Festival costs listed here apply to our four-week instrumental program.

OperaFest Sewanee, Conducting Institute, Composition Program, and supplemental programming costs are listed on the program pages.

TUITION:
$3,175—This includes ensembles, lessons, music, coaching, chamber music, master classes, etc.

ROOM & BOARD:
$1,950—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:
$350—Single rooms are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Payment Plans

Payment plans are available for tuition and fees associated with the Sewanee Summer Music Festival through our Acceptd. 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, 2022.

Reach out to ssmfadmissions@sewanee.edu with any questions.

Financial Aid

Over 60% of our festival participants receive some kind of financial aid to attend the Sewanee Summer Music Festival.

Generous endowment support allows us to offer assistance to students based on merit and financial need. Students wishing consideration for merit-based or need-based awards are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Students are also encouraged to explore funding sources in their own communities and through various organizations, corporations, foundations, and businesses.

The financial aid application is included in the Festival Application. Award amounts range based upon merit and financial need. There are two types of financial support participants can receive from the Sewanee Summer Music Festival: Need-based Financial Aid and Merit-based Scholarship.
Students can receive both merit-based scholarship and need-based / work study aid to attend Sewanee.

If you do not request need-based financial aid in your application, you will only be considered for merit-based aid.

Merit-Based Scholarships

Are awarded to any highly qualified participant, based on the quality of your performance application, previous performance experiences, and references. All students are considered for merit-based scholarships. Merit awards are not based on student or family financial need.

We encourage you to complete your application EARLY to be considered for maximum funding.

Need-Based Financial Aid / Work Study

To be considered for need based work study, you must complete the financial aid portion of the online application. Work study students will be expected to complete a set number of hours each week in a variety of tasks based on their experience and skills. These positions could include work in the office, front of house, library or production/stage crew and will not interfere with rehearsals, lessons, performances, masterclasses, or any other scheduled event.

Alumni tuition credit

All summer festival alumni who are successfully readmitted to SSC for the 2022 season will be automatically awarded a $750 tuition credit, in addition to any other types of scholarship or work-study you are awarded. 

Orchestral Fellowship Program

Orchestral fellows of the Sewanee summer music festival will serve leading roles performing in chamber groups and in the Sewanee Symphony. Additional responsibility’s may include running sectionals, coaching younger chamber groups, coordinating with the orchestra library, and serving as a mentor for our younger musicians at the festival

Fellows will also be asked to engage with our patrons and supporters.

While there is no set age limit for fellows, the ideal fellowship candidate will be nearing the end of their undergraduate training, or in a graduate program. They will have strong chamber music and orchestral experience and understand what is means to lead a section, communicate with orchestral administration, conductors and the sections they will lead.

OperaFest Fellowship Program

Fellow Artists are advanced artists who are predominantly early in their career, current graduate students, or exceptional young artists pursuing professional training opportunities. OperaFest provides Fellow Artists with hands-on career development experiences, including coaching and performing of aria packages, opera scenes, and chamber music, as well as aria performances with orchestra and professional industry auditions. Fellow Artists will receive additional training in audition techniques and classes in language/diction, acting, and professional development classes.

Up to five Fellows will be on partial or full scholarship and will be asked to engage with our patrons and supporters.