Kennedy Center / National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute
The Kennedy Center/National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute is a 4-week summer music program at the John F. Kennedy Center for the performing Arts in Washington, DC, for student instrumentalists. The program is designed for serious music students. The deadline for submitting 2009 NSO applications to the Alliance is January 20, 2009.
The fellowship provides the following benefits to students accepted into the program: Round-trip air transportation will be provided for students to and from Washington, DC, as well as housing, meals, and local transportation during their stay in our Nation's Capital.
- Private lessons taught by a member of the National Symphony Orchestra
- Chamber music coaching by NSO musicians
- Master classes and seminars
- Attendance at selected rehearsals and performances of the NSO
- Participation in the NSO Summer Music Institute Orchestra, conducted by Elizabeth Schulze
- Performance opportunities in DC metropolitan area
- Exposure to internationally-renowned conductors, soloists, and musicians
2006 Fellowship Recipients from California
- Eric Gratz, violin
- Justin Ho, violin
2007 Fellowship Recipients from California
- Sara Huebner, trumpet
- Stephanie Yu, violin
Eligibility: The Program is open, by recorded audition, to students who are seriously considering orchestral music as a career and willing to devote themselves to a musical education, as follows:
- Students ages 15-20 years old (as of June 29, 2009).
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, tuba, and harp (not eligible: guitar, saxophone, percussion, and piano)
Standards of Acceptance: The program is intended for serious music students with the primary acceptance standard being musical talent. Ethnic minorities are encouraged to apply.
Deadline for Applications: Materials must be submitted to the sponsoring organization in your state (California Alliance for Arts Education, in California) by Tuesday, January 20, 2009. Students will be notified of the results in March, 2009.
Repertoire: On CD, DVD, audiocassette, or videotape only: a prepared solo piece not to exceed 20 minutes in length, showing contrasting musical elements (fast/slow, dynamics, etc.). Please no band or orchestra music. Recordings may, but need not, include piano accompaniment. Should there be any doubt as to the appropriateness of the prepared piece, please phone NSO Education Program, at (202) 416-8820.
Obligation of Participants: Seriousness and desire to pursue a musical education are most important. Students selected for a fellowship will be expected to enter into a contractual arrangement with the Kennedy Center/National Symphony Orchestra.
All private lesson fees and performance admittance charges will be paid for by the Kennedy Center/National Symphony Orchestra. Fees for any unexcused absences at lessons must be paid for by the student.
To Apply: Complete the application form and return to California Alliance, 495 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101 (the sponsoring organization in California) before the deadline, Tuesday, January 20, 2009. (Be sure to enclose one letter of recommendation and your recording.)
The Summer Music Institute is a continuation of the National Symphony Orchestra American Residencies project [South Carolina 2007-08)] of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The student fellowships are made possible by the NSO National Trustees.