THE KENNEDY CENTER / NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA SUMMER music INSTITUTE

Sponsored in Illinois by the Illinois Music Educators Association

THESE PAGES FOR INFORMATION AND FUTURE REFERENCE ONLY

PROGRAM DEADLINE FOR SUMMER, 2010 HAS PASSED

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Application Deadline: Friday, January 22, 2010 (PASSED) 

KENNEDY CENTER/NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

NATIONAL TRUSTEES’

SUMMER MUSIC INSTITUTE

(June 28-July 26, 2010)

The following information will introduce you to the Kennedy Center/National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) Summer Music Institute (SMI).  Through an initiative of the NSO National Trustees, young musicians ages 15-20 are eligible to apply for a National Trustees’ fellowship.  One musician from most states will be selected to participate on scholarship in the 2010 Summer Music Institute, with more than one student chosen from West Virginia, the Orchestra’s 2010 Residency state.  Several international students will be selected as well.

Program Description:  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.  Each student accepted into the Program attends on full scholarship, which includes the following benefits: housing, food allowance, and local transportation during their stay in our Nation's Capital. (Round-trip transportation to and from Washington, DC, is not included.)

• 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

Eligibility:  The Program is open, by recorded audition, to students ages 15-20 (as of June 28, 2010) who are seriously considering orchestral music as a career and willing to devote themselves to a musical education.

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 (Illinois Music Educators Association) or Kennedy Center (refer to web site www.kennedy-center.org/nso/nsoed/smi/ for information by state) by Friday, January 22, 2010.  Students will be notified of the results by mid-March 2010.

Repertoire: On standard CD or standard DVD only:

1) orchestral excerpts by instrument (as posted on the SMI web site)

              www.kennedy-center.org/nso/nsoed/smi/

2) a prepared solo piece not to exceed 20 minutes in length, showing contrasting musical elements (fast/slow, dynamics, etc.)

 

Put orchestral excerpts first on CD/DVD. For CDs, put prepared piece on a separate track.  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.

Financial Aid: A limited amount of financial aid to help defray transportation costs is available for those who demonstrate extreme financial need. To apply, complete the Financial Aid application and mail with program application by the deadline.  Students selected to participate in SMI will be notified of any financial aid in their acceptance letters.

To Apply: Complete the enclosed application form and return to the sponsoring organization in your state (Illinois Music Educators Association) or the Kennedy Center (see web site) before the deadline, Friday, January 22, 2010.  (Be sure to enclose one (1) letter of recommendation and your recording.)

SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE FOR A PDF VERSION

OF THE APPLICATION FORM

AND THE APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL AID

Tips on CDs and DVDs

These are a few tips that have been compiled by members of the National Symphony Orchestra to help you produce a higher quality recording as you audition for any of the NSO’s training programs. We hope these help you as you begin your recording process.

Only standard CDs and standard DVDs will be accepted.

1. In pieces that have a long piano introduction, please make appropriate cuts and include a shortened introduction.

2. Carefully check your recording levels. Be sure that they are neither too high nor too low.

3. Please list the selections that are included on the recording.

4. Label the recording with your name, instrument, state, and musical selection(s). Label the case of the recording with your name, instrument, and state.

5. Please start with the music right away, do NOT include a spoken introduction.

6. Try to record on a machine that has minimal wow and flutter, especially clarinet players.

7. Be sure to include both fast and slow selections of music.

8. Placing microphones must be done very carefully. If they are too far away the sound tends to be boomy.

9. DO NOT include scales.

10. Put orchestral excerpts first on CD/DVD.  For CDs, put prepared piece on a separate track. 

11. Before you send the recording, listen to it, be sure that it is not blank, and that all pieces have been recorded successfully.

KENNEDY CENTER/NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

SUMMER INSTITUTE APPLICATION FORM

PDF to download, print, complete and submit by mail

KENNEDY CENTER/NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION FORM

PDF to download, print, complete and submit by mail