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Top 10 Summer Music Summer Programs for High School Students
By
Varonika Ware
Varonika Ware is a content writer at Scholarships360. Varonika earned her undergraduate degree in Mass Communications at Louisiana State University. During her time at LSU, she worked with the Center of Academic Success to create the weekly Success Sunday newsletter. Varonika also interned at the Louisiana Department of Insurance in the Public Affairs office with some of her graphics appearing in local news articles.
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Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.
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As summer approaches, you might be eager to finally get a break from school. However, it might be difficult to manage all that free time.
Fortunately, there are summer programs for high school students who have a passion for music! Keep reading to learn more about programs like these and how they can help you hone your skills and enjoy the company of like-minded music lovers!
What is a summer music program?
A summer program is a great way to engage more closely with one of your interests and improve on your skills while you’re still in high school. They’re also great to include on your college applications to make you stand out from the crowd. While taking part in one of these programs, you’ll get a chance to see whether this hobby or activity can become your future career or college major.
Related: Top 10 Summer Programs for High Schoolers
Why we chose these programs
There are tons of summer music programs out there for you to explore, but we compiled a list of our top 10! This list is based on programs that will maximize your skills while you’re still in high school, and some even offer financial aid. Unfortunately, we couldn’t include every amazing option, but each program is worth exploring.
Note about application deadlines and camp open and close dates
If you want to attend a summer music camp, the first thing you need to do is find out each program’s deadline. Fortunately, we’ve included the camp dates and their deadlines so that you can pick the best one for your summer. Even if the deadline has passed, be sure to put it in your calendar to apply next year!
Top summer music programs for high school students
1. Berklee ASPIRE Music Performance Intensive
Berklee is extremely well-known for producing stellar musicians, and they also have summer programs for interested students. This five-week program is unique because you can gain college credit while exploring different parts of the music industry. Fortunately, Berklee offers scholarships to help with the cost of the program.
- Eligibility: ages 15 and up
- Cost: $50 application fee, and $9,630, including housing.
- Application deadline: June 1, 2024
- Camp dates: July 5, 2024 – August 9, 2024
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts
2. Stanford Jazz Camp
The Stanford Jazz Camp is one of the multiple music programs that this university offers during the summer. They offer instrument-specific classes along with lessons for vocalists. Each participant even gets a private lesson, and your family can check out your new skills at the end of the week at the showcase!
If you don’t currently have an instrument, Stanford offers an instrumental request to make sure you can still get your jam on this summer! Keep in mind that the financial aid deadline for all programs is April 15th.
- Eligibility: ages 12-17, must have 18 months of instruction.
- Cost: $2,545 for the week, including housing and meals
- Application deadline: May 1, 2024
- Camp dates: July 14, 2024 – July 19, 2024 or July 21, 2024 – July 26, 2024
- Location: Stanford, California on campus
3. Morse Summer Music Academy at Yale
Start your music journey as early as the third grade at the Morse Summer Music Academy! Students enjoy learning their craft while building a foundation in music theory through mentorship and education. Before attending, all students must complete an in-person musical assessment to assign each to a level, but it doesn’t dictate if you can attend the academy.
- Eligibility: Students in grades 5-12. Requires enrollment in New Haven Public Schools, a recommendation letter from a music teacher, attendance for the entirety of the Academy, and a musical assessment.
- Cost: Free
- Application deadline: March 15, 2024
- Camp dates: June 24, 2024 – July 19, 2024 (Monday through Friday)
- Location: Yale School of Music in New Haven, Connecticut
4. Castleman Quartet Program
The Castleman Quartet Program is a summer program specializing in strings and collaborative piano. It’s open to high school, undergraduates and graduate students, and you can choose between a 7-week, 3-week, or 4-week experience.
It’s important to take your audition seriously since the program only accepts four piano interns since their tuition and room and board are covered. However, the string program doesn’t offer this opportunity, but there are financial aid options to lessen the cost.
- Eligibility: high school, undergraduate or graduate student. Requires an audition.
- Cost: $50-65 application fee, $3,950 for 3 weeks, $4,700 for 4 weeks, and $8,000 for full session
- Application deadline: March 1, 2024 for string and March 31, 2024 for piano
- Camp dates: June 9, 2024 – July 28, 2024, June 9, 2024 – June 30, 2024, June 30, 2024 – July 21, 2024, or July 21, 2024 – July 28, 2024
- Location: Fredonia, New York
5. Interlochen Center for the Arts
The Interlochen Center for the Arts offers a variety of summer music programs that specialize in instruments such as bassoon, oboe, cello, and more! There are even voice programs for students interested in songwriting and opera.
