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Application Information

DEADLINE: January 15
APPLICATION FEE: $70 before January 1; $125 from January 2–15

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.

2024 LIVE AUDITION DATES AND LOCATIONS (subject to change)
Chicago, IL:Friday, January 26
New York, NY:Friday, February 2 (International Program only)
Saturday, February 3 (International Program only)
Boston, MA:Sunday, February 4
Los Angeles, CA:Friday, February 9
Atherton, CA:Saturday, February 10
Sunday, February 11
Dallas, TX:Saturday, February 17
New York, NY:Sunday, February 18 (Young Performers only)

Late Submissions: Applications will continue to be accepted past January 15 and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Please note: We only accept applications from pre-formed ensembles on a case-by-case basis. If you are a pre-formed ensemble wishing to apply, please contact institute@musicatmenlo.org

APPLICATION PROCESS The following items are submitted via the online application form.
  • Musical biography and/or résumé
  • A list of your recent solo and chamber repertoire.
  • Recordings (see table below for Repertoire Requirements)
  • 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.
  • A recommendation from a primary instructor and/or musician of prominent standing. The recommendation requirement is waived for Young Performers who have previously attended Music@Menlo.
  • A headshot (optional)
  • A nonrefundable application fee of $70 if applying by January 1, 2024, or $125 if applying after January 1.

REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS FOR ROUND ONE (VIDEO) SUBMISSIONS
Please submit video recordings that were created within the past year. Each work must be performed in a single, unedited take and submitted as a separate file. Label your recordings clearly with composer, title, movement(s), and date of recording. Recordings do not have to be from public performances; sound and video quality are of greater importance. Make sure that proper lighting is used and that the camera shows full range of movement and use of instrument. String players note – for works with piano, we want to see your pianist in the video frame.

Young Performers Program
Repertoire Requirements		International Program
Repertoire Requirements
Ages 14-19:
Strings (violin, viola, cello): Total three selections:
  • Either a movement of solo Bach or a solo caprice / etude
  • First or last movement of a Classical-period sonata
  • A work or movement of contrasting style that demonstrates instrumental facility.
Piano accompaniment must be provided for works where it is required. Violists may substitute a sonata of their choice for the Classical-period sonata. Total recording time should be at least fifteen minutes.

Piano: Total three selections:
  • A piece or a movement of a sonata by a Classical-period composer
  • A piece or a movement of a sonata by a Romantic-period composer
  • A third free selection of Applicant’s choice
Total recording time should be at least twenty minutes

Ages 10-13:
Strings (violin, viola, cello): Two selections of contrasting styles, one of which demonstrates instrumental facility. At least one of the selections must be performed with piano accompaniment. Total recording time should be at least ten minutes.
Piano: Two selections of contrasting styles, one of which demonstrates instrumental facility. Total recording time should be at least ten minutes. 		Round One Repertoire for Strings (violin, viola, cello) and Piano:
  • one Classical-period sonata, concerto, or multi-movement work – one substantial movement; string applicants must include piano
  • one Romantic-period sonata, concerto, or multi-movement work – two contrasting movements, string applicants must include piano
  • you may submit any combination of works EXCEPT two concertos. One of the works must be either a sonata or multi-movement work
  • one chamber music work (at least one movement)
Optional
  • Additional chamber music works of your choice.

ROUND TWO – LIVE AUDITIONS
Those who pass round one will be invited to a live audition. 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.

REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS FOR ROUND TWO (LIVE) AUDITIONS
Young Performers Program
Repertoire Requirements		International Program
Repertoire Requirements
For All Ages:
The repertoire you select for the live audition must adhere to the same guidelines as in the Round One video submission stage. Selections can be, but do not have to be the same; however, you must fulfill the aforementioned requirements. Applicants will be asked to prepare an additional selection from the standard chamber music repertoire. The sheet music for this selection will be provided once you are notified about your live audition. 		Applicants who advance to the live audition round should bring at least two contrasting works of their choice. It is not required to bring the same repertoire that was submitted with your online application, but you can if you wish. In addition, please bring the following repertoire:

Violin:
  • BEETHOVEN Sonata for Violin and Piano in G Major, op. 30, no. 3 – movements 1 and 2
    AND
  • BRAHMS Sonata for Violin and Piano no. 1 in G Major, op. 78 – movement 1
Viola:
  • BRAHMS Sonata for Viola and Piano in E-flat Major, op. 120, no. 2 – movement 1
    AND
  • SCHUBERT Sonata for Viola and Piano in a minor, “Arpeggione” – movement 1
Cello:
  • BEETHOVEN Sonata for Cello and Piano no. 1 in C Major, op. 102 – movement 1, Andante – Vivace
    AND
  • BRAHMS Sonata for Cello and Piano no. 2 in F Major, op. 99 – movement 1
Piano:
  • BEETHOVEN Sonata in E-flat Major for Violin and Piano, op. 12, no. 3 – movement 1
    AND
  • BRAHMS Sonata for Violin and Piano no. 3 in D minor, op. 108 – movement 1

AUDITION RESULTS
Audition results are sent to applicants by email. All applicants will be notified of their status by March 1, 2024. Invited applicants are typically given twenty-four hours to accept or decline an invitation for admission.
Young Performers Program admitted students will need to submit a $150 deposit to hold their space at the time of acceptance. The deposit will be refunded to applicant upon completion of the first day of the program

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.

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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.