Application Information

Applications for the 2023 Institute open November 2022.
Preferred Deadline: January 1, 2023.
Application Fee increases after January 1; Applications accepted until January 15.

Round One: Applicants submit completed application form, audition recordings, and supplementary materials.

Round Two: Applicants who pass Round One will be invited to a live audition. For those unable to travel to one of our audition cities, you will be invited to audition via Zoom.

Late Submissions: Applications received past January 15 will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Please note, we do not accept applications from preformed ensembles.

Questions? Email us at institute@musicatmenlo.org.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The following items are submitted via the online application form.

  • Biography and/or résumé detailing the following information:
    - Current and recent affiliations with any educational and performance institutions (e.g., professional ensembles, youth orchestras, chamber ensembles, preparatory programs, etc.); include dates.
    - A list of competitions, scholarships, or any other notable performances or awards; include dates.
  • A list of your recent solo and chamber repertoire.
  • Recordings (please view recorded repertoire requirements for the International Program here and the Young Performers Program here.)
  • Young Performers Program applicants only — please upload a very brief video of yourself telling us why you want to come to Music@Menlo. Video should be approximately one minute in duration.
  • A list of the audition recordings you are submitting. Include name of work, composer, and date recorded
  • A recommendation from a primary instructor and/or musician of prominent standing. At least one letter of recommendation is required, however, additional letters are gladly accepted. Recommendations are submitted by the author after the applicant submits their application (see online application for more info). The recommendation requirement is waived for Young Performers who have previously attended Music@Menlo.
  • As an optional item, applicants may submit a head shot.
  • A nonrefundable application fee of $70 if applying by January 1, 2023, or $110 if applying after January 1.
2023 SECOND ROUND LIVE AUDITION DATES (subject to change)
  • Atherton, CA: January 28 & 29
  • Los Angeles, CA: January 30
  • Philadelphia, PA: February 2
  • Boston, MA: February 3
  • Chicago, IL: February 11
  • New York, NY: February 11 & 12

LIVE AUDITION FORMAT
Live auditions are typically conducted by two or more members of the audition committee and are video recorded for review by the full audition committee. Most live auditions are fifteen minutes long. If an applicant is unable to audition live, a Zoom audition will be scheduled.

AUDITION RESULTS
Audition results are sent to applicants by email. All applicants will be notified of their status by March 1, 2023. Invited applicants are typically given twenty-four hours to accept or decline an invitation for admission.

HOUSING SUPPORT
Financial aid for housing is available to Young Performers Program participants residing more than forty miles from Atherton, CA who wish to be housed in the dorms/hotel and who demonstrate an unmet financial need. Financial aid applications are evaluated separately from the admissions process.

INSTITUTE QUESTIONS
Please review our Institute FAQ section or contact Daphne Wong, Director of Artistic Administration, at 650-330-2134 or institute@musicatmenlo.org.

Faculty subject to change. Music@Menlo does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, handicap, disability, or age in any of its policies, procedures, or practices. This nondiscriminatory policy covers admission and access to and treatment and employment in the festival’s programs and activities. Inquiries regarding this policy may be directed to the festival office at 650-330-2030.