College Orchestral Institute

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The Program

Orchestral performance forms the heart of the Brevard Music Center. Students who play orchestral instruments may enroll in the Orchestral Studies program for an intensive summer training experience.

All students in the Orchestral Studies program:

• rehearse daily and perform extensively in various ensembles
• receive weekly private lessons
• may participate in formal chamber music study coached by BMC's artist faculty
• may perform in solo and chamber concerts
• may participate in masterclasses
• may attend open rehearsals with world-renowned concert soloists
• may compete in the Jan and Beattie Wood Concerto Competition
• may attend other orchestra, chamber, solo, and opera performances

The College Division is for students ages 18 through 29 who have completed at least one year as a full-time college student. In addition to current undergraduates, many students in the program have graduated or are presently enrolled for graduate study.

Note: Collaborative pianists apply directly to the Collaborative Piano Program.

Guest Artist Residencies: In 2025, the Miró Quartet and clarinetist Anthony McGill hold the Thomas C. Bolton Distinguished Artist Chair, a program supported by The Payne Fund. These residencies will include recitals, teaching, seminars, and solo and chamber music masterclasses. Additional guest artists in performance include cellist Steven Isserlis, the Pacifica Quartet, and violinist Stella Chen, to name a few.

In addition, the season's guest conductors include Leonard Slatkin, Andrew Grams, Chloé van Soeterstéde, and Mei Ann Chen in addition to Artistic Director Keith Lockhart, Principal Guest Conductor JoAnn Falletta, and Resident Conductor Ken Lam. 

Featured Female living composers in residence and performance include Jennifer Higdon, Cindy McTee, and Caroline Shaw. We will also welcome composer Mason Bates to campus for a world premiere co-commission with Time for Three.

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Dates and Deadlines

Program Dates: June 16 - August 3, 2025
Deadline: February 15, 2025 - Start your application now and come back to it at any time!
Early/Rolling Admissions in Violin: Apply by February 1 to be considered for early admissions (violin only)
Ages: 18-29
Scholarships Available: BMC offers both merit scholarship and financial aid support as part of the application process
Application Fee: $65

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College Strings

New in 2024 and 2025: TA positions in College Division Strings! 3 violin, 2 viola, 1 cello, 1 double bass.

String students in BMC's College Division work side by side with the artist faculty in the Brevard Music Center Orchestra, the Music Center's flagship ensemble. The orchestra performs important repertoire under its Artistic Director Keith Lockhart and distinguished visiting conductors. Each summer world-renowned soloists appear with the BMC Orchestra.

College Division students also perform in the Brevard Sinfonia, a symphony orchestra that likewise works under the Artistic Director and guests. String students perform with both orchestras on a rotational basis. In a single week, string students play in one orchestra. The BMCO and Brevard Sinfonia maintain a regular schedule of sectional rehearsals in addition to the daily rehearsal of the full ensembles.

BMC's all-student New Music Ensemble presents world-premiere readings of Brevard's composition students. Additional features of BMC's College string program include masterclasses, studio classes, technique and orchestral repertoire classes, mock auditions / audition preparation, and specialized electives and seminars.

Concertmaster Studio

BMC's Concertmaster Studio provides a select group of violin students with the opportunity to study with some of the world's greatest concertmasters. Visit our Concertmaster Studio page for more information.

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College Woodwinds / Brass / Percussion

Woodwind, brass, and percussion students in BMC's College Division work side by side with the artist faculty in the Brevard Music Center Orchestra, the Music Center's flagship ensemble. The orchestra performs important repertoire under its Artistic Director Keith Lockhart and distinguished visiting conductors. Each summer world-renowned soloists appear with the BMC Orchestra.

College Division students also perform in the Brevard Sinfonia, a symphony orchestra that likewise works under the Artistic Director and guests. The weekly schedule for students varies according to repertoire. The BMCO and Brevard Sinfonia maintain a regular schedule of sectional rehearsals in addition to the daily rehearsal of the full ensembles. BMC's all-student New Music Ensemble presents world-premiere readings of Brevard's composition students. 

Additional features of BMC's College program include masterclasses, studio classes, technique and orchestral repertoire classes, clinics on instrument care and repair, mock auditions / audition preparation, and specialized electives and seminars. Woodwind, brass, and percussion players may also participate in large, "conducted" chamber ensembles as well as in standard smaller groups, e.g., brass and woodwind quintets, percussion ensemble.

Notes: Saxophonists apply directly to the Saxophone Institute. Brass players can also apply to our one-week Low Brass Seminar! 

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Tuition and Payment Schedule

Tuition for the seven-week College Orchestral Institute is $9200, less any scholarships received. The tuition fee includes all instruction, housing, meals, on-campus health services, and concert admission. Each participant is responsible for travel to and from Brevard.

A non-refundable enrollment fee of $950 is due within 10 days of acceptance and applies toward the cost of tuition. The remaining tuition balance is due by May 15.

Arrival is on Monday, June 16, 2025 with check-in between 12:00-5:00pm. Departure is anytime on Monday, August 4, 2025. Many students will participate in the Season Finale performance on Sunday, August 3 at 3:00pm. Departure can be that evening after the concert, or anytime Monday.

Flying in? Students can fly in and out of the Asheville, North Carolina airport (AVL). BMC provides an airport shuttle for $15 each way to and from the AVL airport, and shuttle registration is available through MyBMC after enrollment.

Refunds

All payments, except the $65 application fee and $950 enrollment fee, will be fully refunded if the Center receives notice of cancellation due to serious illness before May 15. Written verification from an M.D. is required before a refund can be made. No reduction in fees can be made for late arrival or early departure. No refunds will be made after May 15.

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Scholarships

Brevard Music Center offers scholarship support according to a student's audition and demonstrated financial need, and program need. In recent years, Brevard has provided scholarship support to more than 70% of its students. Scholarship support includes merit, need-based, and the BMC Opportunity Scholarship open to students of Black and Latinx descent.

Please visit the Scholarship section of our FAQ page for more information.

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Teaching Assistants and Resident Assistants

Teaching assistants (TA) and resident assistants (RA) have the same ensemble and performance opportunities as other students. TAs and RAs pay only a non-refundable enrollment fee of $950 which covers tuition, room, and board, and must be 21 or older by the start date of their program.

Teaching Assistant

A limited number of TA positions are available in Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Trumpet, Horn, and Percussion. Duties for teaching assistants may include assisting faculty in classes and sectionals, sitting in on high school orchestra rehearsals, and participating in community outreach events.

Resident Assistant

A limited number of RA positions are available. Brevard's RAs supervise student living quarters and provide guidance to younger students. Two RAs live in each high school residence; one RA lives in each college residence. 

Selected individuals will participate in a telephone interview, and, if chosen, submit to a formal background check and participate fully in the RA orientation sessions prior to student arrival. Note: Resident Assistants must arrive on Monday, June 9 and depart on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

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Audition Requirements

Admission to the Brevard Music Center is determined by audition. 

Accompaniment is optional. Total audition length should not exceed approximately 12 minutes.

Audio or video recordings are accepted for all instruments except percussion (must submit a video audition). Upload audio recordings or link(s) to YouTube video auditions directly into your application. Submissions do not have to be one continuous take; once you add one selection, the option to add another will appear. 

Choose your instrument or program to view specific audition requirements.

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Apply Now

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Additional Information By Instrument

Strings

Violin

Viola

Cello

Double Bass

Harp

Woodwinds

Flute

Oboe

Clarinet

Bassoon

Brass / Percussion

French Horn

Trumpet

Bass Trombone

Tenor Trombone

Tuba

Percussion