Summer Camps and Festivals for Bassoonists

Dates and Tuitions are approximate and subject to change. 

Need and merit-based financial aid is available in most cases. 

Bassoonists are often in demand, so it never hurts to inquire about admission or scholarships, even if deadlines have passed

Name

Location

Ages

Dates

Tuition

Application deadline

Notes

Aspen Music Festival

Aspen, CO

10-37 (avg is 22)

June 19 – August 18. Half sessions as well

6-9k, financial aid availible

Early January 

One of the largest and most recognized music festivals in the USA

Atlantic Music Festival

Waterville, ME

?

June 30- July 28 (Half-half sessions availible)

$0-4225

Dec 15 (priority) Jan  21

Offers  fellowship program with free tuition

Bocal Majority

CA, IL, OH, TX, and VA. . .  

Various programs for all ages

Offers commuter workshops and 1 week camps throughout the summer

$350-850

Unclear, I’ve heard Mid-march

Experience and quality of faculty varies greatly by location. 

Brevard Music Center

Brevard, NC

18-29

June 16-Aug 4 (half session available)

$7,200 Full session $3950 half session

Feb 4

William Ludwig, who was my teacher at Sewanee, is incredible. I’ve heard great things about Sue Barber as well.

Cazadero 

Cazadero, CA

grades 5-12

1-2 week programs depending on age

$735-1835

Early app discount by Dec 31. Open until slots filled (pretty late most likely for bassoonists). 

Though not the most rigorous, this camp is very popular among Bay Area students and teachers. 

Chautauqua

Chautauqua, NY

18-28 (with some exceptions)

June 22-Aug 13

FREE (room and board not included unless offered scholarship)

Feb 1

Unclear scholarship info on current website. 

Eastern Music Festival

Greensboro, NC

14-22

June 22-July 27th

$5700.00

January 1st (discounted), February 18 (regular)

George Sakakeeny (Eastman) and Karla Ekholm on faculty.

Festival Napa Valley

Napa, CA

18-36

July 5- July 21

FREE

January 15 (early bird) March 1st (regular)

 

Glickman Popkin Bassoon Camp

Winston-Salem, NC

All (under 18 needs to bring parent/guardian)

May 27-June 6

$825.00

Ongoing until full

Perhaps the oldest and most renown bassoon camp, features incredible guest artists and on-site repairs.  

Hot Springs Music Festival

Hot Springs, AK

18+

June 2nd-15th

$750 for room and board

March 25

 

Idyllwild Arts

Idyllwild, CA

12-18

offers a couple 2- week programs

$3,170.00

Priority deadline is January 15, open until full

Offers summer programs in various performing and visual arts.

Interlochen Center for the Arts

Interlochecn, MI

grades 6-12

varies by program 

varies by program

Priority deadline is Feb 1

Perhaps the most well-known summer camp for middle and high school performing arts. Offers orchestral as well as bassoon-intensive camps. 

Kent Blossom Music Festival

Kent, OH

advanced high school and college

June 30-Aug 4

$2,100 (not including meals)

Feb 28

Well known with highly respected faculty, including Barrick Stees.

Le Domain Forget

Saint-Irénée, Québec Canada

High school-college?

1-2 week programs for chamber music, orchestra, and bassoon specialty. 

Varies by program

Feb 15

Very well known faculty and program. 

Miami International Music Festival

Miami, FL

unclear

June 28-July 19

$2650 (full and partial scholarships available)

Feb 15 for Video, various dates for live audition tour

Rather new program, may be in greater need for bassoonists

Music Academy of the West

Montecito, CA

18-34

June 17-August 10

FREE

Jan 15 for live audition, Feb 15 recorded

Very selective and famous program and alumni, Ben Kamins and Dennis Michael on faculty!

Music House International

Bryn Mawr,PA

college students and Young Professional

June 12th-28th

$3,500.00

Oct 15- whenever slots filled

Faculty are members of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Part of Philadelphia International Music Festival

National Orchestral Institute

College Park, MD

18-28

May 30- June 30

FREE tution, room and board varies

Feb 20

Excellent faculty includes, Frank Morelli, Chris Millard, and Sue Heinemen

National Repertory Orchestra

Breckenridge, Colorado

18-29

June 2-July 28

FREE

Feb 18 for recorded, live auction tour as well

Prestigious and intensive  summer orchestra (no private lessons)

National Symphony Summer Institute

Washinton, D.C.

15-20

July 1st-29th

FREE

January 22

Plays and rehearses alongside the National Symphony at the Kennedy center! 

National Youth Orchestra

Purchase, NY + International tour

16-19

5 weeks, June-August

FREE

Nov 15

Not open to college students already enrolled in music major. 

Philadelphia International Music Festival

Bryn Mawr, PA

11-19

Various 1 and 2 week programs

various by program $1,800-$3050

Dec-31 through whenever slots are filled

Faculty are members of the Philadelphia Orchestra, auditions are not required for some programs

Round Top Music Festival

Round Top, TX

18+

June 2-July 14

$950 (room and board, tuition is Free)

Feb 25th

Excellent faculty and reputation, includes Kristen Wolfe Jensen and Drew Pattison

Sarasota Music Festival

Sarasota, Fl

18+

June 2nd-23rd

$780.00

Feb 15

Highly selective and well known for chamber music focus

Sewanee Music Festival

Sewanee, TN

High school-college

June 15-July 14

$4,925.00

Feb 1 (discounted application) or March 14

I went here when I was in high school and loved it. 

Taneycomo Music Festival

Branson, MO

18-30

June 17-July 1

FREE

Open until filled

Similar to NRO, orchestra and chamber music, no private instruction

Texas Music Festival

Houston, TX 

18-30

May 31-June 29

FREE

Jan 17th (with live audition tour schedule)

Similar to NRO, no private instruction. 

The National Music Festival

Chestertown, MD

18+ with some exceptions

June 2nd-15th

FREE (meals not included)

unclear, I’ve heard Mid-march

Also offers a “newbassoon” program for contemporary bassoon music, how cool is that?!

VSO Orchestral Institute

Vancouver, Canada

15-25

June 24-July5

$1200.00

March 3

Similar to National Symphony Summer Institute, plays alongside Vancouver Symphony

Yellow Barn Music Festival

Putney, VT 

13-20

June 6th-29th

$2,750.00

Live Audition tour late Jan-Feb

Well known for chamber music.