Instrumental Applications and Auditions
On-line Application | Financial Aid Application | Instructor Recomendation Form
Deadline to submit an application is February 1st. This is a postmark deadline.
Chautauqua welcomes applications from talented students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin or religious background. Admission is by application and audition for full-term students. Be sure to indicate your preference as to audition site. Admission decisions and scholarship awards are made by March 31 for the Instrumental Program. Admission results will be emailed to the address on the student's application. No decision will be released until the applicant’s file is complete and the non-refundable application fee of $40 is paid.
General Instructions
Decide whether you will be auditioning live or with a recorded audition. We admit students equally from both, but if you do live near one of the cities we will be auditioning in it would be worth your while to do a live audition. Maestro Timothy Muffitt personally evaluates all of the live auditions and listens to each individual recorded audition.
Please complete the On-line Application, Financial Aid Application, Instructor Recomendation forms and read the specific requirements for the Instrumental Program carefully.
Scholarships are awarded only to students enrolled for, and who will participate fully in, the entire term of any program in the Chautauqua Music Festival.
Applicants for full-term programs 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.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
In 2011, the Chautauqua Institution awarded direct scholarship aid to 100 percent of the students in the Instrumental Program ranging from 64% - 100% of the total cost.
Scholarships are awarded on the basis of talent first, with years of study and financial need being important secondary criteria. While we do offer merit scholarships, it is also very helpful to fill out the financial aid form if you want to be considered for additional need-based aid.
Instructions for preparing a recorded audition.
Please read these instructions carefully. Percussionists are asked to audition by DVD only. See the requirements.
String applicants: a movement from a standard concerto and two to three orchestral excerpts .
Wind, brass and percussion: a solo piece and two to three suggested orchestral excerpts .
We can accept CD and DVD auditions only. We cannot accept MP3 files, online links, cassette tapes, minidiscs, video tapes or DAT tapes.
Please put suggested orchestral excerpts at the beginning and the solo piece at the end of the recording.
Mail your recording
Label your recording:
Name
Instrument
Content of Recording
Must be postmarked by February 1st
Schools Office
1 Ames Ave
PO Box 1098
Chautauqua, NY 14722
Late recordings may be accepted if appropriate vacancies exist. The school receives hundreds of recordings each year. It is essential that you label your recording clearly and that you submit it prior to the February 1 deadline for consideration.
All recordings will become property of the Chautauqua Music Festival and will not be returned.
Instructions for live auditions
Apply at least 10 days before scheduled live audition to receive an audition time. You may select your audition city on the application from those listed below.
String applicants need to prepare: a movement from a standard concerto and two or three suggested orchestral excerpts.
Wind and brass need to prepare: solo piece and two or three suggested orchestral excerpts.
Application Deadline: Feb. 1st
Please do not bring your application, financial aid form or recommendation with you, those should be sent to the office prior to February 1st.
Live auditions by city
ANN ARBOR, MI
February 7 (Tuesday)
6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
University of Michigan
School of Music, Room 2026
BATON ROUGE, LA
February 13 (Monday)
5 - 4 p.m.
Louisiana State University
School of Music Recital Hall
CLEVELAND, OH
January 26 (Thursday)
6 - 9 p.m.
Cleveland Institute of Music
School of Music, Room 226
EVANSTON, IL
February 8 (Wednesday)
1 - 4 p.m.
Northwestern University
Regenstein Hall, Room 137
NEW YORK, NY
January 24 (Tuesday)
7-10 p.m.
The Juilliard School
Room 548
ROCHESTER, NY
January 25 (Wednesday)
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Eastman School of Music
Ciminelli Lounge
100 Gibbs Street
