June 12 – July 11, 2027
Application Process
The Sewanee Summer Music Festival is pleased to work with www.getacceptd.com for our application process.
Audition recordings will be submitted through the Acceptd portal as part of the application process.
Video Guidelines
All applications should be submitted using a video. Audio-only applications will not be accepted under any circumstances.
Your videos should be of recent performances, no more than one year old.
Please upload the solo video and excerpt video(s) as different files, in accordance with the requirements listed below. Excerpts can be one video, with pauses in between, or separate videos.
Audition Requirements
All applicants – PLEASE REVIEW YOUR AREA AUDITION REQUIREMENTS CAREFULLY.
In addition to the selected excerpts, please upload a solo or selection of solos from a sonata, concerto, or other work that amount to 5-7 minutes which demonstrates your current performance ability. These may be performed with or without piano accompaniment.
Please note: In order to participate in the Jacqueline Avant Concerto Competition, students must submit an entire movement of the concerto they wish to enter with piano accompaniment and a copy of their piano orchestral reduction score.
Application Fees and Deadlines
October 1st, 2026
- All Applications Open !
- $50.00 application fee
February 15th, 2027
- Final Application Deadline for OperaFest
- Final Application Deadline for Jacqueline Avent Concerto Competition (Instrumental)
- Final day for Early Bird application fee
- Priority Acceptance Deadline for Scholarship Match Program
- $50.00 application fee Oct. 1 — Feb. 15
April 1st, 2027
- Final Application Deadline for Instrumental & Composition programs
- $75.00 application fee Feb. 16 — April 1
After April 1st 2027
- Applications after April 1st may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Some studios will be full.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition includes all lessons, coachings, masterclasses, rehearsals, practice and performance space fees, and tickets to all concerts.
Tuition:
INSTRUMENTAL PROGRAM: $4,250
COMPOSITION PROGRAM: $4,250
OPERAFEST / HS VOCAL INSTITUTE: $3,750
PCE (each session) & CARILLON: $2,500
Room & Board:
Instrumental & Composition: $2,600
OperaFest/Vocal: $1,950
Pre-College Experience/Carillon: $1,300
This includes a double occupancy room, three meals per day in the McClurg Dining Hall, and use of campus facilities including the Fowler Athletic Center and duPont Library.
SINGLE ROOM FEE: $520 / $390 / $260 ($130 per week)
Single rooms are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
REFUNDABLE SECURITY DEPOSIT: $125
This fee covers any lost or damaged music, lost keys or access cards, damage to your room, etc. Participants will receive the fee back after the conclusion of the festival minus any incurred fees for the aforementioned infractions.
Payment Plans
Payment plans are available for tuition and fees associated with the Sewanee Summer Music Festival through our Acceptd portal. Once you are moved to the tuition phase, you may pay any amount at any time toward your balance until the balance is $0. The full balance is due by June 1, 2025.
Students who withdraw from the festival before the May 18 deadline will receive a 50% tuition refund, excluding the non-refundable deposit. Refunds will not be granted for any reason if the inquiry is communicated to our office past May 18, 2025.
Reach out to ssmfadmissions@sewanee.edu with any questions.
Financial Aid
Students who would like to be considered for merit-based or need-based awards are encouraged to apply as early as possible to maximize your financial aid from SSMF. Students are also encouraged to explore funding sources in their own communities and through various organizations, corporations, foundations, and businesses. With our new Scholarship Match Program, SSMF will provide matching awards to help further these outside awards. (see below for more information on the Scholarship Match Program).
The financial aid application is included in the Festival Application. Award amounts vary based upon merit and financial need. There are two types of financial support participants can receive from the Sewanee Summer Music Festival: Work-Study Aid based on need and Merit-based Scholarship.
Students can receive both merit-based scholarship and work study aid to attend Sewanee.
If you do not request work-study aid in your application, you will only be considered for merit-based aid.
Photo by David Andrews