Apply to the Instrumental Program
Applications open November 1.
Chautauqua welcomes applications from all eligible musicians with no preference to racial or ethnic origins, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, disability, or age.
Admission decisions and scholarship awards are made by March 1 for the Instrumental Program. We will start to release audition results to applicants by instrument section throughout the month of February. Every applicant will be contacted with their admission results through the email address on their application by March 1. In collaboration with peer festivals, we are participating in an Admit Reply deadline of Monday, March 10 at 7 p.m. Eastern. Those accepted will have until this deadline to commit to a festival. After this deadline passes, alternates will be notified of their acceptance and will have an enrollment deadline of Wednesday, March 12 at 7 p.m. Eastern.
Contact Information
Sam Minardi-Lopez
Schools of Performing & Visual Arts (PAVA) and Arts Education Coordinator
716-357-6234
sminardi@chq.org
Sarah Malinoski
Director, Chautauqua Schools of Performing and Visual Arts
716-357-6233
f: 716-357-9014
smalinoski@chq.org
Chautauqua Festival Schools of Performing and Visual Arts
P.O. Box 1098
1 Ames Ave.
Chautauqua, NY 14722
The Music School Festival Orchestra is underwritten in part by the Hultquist Foundation and the Carnahan-Jackson Foundation of Jamestown, N.Y.
Scholarships are awarded only to students enrolled for, and who will participate fully in, the entire program.
In 2024, the Chautauqua Institution awarded direct scholarship aid to 100% of the students in the Instrumental Program.
Applicants must be enrolled in or recently graduated from music studies at the time of application. Professional musicians are not eligible for admission or financial aid.
Recorded Auditions
Only video auditions are being accepted for summer 2024. Videos must include the repertoire requirements listed below and be uploaded with your application on Slideroom. Auditions are evaluated by Mo. Muffitt and a group of resident faculty.
Please submit a video recording of 2-3 standard orchestral excerpts for your instrument. There is a list of preferred excerpts, but you may choose others if needed. Also, please submit 4-8 minutes of solo work for your instrument. This can be a standard work, but you are also encouraged to consider works created by historically under-represented composers including women, people of color and living composers. Percussion students will need to submit the entire list of repertoire included on the link above.
Please apply online at Chautauqua.slideroom.com
Your recordings should be separate uploads (solo piece and then the excerpts). For the excerpts, you may select what to include. There are no required portions although most applicants prepare the “standard” selections on each. Please also include a short video introduction of yourself including where you study, with whom, and what year you are in. The committee wants to get to know you as a person as well as a musician!