The 2024 Guide to Summer Camps,

Institutes & Programs

Hiking in the Himalayas? Surfing in Santa Cruz? Our personal favorite—especially since it requires no audition, is suited to all levels, and is located in a resort town featured on Trip Advisor—is the Ludwig Albert International Marimba Summer Academy in Fermentelos, Portugal.

Whether you’ve already arrived in the pantheon of pros, or just want to spend a few weeks polishing or experimenting (marimba lessons come to my mind), we hope you’ll find something that appeals in this potpourri of offerings.

COVER PHOTO: Attendees at the Pacific Region International Summer Music Association's ‘PRISMA on the Beach’ concert at Willingdon Beach, Canada.
CREDIT: Andy Rice

Download the Guide ⤊ or scroll down ⤋ to view information for each program

The seminar fosters the growth of pre-formed, pre-professional string quartets by refining their artistry through mentoring with the Juilliard String Quartet. 

MSM’s summer program for young musicians ages 8 to 17 is designed to develop their talents, build friendships, and have fun! MSM Summer provides instruction and performance experience for students in a dynamic conservatory setting. Students will develop their musical skills and will join a vibrant community of young musicians.

CCM offers an immersive and intensive experience, allowing you to learn from leading nationally recognized artists and teachers. Additionally, you’ll live, work and play on UC's renowned campus. With programs for high school students ranging from musical theatre to jazz, summer camp has never been this rewarding!

Musicians play in ensembles alongside world-class faculty, who are from top institutions like Eastman; Guildhall; Reina Sofia; Ensemble 360; and more. Come spend two weeks in the Austrian Alps playing chamber music with talented young artists, established professionals, and talented amateurs.

You bring your voice and a spirit of adventure. We add the elements for the ultimate choral experience: a world-class conductor and faculty; great repertoire; inspiring travel and concert halls with orchestra; and a big chorus of amateur singers like you. Find your choral adventure at BCI.

Brevard Music Center offers a rigorous and immersive program of instruction and professional performance, where students and faculty co-exist, collaborate, and perform as one on stage. Private lessons are complemented by participating in orchestral, chamber, and opera performances.

Chapman University hosts week-long summer instrumental and vocal music camps for students entering grades 9-12. Campers enjoy an exciting, positive, and rewarding musical experience. You'll learn college-level repertoire with award-winning faculty and guest artists while making new friends and having fun. Scholarships available.

CC Summer Music Festival, now in its 40th year, is a three week intensive training for pre-professional musicians. All accepted applicants attend on full fellowship (free tuition, room and board). Orchestra, chamber groups, private lessons and mentoring, community outreach, small faculty to fellow ratio for a very personal experience.

Intensive study of orchestral music set in a faith and service context with world-renowned faculty.

Join the GRAMMYⓒ-nominated Dover Quartet for an 11-day summer program, designed to bring your string quartet to the next level. Prepare for competitions, residencies, and a professional career. The program will be held May 29-June 8, 2024, and will offer coachings and master classes.

2024 marks Eastern Music Festival’s 63rd season of musical excellence. Based in Greensboro, NC, EMF is a nationally acclaimed summer classical music festival and educational institution dedicated to focused pre-professional training, educational enrichment, and astounding public performance. EMF is distinguished by its accomplished faculty, exhilarating repertoire, and stellar visiting artists.

Leadership training to develop skills & perspectives for a career in music leadership in both traditional & non-traditional settings.

The FOOSA Philharmonic is a pre-professional orchestra where advanced college and high school musicians perform major orchestral masterworks side-by-side with internationally-recognized professionals. FOOSA is a full-immersion program that cultivates a sense of orchestra community.

This intensive program of solo and chamber music study welcomes college, graduate, high school aged violinists, violists, and cellists into an atmosphere of focused professionalism. All students participate in the same program, giving them the opportunity to learn from world class faculty & festival fellows.

Immersive, residential pre-college experience; faculty of renowned guest artists, top music educators, and Ithaca College faculty; an array of music electives designed for specific music interests: performance, music education, sound recording technology, composition, and jazz; non-music electives; college preparatory workshop; state-of-the-art facilities in a beautiful campus setting.

Chamber, orchestral, and solo repertoire are core components of Kent Blossom Music Festival. Students at the festival experience intensive coaching and mentorship from members of The Cleveland Orchestra, Kent State music faculty and visiting guest artists. The festival stands as one of the top U.S. summer training institutes.

