NSO Summer Music Institute 2024
Opens Nov 1 2023 12:00 AM (EDT)
Deadline May 8 2024 11:59 PM (EDT)
Description

2024 Program Dates: July 1-29, 2024Application Deadline: Extended to January 28, 2024, 11:59 PM ET

Join the National Symphony Orchestra for the 2024 Summer Music Institute

The following information will introduce you to the Kennedy Center/National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) Summer Music Institute (SMI).  An initiative of the NSO National Trustees, SMI is a pre-professional summer training program for dedicated high school and college student instrumentalists interested in pursuing a career as 21st century professional musicians. This program provides performance opportunities, high-caliber technical training, practical tools, and rich experiences aimed at empowering students to engage the world as Citizen Artists. 

Every summer, students from all over the United States and abroad, come together to participate in the National Symphony Orchestra's Summer Music Institute. The tuition-free program is designed to expose and prepare students for a 21st century career in music through individualized training and rich experiences to empower students as leaders and thinkers in their chosen fields, while reducing barriers to access.

The 2024 program will include:

Private lessons taught by a member of the National Symphony Orchestra Chamber music coaching by NSO musicians  Master classes and seminars Side-by-side orchestra rehearsal(s) with the NSO  Attendance at selected rehearsals and performances of the NSO Participation in the NSO Summer Music Institute Orchestra Performance opportunities in DC metropolitan area Exposure to internationally-renowned conductors, soloists, and musicians

Citizen Artistry: With a focus on supporting the needs of 21st century students and cultivating the skills of 21st century artists, The Kennedy Center pre-professional artist training programs are committed to nurturing the emerging visionaries who are the future change-makers and culture-shapers. As an integral part of Kennedy Center Education’s mission to foster understanding and uplift communities, each program provides a space where young artists will explore the intersection of artistic practice and civic responsibility, engaging the world as Citizen Artists.

Admissions Information

Eligibility: The Program is open, by recorded video audition, to students ages 15-20 who are seriously considering music as a career and willing to devote themselves to a holistic musical education. Students must be at least 15 years old by July 1, 2024, and no older than 20 years old by July 29, 2024. 

Instruments: National Trustees’ fellowships may be awarded to students who play any of the following: violin, viola, cello, string bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, trombone, bass trombone, tuba, and harp.

Percussionists who live locally may apply to perform with the NSO Summer Music Institute Orchestra and receive the following components of the program. Housing is not provided. While there are no specific excerpt requirements for percussion, we ask that you submit up to two video samples of orchestral repertoire. 

Participation in rehearsals and full-orchestra performances of SMI orchestraSectional rehearsals coached by NSO musicians Side-by-side rehearsal(s) with the NSOObservation of NSO-led master classesParticipation in select enrichment courses and seminars

Pianists who live locally are eligible to apply as part of the chamber program and receive the following components of the program. Housing is not provided. 

Chamber rehearsals and performances coached by NSO musiciansObservation of NSO-led master classesParticipation in select enrichment courses and seminars

Application Requirements

Standards of AcceptanceThe program is intended for serious music students with the primary acceptance standard being musical proficiency. Two essay questions and a recommendation letter will be reviewed carefully to assess student commitment and character. To allow for relative orchestral proportions, more instrument types may be accepted than others.

To ApplyUpdated application information for SMI 2024 can be found on www.kennedy-center.org/SMI. A $30 non-refundable application fee is due upon application submission. Please contact Ross Kaufman, Manager of Career Development Programs, at NSOSMI@kennedy-center.org for further information if you need to request a fee waiver due to financial circumstances or are unable to complete the online application process for any reason. 

Deadline for ApplicationsMaterials must be submitted online by Sunday, January 21, 2024. Students will be notified of the results by the end of March 2023. 

Repertoire (online submissions)Recordings are required to be video files; no audio files will be accepted.

Orchestral excerpts by instrument: www.kennedy-center.org/smiA prepared solo piece not to exceed 20 minutes in length, showing contrasting musical elements (fast/slow, dynamics, etc.) Prepared solo piece may, but need not, include piano accompaniment.  

