<p>For next summer, I will absolutely only be applying to programs that are full scholarship, so I thought I would make a list of programs that are totally free and concentrate on orchestral music. Feel free to respond with your own lists of orchestra programs, chamber programs, vocal programs, etc. Just be sure that the ones you list are free (or almost)! </p>
<ul>
<li><p>Aspen Music Festival Fellowships </p></li>
<li><p>Tanglewood Music Center </p></li>
<li><p>National Repertory Orchestra </p></li>
<li><p>National Symphony/Kennedy Center Fellowships </p></li>
<li><p>Music Academy of the West </p></li>
<li><p>Zermatt Academy </p></li>
<li><p>Britten-Pears Orchestra </p></li>
<li><p>Lucerne Festival Academy </p></li>
<li><p>Schleswig-Holstein</p></li>
<li><p>Round Top Festival </p></li>
<li><p>Pacific Music Festival </p></li>
<li><p>Jeunesse Musicales World Orchestra </p></li>
<li><p>UBS Verbier Orchestra </p></li>
<li><p>National Orchestral Institute (almost totally free) </p></li>
<li><p>Sarasota Music Festival (almost totally free) </p></li>
<li><p>Spoleto USA</p></li>
</ul>
<p>And it depends how you define “free”. It can mean accepted applicants do not pay a program tuition fee, the program covers all costs, including room and board, private lessons, and masterclasses. Some require minimal flat fees for all, ($100-200) or a returnable security deposit. Some will charge for lessons or master classes.</p>
<p>Many of these listed are worth thousands when compared to the programs where full out of pocket (or limited aid) costs are the norm.</p>
<p>Correspondingly, the level of play and competition for most of these is at an extremely high level, and many are geared for conservatory, grad, masters. or emerging professional/professional level players.</p>
<p>Don’t get too excited and put your eggs all in on basket. You may get into all you consider, but you should seriously consider solid alternatives if these programs seem a stretch.</p>
<p>I will add some chamber specific ones after I review what I know of.</p>
<p>The list has been alphabetized, please cut and paste if you want to add. </p>
<p>No links are provided, many url’s change yearly. Googling usually will get you there.</p>
<p>No distinction is made between orchestral, chamber concentration. Some are broad, some narrow focused. Info is available at each program.</p>
<p>Be careful, as sometimes the fellowship info is not readily apparent. At some there are different levels. Read the materials thoroughly.</p>
<p>Application dates are very broad. Plan ahead. There are a few with “open till filled” parameters. (Find em…I’m not doing it for ya… ;))</p>
<p>I’m sure there are more not yet listed. Come on people, fess up. We did. :D</p>
<ul>
<li>Aspen Music Festival Fellowships</li>
<li>Blanche Bryden Sunflower Music Institute </li>
<li>Britten-Pears Orchestra </li>
<li>Chamber Music Institute (UNebraska/Lincoln; one week intensive chamber) </li>
<li>Colorado College Summer Music Festival</li>
<li>Garth Newel fellowships</li>
<li>Jeunesse Musicales World Orchestra </li>
<li>Kent Blossom Music</li>
<li>Kneisel Hall</li>
<li>Hot Springs Festival</li>
<li>Icicle Creek Chamber Music Festival</li>
<li>Lucerne Festival Academy </li>
<li>Manchester Music Festival</li>
<li>Marrowstone</li>
<li>Mimir Chamber Music Festival </li>
<li>Music Academy of the West </li>
<li>Music at Menlo</li>
<li>National Orchestral Institute (almost totally free)</li>
<li>National Repertory Orchestra </li>
<li>National Symphony/Kennedy Center Fellowships </li>
<li>New York String Orchestra Seminar (December-New Years timing)</li>
<li>Norfolk (Chamber Music Session)</li>
<li>Pacific Music Festival </li>
<li>Ravinia (Steans Festival)</li>
<li>Round Top Festival </li>
<li>Sarasota Music Festival (almost totally free) </li>
<li>Schleswig-Holstein</li>
<li>Shenandoah Performs (preprofessional division) On hiatus for summer '08</li>
<li>Spoleto USA</li>
<li>Tanglewood Music Center</li>
<li>Taos School of Music Summer Festival</li>
<li>Texas Music Festival</li>
<li>UBS Verbier Orchestra </li>
<li>Yellow Barn </li>
<li>Zermatt Academy</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Aspen Music Festival Fellowships</li>
<li>Blanche Bryden Sunflower Music Institute </li>
<li>Britten-Pears Orchestra </li>
<li>Chamber Music Institute (UNebraska/Lincoln; one week intensive chamber) </li>
<li>Colorado College Summer Music Festival</li>
<li>Garth Newel fellowships</li>
<li>Hot Springs Festival</li>
<li>Icicle Creek Chamber Music Festival</li>
