NSO Summer Music Institute 2025
Opens Oct 24 2024 12:00 AM (EDT)
Deadline Jan 28 2025 11:59 PM (EST)
Description

2025 Program Dates: June 23 - July 21, 2025

Application Deadline: NEW! Extended to January 28, 2025, 11:59 PM ET


Join the National Symphony Orchestra for the 2025 Summer Music Institute!

An initiative of the NSO National Trustees, the Kennedy Center/National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) Summer Music Institute (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 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 2025 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 select rehearsals and performances of the NSO 
  • Participation in the NSO Summer Music Institute Orchestra
  • Performance opportunities in the 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 June 23, 2025, and no older than 20 years old by July 21, 2025. 

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 Orchestra
  • Sectional rehearsals coached by NSO musicians 
  • Side-by-side rehearsal(s) with the NSO
  • Observation of NSO-led master classes
  • Participation 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 musicians
  • Observation of NSO-led master classes
  • Participation in select enrichment courses and seminars

Application Requirements

Standards of Acceptance: The 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 Apply: Updated application information for SMI 2025 can be found on www.kennedy-center.org/SMI. A $30 non-refundable application fee is due upon application submission. Please contact Stephanie Baker, 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 Applications: NEWLY EXTENDED! Materials must be submitted online by Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Students will be notified of the results by the end of March 2025. 

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

  • Orchestral excerpts by instrument: www.kennedy-center.org/SMI.
  • A 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 Dates: The program dates are Monday, June 23 – Monday, July 21, 2025: Students will arrive on Monday, June 23 by 6 pm and depart on Monday, July 21 by 11 am.

Scholarships: Each 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 Aid: A 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.

Housing: Students 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 is also available by the Foggy Bottom-GWU metro station 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 Participants: Seriousness and desire to pursue a holistic musical education are most important. Students selected for the Institute will be expected to participate in all scheduled activities 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 Participants: Students who live locally in the greater Washington, DC area but are not available for the full four-week program can opt for partial orchestra-only participation in the Summer Music Institute. To learn more about this, please contact NSOSMI@kennedy-center.org.

Accessibility: The 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.

Apply

NSO Summer Music Institute 2025


2025 Program Dates: June 23 - July 21, 2025

Application Deadline: NEW! Extended to January 28, 2025, 11:59 PM ET


Join the National Symphony Orchestra for the 2025 Summer Music Institute!

An initiative of the NSO National Trustees, the Kennedy Center/National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) Summer Music Institute (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 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 2025 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 select rehearsals and performances of the NSO 
  • Participation in the NSO Summer Music Institute Orchestra
  • Performance opportunities in the 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 June 23, 2025, and no older than 20 years old by July 21, 2025. 

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 Orchestra
  • Sectional rehearsals coached by NSO musicians 
  • Side-by-side rehearsal(s) with the NSO
  • Observation of NSO-led master classes
  • Participation 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 musicians
  • Observation of NSO-led master classes
  • Participation in select enrichment courses and seminars

Application Requirements

Standards of Acceptance: The 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 Apply: Updated application information for SMI 2025 can be found on www.kennedy-center.org/SMI. A $30 non-refundable application fee is due upon application submission. Please contact Stephanie Baker, 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 Applications: NEWLY EXTENDED! Materials must be submitted online by Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Students will be notified of the results by the end of March 2025. 

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

  • Orchestral excerpts by instrument: www.kennedy-center.org/SMI.
  • A 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 Dates: The program dates are Monday, June 23 – Monday, July 21, 2025: Students will arrive on Monday, June 23 by 6 pm and depart on Monday, July 21 by 11 am.

Scholarships: Each 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 Aid: A 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.

Housing: Students 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 is also available by the Foggy Bottom-GWU metro station 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 Participants: Seriousness and desire to pursue a holistic musical education are most important. Students selected for the Institute will be expected to participate in all scheduled activities 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 Participants: Students who live locally in the greater Washington, DC area but are not available for the full four-week program can opt for partial orchestra-only participation in the Summer Music Institute. To learn more about this, please contact NSOSMI@kennedy-center.org.

Accessibility: The 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.

Apply
Opens
Oct 24 2024 12:00 AM (EDT)
Deadline
Jan 28 2025 11:59 PM (EST)

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