High School Orchestral Institute

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Applications remain open in high school violin, viola, double bass, and harp! Scholarship support is still available.

The Program

Orchestral performance forms the heart of the Brevard Music Center. Students who play orchestral instruments may enroll in the Orchestral Studies program for an intensive summer training experience.

All students in the High School Orchestral Studies program:

• rehearse daily and perform extensively in various ensembles
• receive weekly private lessons
• participate in formal chamber music study coached by BMC's artist faculty
• may perform in solo and chamber concerts
• may participate in masterclasses
• may attend open rehearsals with world-renowned concert soloists
• may compete in the Jan and Beattie Wood Concerto Competition
• may attend other orchestra, chamber, solo, and opera performances

The High School Division is open to students who are at least 14 by the start date of their program and have not yet completed one year as a full-time college student. The program is a six-and-a-half week session, with numerous concerts presented by the High School participants during that time. Shorter sessions are not available in this program. Information about our on-campus safety procedures will be updated regularly on our FAQ page.

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Dates and Deadlines

Program Dates: June 23 - August 6, 2023
Deadline: Applications are open for violin, viola, double bass, and harp until all spots are filled. Please email admissions@brevardmusic.org with any questions.
Ages: 14-18, including graduating high school seniors
Tuition: $8800; includes all instruction, housing, and meals.
Scholarships: BMC offers both merit scholarship and financial aid support as part of the application process
Application fee: $65

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High School Strings

BMC High School Division string students perform in the Brevard Concert Orchestra, under BMC's Artistic Director Keith Lockhart, and BMC's Resident Conductor Ken Lam. The BCO maintains a regular schedule of sectional rehearsals in addition to the daily rehearsal of the full ensemble.

Additional features of BMC's High School string program include technique and orchestral repertoire classes, string quartet seminars and coachings, and mock auditions / audition preparation classes.

In addition, renowned violist Roberto Díaz, a BMC alumnus and President of the Curtis Institute of Music, will have a residency in Brevard to play Bright Sheng’s new viola concerto written specially for him. Mr. Díaz is an inaugural honoree of The Thomas C. Bolton Distinguished Artist Chair, a newly-established program supported by The Payne Fund. 

Concertmaster Studio

BMC's Concertmaster Studio provides a select group of violin students with the opportunity to study with some of the world's greatest concertmasters. Students in the Concertmaster Studio will receive weekly private lessons, orchestral leadership training, and will participate in studio classes and masterclasses. Acceptance into the Concertmaster Studio is by audition. Additional audition excerpts are required - see the "Audition Requirements" section below for a list. (Selection into the Concertmaster Studio does not guarantee a principal seat in orchestra.)

Past concertmasters have included leaders from the Philadelphia Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Pacific Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, the BBC Concert Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic.

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High School Woodwinds / Brass / Percussion

Students in the High School Division perform in the Brevard Concert Orchestra, under BMC's Artistic Director Keith Lockhart, and BMC's Resident Conductor Ken Lam. The BCO maintains a regular schedule of sectional rehearsals in addition to the daily rehearsal of the full ensemble.

Woodwind, brass, and percussion students also participate in the Brevard Symphonic Winds under the baton of Kraig Alan Williams. The BSW commences its season with the traditional Patriotic Pops concert on July 4, always one of the Music Center's most popular events. The Symphonic Winds feature performances of advanced repertoire not typically available to high school ensembles.

Additional features of BMC's High School program include technique and orchestral repertoire classes, auxiliary instrument classes, and mock auditions / audition preparation classes. Woodwind students may also participate in reed-making seminars. Additional features of BMC's High School Brass / Percussion program include participation in "Just Brass," a concert that brings together all BMC brass players on campus, and participation in "Supersonic," the annual percussion concert that includes all BMC percussion faculty and students.

Note: Saxophonists apply directly to the Saxophone Institute.

Brass players can also apply to our one-week Low Brass Seminar! Please feel free to contact admissions@brevardmusic.org and we can copy your application over.

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Tuition and Payment Schedule

The tuition for the six-and-a-half week High School Orchestral Institute is $8800. This includes all instruction, housing, meals, and the opportunity to attend on-campus concerts and other events. Each participant is responsible for travel to and from Brevard.

A non-refundable enrollment fee of $950 is due within 2 weeks of acceptance and applies toward the cost of tuition. The remaining tuition balance is due by May 15.

Arrival is on Friday, June 23, with check-in between 10:00am-5:00pm. 

Departure is after the concert with family on Friday, August 4, or anytime that weekend. The Season Finale concert (performed by participants in the College Division) is the afternoon of Sunday, August 6. All students must depart by the afternoon of Monday, August 7.

Refunds

All payments, except the $65 application fee and $950 enrollment fee, will be fully refunded if the Center receives notice of cancellation due to serious illness before May 15. Written verification from an M.D. is required before a refund can be made. No reduction in fees can be made for late arrival or early departure. No refunds will be made after May 15.

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Scholarships

Brevard Music Center offers scholarship support according to a student's audition and demonstrated financial need, and program need. In recent years, Brevard has provided scholarship support to more than 70% of its students. Scholarship support includes merit, need-based, and the BMC Opportunity Scholarship open to students of Black and Latinx descent. 

Please visit the Scholarship section of our FAQ page for more information.

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Audition Requirements

Admission to the Brevard Music Center is determined by audition. 

Accompaniment is optional. Total audition length should not exceed approximately 12 minutes. 

Audio or video recordings are accepted for all instruments except percussion (must submit a video audition). Upload audio recordings or link(s) to YouTube video auditions directly into your application. Submissions do not have to be one continuous take; once you add one selection, the option to add another will appear. 

Choose your instrument or program to view specific audition requirements.

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Apply Now

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Additional Information By Instrument

Strings

Violin

Viola

Cello

Double Bass

Harp

Woodwinds

Flute

Oboe

Clarinet

Bassoon

Brass / Percussion

French Horn

Trumpet

Trombone

Bass Trombone

Tuba

Percussion