Concerto Competition (OPTIONAL)The SMI Concerto Competition is open to all full-time participants. Repertoire for the competition must be for full orchestra and must be a piece readily available for purchase or rental.  Details for the concerto competition will be shared upon acceptance to the program.

Additional Information

Program DatesThe program dates are Monday, July 1 – Monday, July 29, 2024: Students will arrive on Monday, July 1 by 6 pm and depart on Monday, July 29 by 11 am.

ScholarshipsEach student accepted into the program attends SMI on a tuition-free scholarship, which includes all activity, instruction, housing, and local transportation. This scholarship does not include round-trip transportation to and from Washington, DC or the cost of food.

Financial AidA limited amount of financial aid to help defray transportation cost and cost of food during the Institute is available for those who demonstrate financial need. Students will indicate their request for financial aid within the application. Upon acceptance, any student who requested financial aid will be contacted for further information.

HousingStudents will be housed in a triple occupancy hotel room located within a convenient 15-minute walk from the Kennedy Center, and supervised by Resident Assistants. The Kennedy Center shuttle stop is also available by the Foggy Bottom Metro stop and runs on a 15-minute rotation schedule. Students will be responsible for their own meals, which they may prepare in their in-room kitchenette. Meals are also available for purchase at the Kennedy Center canteen.

Obligation of ParticipantsSeriousness and desire to pursue a holistic musical education are most important.  Students selected for the Institute will be expected to enter into a contractual arrangement with the Kennedy Center/National Symphony Orchestra. All private lesson and ensemble coaching fees will be paid for by the Kennedy Center/National Symphony Orchestra. Fees for any unexcused absences at lessons or coachings must be paid for by the student.

Full Orchestra Program for Local ParticipantsStudents living in the greater Washington, DC metro area, who may not be available for the full four-week program, can opt for partial full-orchestra only participation in the Summer Music Institute. To learn more about this, please contact the NSO Education Program.

AccessibilityThe Kennedy Center welcomes all applicants. If you have questions about accessibility or accommodations, you may contact the Office of Accessibility directly at (202) 416-8727 (voice) or access@kennedy-center.org

*Details of this program are subject to change.

NSO Summer Music Institute 2024


2024 Program Dates: July 1-29, 2024Application Deadline: Extended to January 28, 2024, 11:59 PM ET

Join the National Symphony Orchestra for the 2024 Summer Music Institute

The following information will introduce you to the Kennedy Center/National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) Summer Music Institute (SMI).  An initiative of the NSO National Trustees, SMI is a pre-professional summer training program for dedicated high school and college student instrumentalists interested in pursuing a career as 21st century professional musicians. This program provides performance opportunities, high-caliber technical training, practical tools, and rich experiences aimed at empowering students to engage the world as Citizen Artists. 

Every summer, students from all over the United States and abroad, come together to participate in the National Symphony Orchestra's Summer Music Institute. The tuition-free program is designed to expose and prepare students for a 21st century career in music through individualized training and rich experiences to empower students as leaders and thinkers in their chosen fields, while reducing barriers to access.

The 2024 program will include:

Private lessons taught by a member of the National Symphony Orchestra Chamber music coaching by NSO musicians  Master classes and seminars Side-by-side orchestra rehearsal(s) with the NSO  Attendance at selected rehearsals and performances of the NSO Participation in the NSO Summer Music Institute Orchestra Performance opportunities in DC metropolitan area Exposure to internationally-renowned conductors, soloists, and musicians

Citizen Artistry: With a focus on supporting the needs of 21st century students and cultivating the skills of 21st century artists, The Kennedy Center pre-professional artist training programs are committed to nurturing the emerging visionaries who are the future change-makers and culture-shapers. As an integral part of Kennedy Center Education’s mission to foster understanding and uplift communities, each program provides a space where young artists will explore the intersection of artistic practice and civic responsibility, engaging the world as Citizen Artists.

Admissions Information

Eligibility: The Program is open, by recorded video audition, to students ages 15-20 who are seriously considering music as a career and willing to devote themselves to a holistic musical education. Students must be at least 15 years old by July 1, 2024, and no older than 20 years old by July 29, 2024. 

