2007 Kennedy Center Summer Music Institute

Congratulations to Taryn Arbeiter, 2007 KC/SMI recipient!

Application deadline has expired for 2007. Check back late 2007 for 2008 opportunities

KENNEDY CENTER/NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

NATIONAL TRUSTEES’

SUMMER MUSIC INSTITUTE

(July 2-29, 2007)

The following information will introduce you to the Kennedy Center/National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) Summer Music Institute. Through an initiative of the NSO National Trustees, young musicians are eligible to apply for a National Trustees’ fellowship. This program is an extension of the NSO American Residency. One musician from most states will be selected to participate on scholarship for the 2007 Summer Music Institute, with more than one student chosen from Kansas, the Orchestra’s 2006-07 Residency state.

Program Description: The Kennedy Center/National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute is a 4-week summer music program at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, for student instrumentalists. The program is designed for serious music students. The fellowship provides the following benefits to students accepted into the program: Round-trip air transportation will be provided for students to and from Washington, DC, as well as housing, meals, and local transportation during their stay in our Nation's Capital.

· Private lessons taught by a member of the National Symphony Orchestra

· Chamber music coaching by NSO musicians

· Master classes and seminars

· Attendance at selected rehearsals and performances of the NSO

· Participation in the NSO Summer Music Institute Orchestra, conducted by Elizabeth Schulze

· Performance opportunities in DC metropolitan area

· Exposure to internationally-renowned conductors, soloists, and musicians

Eligibility: The Program is open, by recorded audition, to students who are seriously considering orchestral music as a career and willing to devote themselves to a musical education, as follows:

· High School students in grades 9 through 12 (as of September 2007)

· College students entering freshman or sophomore year (as of September 2007)

Instruments: National Trustees’ fellowships may be awarded to students who play any of the following: violin, viola, cello, string bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, and harp (not eligible: guitar, saxophone, percussion, and piano)

Standards of Acceptance: The program is intended for serious music students with the primary acceptance standard being musical talent. Ethnic minorities are encouraged to apply.

Deadline for Applications: Materials must be submitted to the sponsoring organization in your state (refer to application form) by Friday, February 9, 2007. Students will be notified of the results by March 30, 2007.

Repertoire: On CD, audiocassette, or videotape, a prepared solo piece not to exceed 20 minutes in length, showing contrasting musical elements (fast/slow, dynamics, etc.). Please no band or orchestra music. Recordings may, but need not, include piano accompaniment. Should there be any doubt as to the appropriateness of the prepared piece, please phone Carole J. Wysocki, Director, NSO Education Program, at (202) 416-8820.

Obligation of Participants: Seriousness and desire to pursue a musical education are most important. Students selected for a fellowship will be expected to enter into a contractual arrangement with the Kennedy Center/National Symphony Orchestra.

All private lesson fees and performance admittance charges will be paid for by the Kennedy Center/National Symphony Orchestra. Fees for any unexcused absences at lessons must be paid for by the student.

To Apply: Complete the enclosed application form and return to the sponsoring organization in your state (see application form) before the deadline, Friday, February 9, 2007. (Be sure to enclose one (1) letter of recommendation and your recording.)

The Summer Music Institute is a continuation of the National Symphony Orchestra American Residencies project [Kansas 2006-07)] of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The student fellowships are made possible by the NSO National Trustees.

Tips on CDs/DVDs/Tapes

These are a few tips that have been compiled by members of the National Symphony Orchestra to help you produce a higher quality recording as you audition for any of the NSO’s training programs. We hope these help you as you begin your recording process.

2. In pieces that have a long piano introduction, please make appropriate cuts and include a shortened introduction.

3. Carefully check your recording levels. Be sure that they are neither too high nor too low.

4. Please list the selections that are included on the recording. If a cassette, have this facing out!

5. Label the recording with your name, instrument, state, and musical selection(s). Label the case of the recording with your name, instrument, and state.

6. Please start with the music right away, do NOT include a spoken introduction.

7. Try to record on a machine that has minimal wow and flutter, especially clarinet players.

9. Placing microphones must be done very carefully. If they are too far away the sound tends to be boomy.

11. Before you send the recording, listen to it, be sure that it is not blank, and that all pieces have been recorded successfully.

Important: Please read carefully and complete all items on this form. Type or print legibly. Each application must be signed by the applicant and a parent or guardian and must be accompanied by the required recommendation letter and a recording of the student’s performance.

Name of Applicant_____________________________________________________________________

School _______________________________________________________________________________

Major instrument __________________________________ How long played______________________

Permanent home address (address to send notification _________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

Telephone (home) (____)__________________(day-indicate mother/father) (____)__________________

Parent cell phone (_____) __________________ Student cell phone (_____) _________________

E-mail address __________________________________________ Fax (____) _________________

Parent (or Guardian) Names______________________________________________________________

Private music teacher ______________________________ Phone (____)__________________________

School music teacher _____________________________ School phone (____)____________________

Other instruments (list) _________________________________________________________________

List two (2) compositions you are now studying or have studied this past year on your major instrument: (It is not necessary to choose these works for your audition recording.)

_______________________________________ ___________________________________________

____ Suzuki ____ traditional classical ____ jazz ____ other (specify)_________________________

Musical experience (be specific: youth orchestra, state/regional orchestras, wind ensembles, etc.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Chamber Music experience (specify): ______________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Non-musical activities (sports, etc.) ________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

A) One (1) letter of recommendation from your music teacher (conductor or private teacher).

B) A CD, DVD, cassette tape, or videotape (no longer than 20 minutes in length) of your playing. Recordings (CD, DVD, cassette tape, or videotape) must be labeled with student’s name, instrument, state, and musical selection(s). The case of the recording must be labeled with student’s name, instrument, and state. Refer to enclosed page “Tips on CDs/DVDs/Tapes.”

Student signature: ______________________________________________________________________

As parent (or guardian) of the applicant, I approve of his/her participation in the Kennedy Center/National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute.

Parent’s or guardian’s signature:_______________________________________Date:_______________

Optional: Please check the category that best describes the student’s racial or ethnic background. This information is used for statistical purposes only.