Don’t let the price of this amazing program stop you from applying! After all, Interlochen offers need-based financial aid, merit scholarships, and returning student discounts.
- Eligibility: Students in grades 3-12. Requires a video audition.
- Cost: $65 application fee, $1,830 for 1 week, $4,510 for 2 weeks, $6,765 for 3 weeks, $7,775 for 4 weeks, and $10,080 for 6 weeks.
- Application deadline: Priority deadline is January 15, 2024, but applications are still accepted depending on availability
- Camp dates: One week: June 15, 2024 – June 21, 2024; Two weeks: June 23, 2024 – July 6, 2024, July 7, 2024 – July 20, 2024, July 21, 2024 – August 3, 2024; Three weeks: June 23, 2024 – July 13, 2024, July 14, 2024 – August 4, 2024; Four weeks: June 23, 2024 – July 20, 2024, July 7, 2024 – August 4, 2024; Six weeks: June 23, 2024 – August 4, 2024
- Location: Interlochen, Michigan
6. Summer Performing Arts with Juilliard
Julliard is known for its impact on the arts, and you can experience it firsthand at one of the summer programs. There are five different music opportunities: String Quartet Seminar, Summer Percussion Seminar, Summer Performing Arts, Starling-DeLay Symposium on Violin Studies, and Summer Music Theory and Ear Training. Each program is about one week to two weeks long with varying deadlines.
Specifically, the Summer Performing Arts program has two sessions that focus on different aspects of the arts. The first session covers drama, piano, and voice while the second session covers dance and musical theater.
- Eligibility: ages 12-18. Requires a video audition.
- Cost: $100 application fee, and $11,300 including room and board
- Application deadline: February 15, 2024 (rolling admission if there’s availability)
- Camp dates: June 30, 2024 – July 13, 2024 and/or July 14, 2024 – July 27, 2024
- Location: Windermere Preparatory School in Orlando, Florida
7. National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute
The Summer Music Institute at the Kennedy Center is a wonderful opportunity for you to work in a professional setting while improving on your musical education. It’s a four-week program that includes private lessons and master classes. Students can also attend National Symphony Orchestra rehearsals and performances free of charge!
- Eligibility: ages 15-20. Requires two video auditions, two essay responses and one recommendation letter from a music teacher or conductor
- Cost: Free, not including the $30 application fee
- Application deadline: January 28, 2024
- Camp dates: July 1, 2024 – July 29, 2024
- Location: Washington, D.C. at the Kennedy Center
8. Sphinx Performance Academy
Get excited about spending part of your summer at the Sphinx Performance Academy! It has three different partnerships with music schools, which are University of Colorado Boulder – College of Music and the Juilliard School. This program is a great alternative to applying to one of the partnered schools, and you won’t have to worry about any fees.
- Eligibility: ages 11-17 and must be U.S. citizens. Requires a personal statement, a headshot, a repertoire list, and a video audition
- Cost: Free
- Application deadline: February 16, 2024
- Camp dates: University of Colorado Boulder: June 20, 2024 – June 30, 2024; Juilliard School: July 7, 2024 – July 20, 2024
- Location: Boulder, Colorado and New York, New York
See also: How to write an amazing personal statement
9. BYU Musicians’ Summer Festival
The Brigham Young University Musicians’ SummerFestival is a great way to spend six days of your summer! It caters to both instrumentalists and vocalists that are searching to improve their skills. You can delve into different musical styles or stick to the one you know.
Either way, you can gain a lot from this summer program, including master classes, recitals, and a BBQ! Pack your bags, and get ready to gain new skills and new friends.
- Eligibility: ages 14-18
- Cost: $868, including food and housing
- Application deadline: June 5, 2024
- Camp dates: June 16, 2024 – June 22, 2024
- Location: Provo, Utah
10. UCLA Summer Voice Intensive
Test your vocal cords at the UCLA Summer Voice Intensive! This summer program knows that singing requires more than just your voice, so it was made to instruct you on body awareness, repertoire development, and audition preparation. No voice is the same, and instructors will work with you to create individual recordings showcasing your skills in the best way possible.
- Eligibility: ages 14-18
- Cost: $1,556
- Application deadline: April 30, 2024
- Camp dates: July 8, 2024 – July 12, 2024 and July 22, 2024 – July 26, 2024
- Location: Los Angeles, California at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music
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