Overall Cost: $800

Madeleine Island
Approximate Application Deadline: mid-April
Approximate Festival Dates: early to mid-June (1 week)
Application Fee: $75
Approximate Overall Cost: $975

Marrowstone
Approximate Application Deadline: late-March
Approximate Festival Dates: late-July to early-August (2 weeks)
Application Fee: $65
Approximate Overall Cost: $2,900

MasterWorks Festival
Approximate Application Deadline: mid-March
Approximate Festival Dates: mid-June to mid-July (4 weeks)
Application Fee: $30
Approximate Overall Cost: $3,900

Meadowmount School of Music
Approximate Application Deadline: late-January
Approximate Festival Dates: late-June to mid-August (7 weeks)
Application Fee: $110
Approximate Overall Cost: $7,500

Miami Music Festival
Approximate Application Deadline: early-March
Approximate Festival Dates: late-June to mid-July (3 weeks)
Application Fee: $35
Approximate Overall Cost: $1,750

Monteux School and Music Festival
Approximate Application Deadline: early-December
Approximate Festival Dates: mid-June to late-July (6 weeks)
Application Fee: $75
Approximate Overall Cost: $1,500

Music Academy of the West
Approximate Application Deadline: mid-February
Approximate Festival Dates: mid-June to early-August (8 weeks)
Application Fee: NA
Approximate Overall Cost: Free

Music House International
Approximate Application Deadline: mid-April
Approximate Festival Dates: mid to late-June (2 weeks)
Application Fee: $25
Approximate Overall Cost: $3,500

Narnia Festival
Approximate Application Deadline: early-June
Approximate Festival Dates: mid-July to early-August (3 weeks)
Application Fee: $160
Approximate Overall Cost: Varies

National Music Festival
Approximate Application Deadline: NA
Approximate Festival Dates: early to mid-June (2 weeks)
Application Fee: $35 (before mid-February), $60 (after mid-February)
Approximate Overall Cost: $2,000

National Orchestral Institute
Approximate Application Deadline: mid-February
Approximate Festival Dates: late-May to late-June (5 weeks)
Application Fee: $75
Approximate Overall Cost: $2,050

National Repertory Orchestra
Approximate Application Deadline: mid-February
Approximate Festival Dates: early-June to late-July (8 weeks)
Application Fee: $75
Approximate Overall Cost: NA

New England Conservatory Summer Programs
Approximate Application Deadline: Varies
Approximate Festival Dates: Varies
Application Fee: Varies
Approximate Overall Cost: Varies

Norfolk Chamber Music Festival
Approximate Application Deadline: NA
Approximate Festival Dates: late-June to early-August (chamber music) (6 weeks), mid to late-June (new music) (2 weeks), mid-August (choir and choral conducting) (1 week)
Application Fee: NA
Approximate Overall Cost: NA

Oberlin in Italy
Approximate Application Deadline: NA
Approximate Festival Dates: NA
Application Fee: NA
Approximate Overall Cost: NA

Oberlin Summer Programs
Approximate Application Deadline: Varies
Approximate Festival Dates: Varies
Application Fee: Varies
Approximate Overall Cost: Varies

Ohio Light Opera
Approximate Application Deadline: early-March
Approximate Festival Dates: late-May to mid-August (10 weeks)
Application Fee: $40
Approximate Overall Cost: NA

Orford Music
Approximate Application Deadline: early-April
Approximate Festival Dates: NA
Application Fee: NA
Approximate Overall Cost: NA

Orvieto Musica
Approximate Application Deadline: NA
Approximate Festival Dates: NA
Application Fee: $45
Approximate Overall Cost: NA

Pacific Music Festival
Approximate Application Deadline: mid-January
Approximate Festival Dates: late-June to early-August (5 weeks)
Application Fee: $30
Approximate Overall Cost: Free

Pacific Region International Music Academy (PRISMA)
Approximate Application Deadline: late-February
Approximate Festival Dates: mid to late-June (2 weeks)
Application Fee: $50
Approximate Overall Cost: $880

Performing Arts Abroad
Approximate Application Deadline: Varies
Approximate Festival Dates: Varies
Application Fee: Varies
Approximate Overall Cost: Varies