<li>Jeunesse Musicales World Orchestra</li>
<li>Kent Blossom Music</li>
<li>Kneisel Hall</li>
<li>Lucerne Festival Academy </li>
<li>Manchester Music Festival</li>
<li>Marrowstone</li>
<li>Mimir Chamber Music Festival </li>
<li>Music Academy of the West </li>
<li>Music at Menlo</li>
<li>National Orchestral Institute (almost totally free)</li>
<li>National Repertory Orchestra </li>
<li>National Symphony/Kennedy Center Fellowships </li>
<li>New York String Orchestra Seminar (December-New Years timing)</li>
<li>Norfolk (Chamber Music Session)</li>
<li>Pacific Music Festival </li>
<li>Ravinia (Steans Festival)</li>
<li>Round Top Festival </li>
<li>Sarasota Music Festival (almost totally free) </li>
<li>Schleswig-Holstein</li>
<li>Shenandoah Performs (preprofessional division) On hiatus for summer '08</li>
<li>Spoleto USA</li>
<li>Tanglewood Music Center</li>
<li>Taos School of Music Summer Festival</li>
<li>Texas Music Festival</li>
<li>UBS Verbier Orchestra </li>
<li>Yellow Barn </li>
<li>Zermatt Academy</li>
</ul>
<p>Banff and AIMS (American Institute for Musical Studies) in Graz, Austria. Both cover tuition, room and board, although AIMS does not cover costs for evening meals.</p>
<p>Sorry for the non-sequitur, but the National Symphony/Kennedy Center Fellowship is one of the best festivals I have ever attended. Apply there! Airfare, food, lodgings, all paid.</p>
<ul>
<li>American Institute for Musical Studies (Graz, Austria)</li>
<li>Aspen Music Festival Fellowships</li>
<li>Banff</li>
<li>Blanche Bryden Sunflower Music Institute </li>
<li>Britten-Pears Orchestra </li>
<li>Chamber Music Institute (UNebraska/Lincoln; one week intensive chamber) </li>
<li>Colorado College Summer Music Festival</li>
<li>Garth Newel fellowships</li>
<li>Hot Springs Festival</li>
<li>Icicle Creek Chamber Music Festival</li>
<li>Jeunesse Musicales World Orchestra</li>
<li>Kent Blossom Music</li>
<li>Kneisel Hall</li>
<li>Lucerne Festival Academy </li>
<li>Manchester Music Festival</li>
<li>Marrowstone</li>
<li>Mimir Chamber Music Festival </li>
<li>Music Academy of the West </li>
<li>Music at Menlo</li>
<li>National Orchestral Institute (almost totally free)</li>
<li>National Repertory Orchestra </li>
<li>National Symphony/Kennedy Center Fellowships </li>
<li>New York String Orchestra Seminar (December-New Years timing)</li>
<li>Norfolk (Chamber Music Session)</li>
<li>Pacific Music Festival </li>
<li>Ravinia (Steans Festival)</li>
<li>Round Top Festival </li>
<li>Sarasota Music Festival (almost totally free) </li>
<li>Schleswig-Holstein</li>
<li>Shenandoah Performs (preprofessional division) On hiatus for summer '08</li>
<li>Spoleto USA</li>
<li>Tanglewood Music Center</li>
<li>Taos School of Music Summer Festival</li>
<li>Texas Music Festival</li>
<li>UBS Verbier Orchestra </li>
<li>Yellow Barn </li>
<li>Zermatt Academy</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>American Institute for Musical Studies (Graz, Austria)</li>
<li>Aspen Music Festival Fellowships</li>
<li>Banff</li>
<li>Blanche Bryden Sunflower Music Institute </li>
<li>Britten-Pears Orchestra </li>
<li>Chamber Music Institute (UNebraska/Lincoln; one week intensive chamber) </li>
<li>Colorado College Summer Music Festival</li>
<li>Garth Newel fellowships</li>
<li>Hot Springs Festival</li>
<li>Icicle Creek Chamber Music Festival</li>
<li>Jeunesse Musicales World Orchestra</li>
<li>Kent Blossom Music</li>
<li>Kneisel Hall</li>
<li>Lucerne Festival Academy </li>
<li>Manchester Music Festival</li>
<li>Marrowstone</li>
<li>Mimir Chamber Music Festival </li>
<li>Music Academy of the West </li>
<li>Music at Menlo</li>
<li>National Orchestral Institute (almost totally free)</li>
<li>National Repertory Orchestra </li>
<li>National Symphony/Kennedy Center Fellowships </li>
<li>New York String Orchestra Seminar (December-New Years timing)</li>
<li>Norfolk (Chamber Music Session)</li>
<li>Pacific Music Festival </li>
<li>Ravinia (Steans Festival)</li>
<li>Round Top Festival </li>
<li>Sarasota Music Festival (almost totally free) </li>
<li>Schleswig-Holstein</li>
<li>Shenandoah Performs (preprofessional division) On hiatus for summer '08</li>
<li>Spoleto USA</li>
<li>Tanglewood Music Center</li>
<li>Taos School of Music Summer Festival</li>
<li>Texas Music Festival</li>
<li>Verbier Festival Orchestra </li>
<li>Yellow Barn </li>
<li>Zermatt Academy</li>
</ul>
<p>Is Spoleto geared mostly to young professionals? I couldn’t find much information on their website regarding this or regarding accomodations for participants, etc.