KMF brings together musicians and renowned faculty in a residency program of chamber music study, master classes and frequent solo and chamber performance opportunities. The beauty of the Green Mountains as a backdrop, the limited enrollment, personal attention and collegial atmosphere. KMF 2024 could be the musical experience of your lifetime.

Masterclasses offer the best world-renowned professors, excellent working conditions, quiet place for lessons, clearly defined schedule, and access to practice rooms during the day in central Ljubljana. Students can perform at a concert within the 72. Ljubljana Festival, providing them with an opportunity to present themselves to wider audiences.

Two-week summer intensives for Grades 3-5 [Music at Mannes] and Grades 8-12 [Small Ensemble Intensive]. Students engage in classes, coachings, workshops, and masterclasses, and present culminating performances in Mannes School of Music's state-of-the-art recital halls.

Individually tailored studies for pianists, string players, singers, composers, and conductors who engage in a number of intensive collaborative solo, chamber music, and string orchestra performances as they co-perform alongside faculty and guest musicians at various main stages and spectacular summer locations. Requires some travelling for performances in neighboring countries.

The NFMC is largest nonprofit organization in America promoting and supporting American music, performers, and music education. A grassroots organization working in communities throughout the country, NFMC provides musical opportunities for all ages: professional and amateur musicians, benefactors, volunteers, music lovers, music teachers, music students, and supportive parents.

SMI is a pre-professional summer training program for dedicated high school and college student instrumentalists interested in pursuing a career as 21st Century professional musicians. This program provides performance opportunities, high-caliber technical training, practical tools, and rich experiences aimed at empowering students to engage the world as Citizen Artists.

Oberlin Conservatory Summer Programs provide opportunities to study music spanning from historical performance to 21st century electroacoustic. It's a supportive environment for students (age 13 to graduate school), teachers, accomplished amateurs, and performing professionals. Expand your repertoire, improve your technique, and advance your skills.

Three full length opera productions complete with sets, costumes, and professional orchestra. All productions double cast so many roles available, but a minimum of three performances of all roles. Children's opera produced with Studio artists; travels to approximately 15 venues, also double cast. Residential in the beautiful Ozark mountains.

PRISMA prides itself on its focus not only on the technical aspects of music education but also on the care it takes to ensure a positive experience—one that brings people together through a shared love of music. It has an exceptionally supportive environment for learning and performing together.

Round Top Festival Institute offers six weeks of intensive training for young musicians seeking a transition from conservatories and universities to a future professional career. Symphony orchestra, chamber orchestra, chamber music, and solo repertoire are included in this concentrated six-week program on the beautiful and unique campus of Festival Hill.

Summer@Eastman offers students and the community an individualized and world-class music education experience. Choose from day workshops and camps for middle and high school students, weeklong institutes devoted to various instruments or specialties, collegiate classes, online workshops, and Music Leadership programs and courses.

A burst (or pulse) of meaningful instruction, relationship building, and growth. MPulse is a transformative experience for young artists that launches them into the college audition process with a newfound confidence, knowledge base, and passion for the arts. Participants study with our world-renowned faculty on the U-M Ann Arbor campus.

Forty-five composers, performers, teachers, choral singers, improvisers, and electronic musicians from around the world gather together with 15 dedicated faculty and inspiring artists-in-residence in an immersive, residential, and transformational music experience. Recent visiting artists include Amy Beth Kirsten, Marcos Balter, Lei Liang, International Contemporary Ensemble, and Mivos Quartet.

Equal parts school, camp, and festival, The Walden School Young Musicians Program features inspiring classes, exciting concerts & composers forums, plus chorus and recreation. Students hone musical and creative skills through a rigorous, innovative curriculum, all within a community of encouraging peers and mentors.

Be inspired by exceptional faculty leading workshops, masterclasses, and private lessons alongside peers who are just as passionate as you are. String Quartet, Voice, and Musical Theater Intensives will be held on the scenic 30-acre campus just outside of Boston, with one- to four-week programs for day and boarding students.

The WNO Institute is a summer training program for high school singers focusing on vocal and theatrical performance and preparing students for a career in music. Students develop performance skills and learn to use their talents to create a better future in the arts and the world as Citizen Artists.

Students will have a 100% musical experience in the facilities of the Reina Sofia School of Music, consisting of instrument technique in individual classes, rehearsals, chamber music, “Building an Artist” master classes, that will help them to enter the professional world of music (preparing their curriculum, auditions, exams, competitions, injury prevention).

Conductors will learn from master teachers on rehearsal planning, repertoire selection, gesture technique, and sing with the renowned Young People's Chorus of New York City. Students join our lab program to further their musical skill all within the beautiful oceanside community at Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, CA.