Experience conservatory-style living with a rigorous musical schedule and opportunities to perform with your peers in an intimate, challenging and supportive learning environment. This three-week course features personalized attention from a celebrated faculty.
Rehearse and perform alongside your musical peers and grow as an artist through:
- Chamber music rehearsals
- Private instruction
- Sectional coachings
- Performance classes
- Weekend recitals (orchestra, chamber and solo)
You’ll live, share meals, and practice in Curtis’s beautiful Lenfest Hall. High school students who have received individual instruction on their instruments for at least two years are welcome. This program is best enjoyed by students ages 14 to 19. Lessons with YASP faculty and other private instructors are available upon request, and will incur a separate fee. Please inquire at summerfest@curtis.edu or (215) 717-3167.
Learn more about the faculty:
Possible day excursion to museums on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
| Times | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8–9 a.m. | Breakfast | Breakfast | Breakfast | Breakfast | Breakfast | Breakfast |
| 9–10 a.m. | Practice and warm-up | Practice and warm-up | Practice and warm-up | Practice and warm-up | Practice and warm-up | Practice |
| 10 a.m.–noon | Orchestra/Piano duos Class (voice) |
Orchestra/Piano duos Class (voice) |
Orchestra/Piano duos Class (voice) |
Orchestra/Piano duos Class (voice) |
Orchestra/Piano duos Class (voice) |
|
| Noon–1 p.m. | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch |
| 1–3 p.m. | Chamber music Opera scenes (voice) |
Chamber music Opera scenes (voice) |
Winds/Harp class Strings class Piano class Opera scenes (voice) |
Chamber music Opera scenes (voice) |
Performance class Opera scenes (voice) |
1–2:30 p.m. Sound check 2:30–3 p.m. Warm-up |
| 3–3:30 p.m. | Break | Break | Break | Break | Break | 3-5 p.m. Concert: Chamber and solo 5-5:30 p.m. Free time |
| 3:30–5:30 p.m. | Lessons/Practice (instrumental)Class (composition)Master class (voice) | Lessons/Practice (instrumental)Class (composition)Master class (voice) | Lessons/Practice (instrumental)Class (composition)Master class (voice) | Theory class/Conducting class | Sound check | |
| 5:30–6:30 p.m. | Dinner | Dinner | Dinner | Dinner | Dinner | Dinner |
| 6:30–9 p.m. | Evening activities: Movie night | Evening activities: Insomnia Cookies and ice cream | Evening activities: Night out! | Evening activities: Open mic (perform for your peers or improv) | 6:30–7 p.m. Warm-up 7–9 p.m. Concert: Large ensemble and chamber 9–10 p.m. Free time |
Possible outdoor concert to attend |
Schedules are subject to change.
Check in on Sunday, July 7 from 4 to 7 p.m. Check out on Saturday, July 27 from 8 to 11 a.m. Residential costs include July 7 dinner and July 27 breakfast.
Check in on Monday, July 8 from 8 to 9 a.m. An optional meal plan can be purchased for $27 a day.
| Expense | Resident amount | Non-resident amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $3,050 | $3,050 |
| Registration fee | $60 (through April 1) $100 (April 2–May 1) |
$60 (through April 1) $100 (April 2–May 1) |
| Residential cost | $1,800 | $405 (optional meal plan) |
| Total | $4,910 | $3,515 |
We encourage composition and vocal students to apply.
This is not recommended but may special circumstances may be considered. Please inquire at summerfest@curtis.edu or (215) 717-3167.
No audition is required for admission, but we will ask students to submit a sample of their playing. This will inform decisions on chamber music and orchestra seating assignments.
Curtis Summerfest does not offer scholarships . Students and parents are urged to seek financial assistance from local sources such as school music organizations; county, state, or national music education organizations; youth orchestras and bands; music clubs; service clubs (Rotary, Kiwanas, etc.); businesses; local churches; and foundations.
We offer no refunds of any kind, including for dismissal due to violation of rules or state, federal, or local laws. There are no refunds for early departure. Exceptions may be made only in the event of a documented medical emergency, in which case room and board may be refunded on a prorated basis only. No participant will be admitted until all fees are paid in full.
Parents are welcome to stay on campus at a rate of $90 per night, per person. This fee includes three meals per day in our Dining Hall, as well as linens. To maximize your child’s experience, however, accommodations for parents and students are in separate suites.
The only local airport with commercial flights is Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). Taxis are generally the most efficient way to transfer back and forth and are the recommended option for any student aged 18 or under. The ride to the airport from Curtis takes about 25 minutes and costs $30. In special cases, Summer Program Assistants may be available to meet students at the airport and escort them in a taxi to campus. Adult students may wish to explore other ground transportation options.
The main entrance is at 1616 Locust Street, and is guarded 24/7. (At most times there also is a guard “roving” throughout the building.) Curtis students, staff and faculty may enter using turnstiles activated by swipe cards. Summerfest student residents will have access to private elevators to residential floors. Student residents are issued a personal security key card to swipe/enter their suite, and a standard door key to lock/enter their bedroom. Visitors will not be allowed during the duration of the program.
Students are housed in same-sex suites. Students are not allowed in opposite-sex suites at any time.