Where can I get more information?</p>
<ul>
<li>American Institute for Musical Studies (Graz, Austria)</li>
<li>Aspen Music Festival Fellowships</li>
<li>Banff</li>
<li>Blanche Bryden Sunflower Music Institute</li>
<li>Britten-Pears Orchestra</li>
<li>Chamber Music Institute (UNebraska/Lincoln; one week intensive chamber)</li>
<li>Colorado College Summer Music Festival</li>
<li>Garth Newel fellowships</li>
<li>Hot Springs Festival</li>
<li>Icicle Creek Chamber Music Festival</li>
<li>Jeunesse Musicales World Orchestra</li>
<li>Kent Blossom Music</li>
<li>Kneisel Hall</li>
<li>Lucerne Festival Academy</li>
<li>Manchester Music Festival</li>
<li>Marrowstone</li>
<li>Mimir Chamber Music Festival</li>
<li>Music Academy of the West</li>
<li>Music at Menlo</li>
<li>National Orchestral Institute (almost totally free)</li>
<li>National Repertory Orchestra</li>
<li>National Symphony/Kennedy Center Fellowships</li>
<li>New York String Orchestra Seminar (December-New Years timing)</li>
<li>Norfolk (Chamber Music Session)</li>
<li>Pacific Music Festival</li>
<li>Ravinia (Steans Festival)</li>
<li>Round Top Festival</li>
<li>Sarasota Music Festival (almost totally free)</li>
<li>Schleswig-Holstein</li>
<li>Shenandoah Performs (preprofessional division) On hiatus for summer '08</li>
<li>Spoleto USA</li>
<li>Tanglewood Music Center</li>
<li>Taos School of Music Summer Festival</li>
<li>Texas Music Festival</li>
<li>UBS Verbier Orchestra</li>
<li>Yellow Barn</li>
<li>Youth Orchestra of the Americas</li>
<li>Zermatt Academy</li>
</ul>
<p>frenchhornmom, YOA is basically a summer program, but my addled mind seems to recall some sort of commitment during other times of the year. A quick scan of this year’s website did not reveal that however. For those interested, again tghe best advice is to read ALL the requirements thoroughly and address specific questions directly to the program.</p>
<p>Spoleto (USA) typically draws a mix of emerging pros, grad students, and exceptional undergrads, and I’d imagine there may have been some hs students over the years.</p>
<p>Again, in past years I seem to recall more specific info on housing, accommodations and meal options for participants outlined on the website. A quick scan of the website revealed nothing obvious, but I may have missed it.</p>
<p>Thanks violadad! And, while I’m at it, thanks so much to all the regulars in this forum that so selflessly give their time to answer questions. It’s really appreciated.</p>
<p>So Spoleto is pretty advanced but the good news is that it costs nothing to ask for an audition and if you do get the audition it should be a great experience just going through with it :)</p>
<p>I know that Spoleto reviews the applications and experience indicated and does not offer audition spots to everyone if a particular audition location is “over subscribed”. Even students at major conservatories are sometimes denied an audition. (Don’t take it personally if denied!!)</p>
<p>Oh, it’s not this one violadad, I think. World Orchestra for Peace is a only-pro orchestra I think, with the best orchestra players of the world’s best orchestras.
It’s rather this one : [THE</a> WORLD ORCHESTRA](<a href=“http://www.jmwo.org/]THE”>http://www.jmwo.org/)</p>