Traditional Summer Music Schools
- Located on the campus of Sonoma State University, teen and young adult string players and pianists may apply for this school's Performance Program or Composition Program. Performers will cultivate their musical talents in solo and chamber music performance. In addition to musical growth, these programs encourage socializing with other students and taking cultural field trips. The month-long activities end with three solo concerts and a week-long chamber music festival. As of April 2011, tuition and room and board costs a total of $3,900.
- This six-week program provides students, ages 14 to 25, with a number of classes, including studio performance, chamber music and communication training. Each week, students will have two private lessons and three opportunities to perform, in addition to attending celebrity concert series. Tuition, room and board costs $5,600 as of April 2011. This institute is located in Ellicott City, Maryland.
- Musicians ages 12 to 90 can participate in one of five of Apple Hill's 10-day sessions located in Nelson, New Hampshire, . This program focuses on grouping musicians according to their skill level rather than with their age range. Musicians are put into two or three chamber groups, and are coached for nearly two hours each day. Apple Hill's website states that they "coach, encourage, and applaud all groups equally, from high level ensembles to those with participants who are just starting to play chamber music." Each 10-day session closes with a student concert. As of April 2011, room, board and tuition costs $1,500 for one session and $2,800 for two sessions.
- Garth Newel's Summer Chamber Music Fellowship Program offers pianists and string players ages 18 to 26 years to participate in a four-week intensive musical study. Located in Warm Springs, Virginia, the fellowships are competitive and students receive $2,500, which covers everything except for a $200 registration fee. The fellowship program includes weekly master classes, five ensemble coachings per week, performance opportunities, free admission to summer music festivals and recreational activities.
- About 120 youths and young adults, ages 11 to 22, are selected to participate in this music festival each year, which is located in Oneonta, New York. Students embark on this program to develop their musical talents in theatre, orchestra, composition, choir, chamber music, jazz band and symphonic band. Students perform at the weekend concerts, and these shows are open to the public. The camp sessions last one to three weeks. As of April 2011, tuition, room and board totals $4750 for the three-week program.
- For four weeks, 150 students nationwide attend this month-long festival in Decorah, Iowa. This program is for eighth to 12th graders to study choir, piano, band, orchestra and pipe organ. Students will receive private lessons, placed in small and large ensembles, musicianship class and concerts and recitals. According to the festival's website, "students are encouraged to perform frequently and do so as skillfully, artistically, and professionally as possible." As of April 2011, the fee to attend is 2,995, which includes tuition, room and board, as well as music training, special events and performance opportunities.