by Inman Hebert
As we approach winter break, I encourage each and every student of the horn to examine available music festival options. These classical, two- to eight-week summer music festivals, as found in the United States, serve as intensive, immersive programs for performers. Though diverse in their offerings, these festivals, institutes, and workshops primarily fill orchestral ensembles. Some programs may also provide masterclasses, individual instruction, section rehearsals, studio classes, concerto competitions, professional development seminars, or mock auditions. The list included below focuses on festivals for which college-age students would be eligible, though one or two are open to younger players.
Students should look ahead to application deadlines; these range from December to early March. Festival costs vary and range up to almost $13,000. Some offer partial or full scholarships upon acceptance, while others provide financial aid based on need (requiring completion of a form). Some cover tuition while others include room and board. Housing ranges from hotel rooms, campus dorms, cabins, and private homes. As a general rule, no festivals cover transportation costs to the music festival, such as airline tickets.
Many festivals offer reduced application fees for meeting an earlier deadline. Those fees range from $30.00 to $125.00. In addition to the application and the audition, other requirements may include personal statements, teacher recommendations, resumés, financial aid applications, essay questions, video responses, and headshots.
Auditions tend to consist of one or two solo pieces plus excerpts. Common solo requirements include Strauss’ Horn Concerto No. 1 or a Mozart concerto, whereas others request two movements of contrasting styles and musical eras. Specifications on piano accompaniments vary from them being required, optional, or disallowed. Excerpts are also pulled from the standard repertoire, including Till Eulenspiegel, Ein Heldenleben, Shostakovich 5, Tchaikovsky 5, and Wagner’s “short call,” etc. Instructions also dictate whether the individual components of the audition can be filmed in separate videos or whether the video must be recorded in one continuous take.
Whether considering a music festival for this coming summer or for the future, reviewing the requirements now will help students identify the options best suited for their situations and the instructions for completing applications and audition videos. The best time to plan for the summer is now, and these festivals offer vital pre-professional opportunities for growth as a horn student. View the list here.