Instruments: National Trustees’ fellowships may be awarded to students who play any of the following: violin, viola, cello, string bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, trombone, bass trombone, tuba, and harp.

Percussionists who live locally may apply to perform with the NSO Summer Music Institute Orchestra and receive the following components of the program. Housing is not provided. While there are no specific excerpt requirements for percussion, we ask that you submit up to two video samples of orchestral repertoire. 

Participation in rehearsals and full-orchestra performances of SMI orchestraSectional rehearsals coached by NSO musicians Side-by-side rehearsal(s) with the NSOObservation of NSO-led master classesParticipation in select enrichment courses and seminars

Pianists who live locally are eligible to apply as part of the chamber program and receive the following components of the program. Housing is not provided. 

Chamber rehearsals and performances coached by NSO musiciansObservation of NSO-led master classesParticipation in select enrichment courses and seminars

Application Requirements

Standards of AcceptanceThe program is intended for serious music students with the primary acceptance standard being musical proficiency. Two essay questions and a recommendation letter will be reviewed carefully to assess student commitment and character. To allow for relative orchestral proportions, more instrument types may be accepted than others.

To ApplyUpdated application information for SMI 2024 can be found on www.kennedy-center.org/SMI. A $30 non-refundable application fee is due upon application submission. Please contact Ross Kaufman, Manager of Career Development Programs, at NSOSMI@kennedy-center.org for further information if you need to request a fee waiver due to financial circumstances or are unable to complete the online application process for any reason. 

Deadline for ApplicationsMaterials must be submitted online by Sunday, January 21, 2024. Students will be notified of the results by the end of March 2023. 

Repertoire (online submissions)Recordings are required to be video files; no audio files will be accepted.

Orchestral excerpts by instrument: www.kennedy-center.org/smiA prepared solo piece not to exceed 20 minutes in length, showing contrasting musical elements (fast/slow, dynamics, etc.) Prepared solo piece may, but need not, include piano accompaniment.  

Concerto Competition (OPTIONAL)The SMI Concerto Competition is open to all full-time participants. Repertoire for the competition must be for full orchestra and must be a piece readily available for purchase or rental.  Details for the concerto competition will be shared upon acceptance to the program.

Additional Information

Program DatesThe program dates are Monday, July 1 – Monday, July 29, 2024: Students will arrive on Monday, July 1 by 6 pm and depart on Monday, July 29 by 11 am.

ScholarshipsEach student accepted into the program attends SMI on a tuition-free scholarship, which includes all activity, instruction, housing, and local transportation. This scholarship does not include round-trip transportation to and from Washington, DC or the cost of food.

Financial AidA limited amount of financial aid to help defray transportation cost and cost of food during the Institute is available for those who demonstrate financial need. Students will indicate their request for financial aid within the application. Upon acceptance, any student who requested financial aid will be contacted for further information.

HousingStudents will be housed in a triple occupancy hotel room located within a convenient 15-minute walk from the Kennedy Center, and supervised by Resident Assistants. The Kennedy Center shuttle stop is also available by the Foggy Bottom Metro stop and runs on a 15-minute rotation schedule. Students will be responsible for their own meals, which they may prepare in their in-room kitchenette. Meals are also available for purchase at the Kennedy Center canteen.

Obligation of ParticipantsSeriousness and desire to pursue a holistic musical education are most important.  Students selected for the Institute will be expected to enter into a contractual arrangement with the Kennedy Center/National Symphony Orchestra. All private lesson and ensemble coaching fees will be paid for by the Kennedy Center/National Symphony Orchestra. Fees for any unexcused absences at lessons or coachings must be paid for by the student.

Full Orchestra Program for Local ParticipantsStudents living in the greater Washington, DC metro area, who may not be available for the full four-week program, can opt for partial full-orchestra only participation in the Summer Music Institute. To learn more about this, please contact the NSO Education Program.

AccessibilityThe Kennedy Center welcomes all applicants. If you have questions about accessibility or accommodations, you may contact the Office of Accessibility directly at (202) 416-8727 (voice) or access@kennedy-center.org

*Details of this program are subject to change.

Opens
Nov 1 2023 12:00 AM (EDT)
Deadline
May 8 2024 11:59 PM (EDT)