Low Brass Seminar
The Program
The Brevard Music Center's Low Brass Seminar is a fun, intensive, and hands-on program led by BMC faculty members and guest artists.
During the program, students will work closely with faculty to receive:
- Private Lesson
- Audition Preparation
- Low Brass Fundamentals
- Daily Masterclasses
- Orchestral Excerpt Study
- Chamber Music
Students interested in the Low Brass Seminar can also apply to our High School Orchestral Institute or College Orchestral Institute!
Dates and Deadlines
Program Dates: June 9-15, 2024
Deadline: March 15, 2024 - The Summer 2025 Application opens November 1!
Ages: 14-29
Application fee: $40
2024 Faculty
David Jackson, trombone
Scott Hartman, bass trombone
Cale Self, euphonium
Bethany Wiese, tuba
with Cristina Cutts Dougherty, tuba
Summer 2025 Faculty to be Announced
Audition Requirements
Admission to the Brevard Music Center is determined by audition. Low Brass Seminar participants may upload audio recordings or submit YouTube links to a video audition within their application.
High school applicants: Perform two solo pieces or etudes in contrasting styles. At least one orchestra (band for euphonium) excerpt is recommended.
College applicants: Perform a solo and 3 standard orchestral excerpts of your choice.
Submissions do not have to be one continuous take. Once you add one selection to your application, the option to add another will appear.
Sample Daily Schedule
7:00-8:00am Breakfast
8:00-9:00am Breathing/Warm-Up Class
9:00-10:30am Chamber Rehearsals/Coaching
10:30am-Noon Masterclass
Noon-1:00pm Lunch
1:00-2:00pm Lessons/Practice Time
2:00-4:00pm Band/Orchestral Repertoire, Mock Audition
4:00-5:00pm Free time
5:00pm Dinner
Evenings: Seminar Recitals/Performances, Round Table Discussions, Recreational Activities
Tuition & Scholarships
The program dates are June 9-15, 2024, and the tuition will be announced. 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.
Limited scholarship support is available in the form of financial need-based assistance.
The application fee is $40. A non-refundable enrollment fee of $400 is due within 10 days of acceptance and applies toward the cost of tuition. The remaining tuition balance is due by May 15.
Refunds - All payments, except the $40 application fee and $400 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. No reduction in fees can be made for late arrival or early departure. No refunds will be made after May 15.
Arrival and Departure
Attendees should arrive on Sunday, June 9, 2024 between 12:00-4:00pm. There will be an evening meal and activity, and the first class is Monday morning. Departure is on Saturday, June 15, and students depart the dorms by 10am. For airport shuttle information, please visit the Transportation section of our FAQ page.
Resident Assistants
A limited number of Low Brass Seminar Resident Assistant (RA) positions are available for the one-week program. Brevard's RAs provide guidance to younger students and supervise student living quarters.
RAs have the same ensemble and performance opportunities as other students. RAs pay only a non-refundable enrollment fee of $400 which covers tuition, room, and board, and must be 21 or older by the start date of their program.
Selected individuals will participate in a telephone interview, and, if chosen, submit to a formal background check and participate in an RA orientation session.