High School Orchestral Institute

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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. 

Guest Artist Residencies: In 2025, the Miró Quartet and clarinetist Anthony McGill hold the Thomas C. Bolton Distinguished Artist Chair, a program supported by The Payne Fund. These residencies will include recitals, teaching, seminars, and solo and chamber music masterclasses. Additional guest artists in performance include pianist Yuja Wang, violinist Maria Ioudenitch, pianist Richard Goode, the Pacifica Quartet, and violinist Stella Chen, to name a few.

In addition, the season's guest conductors include Leonard Slatkin, Andrew Grams, Chloé van Soeterstéde, and Mei Ann Chen in addition to Artistic Director Keith Lockhart, Principal Guest Conductor JoAnn Falletta, and Resident Conductor Ken Lam. 

Featured Female living composers in residence and performance include Jennifer Higdon, Cindy McTee, and Caroline Shaw. We will also welcome composer Mason Bates to campus for a world premiere co-commission with Time for Three.

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Dates and Deadlines

Program Dates: June 19 - August 3, 2025
Deadline: February 15, 2025 - Accepting applications in violin and percussion
Early/Rolling Admissions in Violin: Apply by February 1 to be considered for early admissions (violin only)
Ages: 14-18, including rising HS freshmen and graduating HS seniors
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.

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. Visit our Concertmaster Studio page for more information.

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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 will 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.

Notes: Saxophonists apply directly to the Saxophone Institute. Brass players can also apply to our one-week Low Brass Seminar! 

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Tuition and Payment Schedule

The tuition for the six-and-a-half week High School Orchestral Institute is $9200, less any scholarships received. The tuition fee includes all instruction, housing, meals, on-campus health services, and concert admission. Each participant is responsible for travel to and from Brevard.

A non-refundable enrollment fee of $950 is due within 10 days of acceptance and applies toward the cost of tuition. The remaining tuition balance is due by May 15.

Arrival is on Thursday, June 19, 2025 with check-in between 11:00am-5:00pm. 

Departure is after the final high school division concert with family on Friday, August 1, or anytime that weekend (August 2, 3, or 4). The Season Finale concert (performed by participants in the College Division) is the afternoon of Sunday, August 3. Some high school orchestral students stay through the weekend, but many leave early. All students must depart by the afternoon of Monday, August 4.

Flying in? Students can fly in and out of the Asheville, North Carolina airport (AVL). BMC provides an airport shuttle for $15 each way to and from the AVL airport, and shuttle registration is available through MyBMC after enrollment.

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. The "solo pieces" requirement could be single movements of a sonata, concerto, or other piece; the exposition of a concerto; and/or another single-movement work.

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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

Bass Trombone

Tenor Trombone

Tuba

Percussion