Perlman Music Program
Approximate Application Deadline: early-February
Approximate Festival Dates: late-May to mid-June (3 weeks)
Application Fee: $95
Approximate Overall Cost: $500

Philadelphia International Music Festival
Approximate Application Deadline: Varies
Approximate Festival Dates: Varies
Application Fee: Varies
Approximate Overall Cost: Varies

Rafael Mendez Brass Institute
Approximate Application Deadline: early-April
Approximate Festival Dates: early to mid-July (1 week)
Application Fee: $35
Approximate Overall Cost: $885

Rocky Ridge Music Center
Approximate Application Deadline: NA
Approximate Festival Dates: mid-June to mid-July (4 weeks)
Application Fee: $85
Approximate Overall Cost: $3,925

The Rome Festival Orchestra
Approximate Application Deadline: late-January
Approximate Festival Dates: NA
Application Fee: $39
Approximate Overall Cost: $4,994

Round Top
Approximate Application Deadline: late-February
Approximate Festival Dates: early-June to mid-July (6 weeks)
Application Fee: $80
Approximate Overall Cost: $1,000

Sarasota Music Festival
Approximate Application Deadline: mid-February
Approximate Festival Dates: early to late-June (3 weeks)
Application Fee: $95
Approximate Overall Cost: $865

Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival
Approximate Application Deadline: NA
Approximate Festival Dates: NA
Application Fee: NA
Approximate Overall Cost: NA

Sewanee
Approximate Application Deadline: early-March
Approximate Festival Dates: mid-June to mid-July (4 weeks)
Application Fee: $60
Approximate Overall Cost: $5,425

Snow Pond Music Festival (SPMF)
Approximate Application Deadline: late-March
Approximate Festival Dates: early to late-June (2 weeks)
Application Fee: $100
Approximate Overall Cost: $1,995

Summer at Eastman
Approximate Application Deadline: Varies
Approximate Festival Dates: Varies
Application Fee: Varies
Approximate Overall Cost: Varies

Summit Music Festival
Approximate Application Deadline: early-May
Approximate Festival Dates: late-July to early-August (3 weeks)
Application Fee: $125
Approximate Overall Cost: $3,800

Tanglewood
Approximate Application Deadline: NA
Approximate Festival Dates: late-June to late-August (9 weeks)
Application Fee: $75
Approximate Overall Cost: $250

Taos School of Music
Approximate Application Deadline: NA
Approximate Festival Dates: early-June to early-August (8 weeks)
Application Fee: $70
Approximate Overall Cost: $600

Texas Music Festival
Approximate Application Deadline: NA
Approximate Festival Dates: late-May to late-June (4 weeks)
Application Fee: $80
Approximate Overall Cost: $500

Torggler Vocal Institute
Approximate Application Deadline: early-April
Approximate Festival Dates: mid to late-June (2 weeks)
Application Fee: $30
Approximate Overall Cost: $2,250

UNCSA Alexander Technique Workshop
Approximate Application Deadline: mid-June
Approximate Festival Dates: mid-July (1 week)
Application Fee: None
Approximate Overall Cost: $1,710

The University of British Columbia Summer Voice Workshop
Approximate Application Deadline: mid-May
Approximate Festival Dates: early to mid-July (2 weeks)
Application Fee: NA
Approximate Overall Cost: $2,600

Verbier
Approximate Application Deadline: late-January
Approximate Festival Dates: early-July to early-August (5 weeks)
Application Fee: NA
Approximate Overall Cost: Free

VSO Institute (Vancouver Symphony)
Approximate Application Deadline: early-March
Approximate Festival Dates: late-June to early-July (1 week)
Application Fee: $38
Approximate Overall Cost: $982

Yellow Barn
Approximate Application Deadline: mid-January
Approximate Festival Dates: late-June to early-August (5 weeks)
Application Fee: $80
Approximate Overall Cost: Free

Youth Orchestra of the Americas
Approximate Application Deadline: NA
Approximate Festival Dates: late-June to early-August (5 weeks)
Application Fee: NA
Approximate Overall Cost: NA

Zodiac Music Academy and Festival
Approximate Application Deadline: late-April
Approximate Festival Dates: early to mid-July (2 weeks)
Application Fee: $50
Approximate Overall Cost: $2,500