FAQ

Q: When do we arrive and leave the festival?

A: Check in for the instrumental program is June 13th starting @ 9am. Check out for the festival is after the concerts (~5pm) on Sunday July 12th. If you need to stay later due to flight scheduling etc… you can stay in the dorm until Monday July 13th @ 9am. A late departure fee will have to be charged if you leave on Monday.

Q: Do pre-college students have a curfew?

A: Yes, all pre-college students have a curfew during the duration of the festival. This will be established in residence life meetings at the start of SSMF.

Q: Will I get to select my roommate?

A: Every accommodation will be made to match roommate requests.  Both parties need to request to room with the other, and parents must approve as well for participants under the age of 18.

Q: Are pre-college and college students housed in the same dorms?

A: No, students under 18 are in a different residence hall from students 18 and above.

Q: Are pre-college and college students allowed to socialize together?  

A: During normal operating hours of the festival, pre-college and college students will interact.  However, pre-college students are not allowed into the residence halls of college students, and college students are not allowed into the residence halls of pre-college students, at any time, for any reason during the duration of SSMF.

Q: What are the Alcohol and Drug policies of the University?

A: Rules Governing Alcohol – The University prohibits the unlawful use, possession, and distribution of alcoholic beverages. Under Tennessee law, it is unlawful for any person under the age of 21 to buy, possess, transport, or consume alcoholic beverages, including beer and wine. It is also unlawful for a person over 21 to buy or furnish alcoholic beverages for anyone under 21. Any student who violates state law or the University’s alcohol policies is subject both to the jurisdiction of local law enforcement officials and the discipline system of the University.

Please review the University’s drug policy HERE

Q: Will the residence life staff wake me up in the morning?

A: No, participants are responsible for waking themselves up and being on time to rehearsals. 

Q: Will the residence life staff make sure I eat breakfast and lunch?

A: No, you need to do that on your own. Meal times are built into your daily schedule. 

Q: Will the residence life staff walk me to my dorm at night?

A: Every reasonable effort will be made to ensure your safety at all times. If you feel that you need someone on the team to escort you back to your residence hall, please feel free to ask.  

Q: I am having trouble with my roommate, who should I talk to?

A: You should bring the issue to the attention of your proctor, then one of the co-directors of residence life. Address problems quickly, don’t let them linger. Most situations can be dealt with easily with just a little communication.

Q: Is Sewanee a camp or a festival?  

A: Sewanee is a long-running internationally renowned summer music festival for serious young musicians. Participants come here, primarily, to study their instruments in the context of orchestral and chamber music. There will also be ample time for rest, relaxation and fun – but this is not a summer camp. We look forward to welcoming you to our campus this summer!

Q: Which is the right program for me – the Instrumental Performance or the Pre-College Experience?

a: There are several factors to consider when determining which program is right for you:

Age

The SSMF Pre-College Experience is open to students ages 14-17 in the areas of voice and strings only for 2026.  

The SSMF Instrumental Performance Program is open to students from age 14-28.

Musical Intensity

The full, four week SSMF Instrumental PerformanceProgram is an intensive performance program.  This program is intended for students who are wanting to immerse themselves in music for four weeks with plentiful performance opportunities.  Students in this program can range in age from 14-28, but all share a desire to prioritize their musical skills in the summer.

The SSMF Pre-College Experience is for students who want a more well rounded summer experience and perhaps explore possibilities for their collegiate studies.  Students in this program will be given daily training in the standardized test of their choice (ACT/SAT), as well as have the opportunity to get a taste of different possible collegiate courses of study.