Signature Opportunities
At SSMF, students grow not only as musicians, but as individuals and collaborators. In addition to intensive training, the Festival offers a range of distinctive opportunities designed to expand learning and elevate the student experience. From personalized life coaching that supports personal and professional growth, to high-profile performance opportunities like the Concerto Competition, to immersive collaborations in the Chamber Music Intensive, these programs give students the tools and experiences that set SSMF apart.
Life Coaching
Students receive access to professional life coaching, designed to help them set goals, manage challenges, and build confidence both on and off the stage. These personalized sessions empower musicians to approach their careers and lives with clarity and resilience.
Honors Chamber Music Institute
The Honors Chamber Music Institute offers an immersive environment for small-ensemble collaboration. Students work closely with faculty mentors, refine their ensemble skills, and perform in dedicated concerts, gaining invaluable experience in the art of chamber performance.
Concerto Competition
Festival participants may audition for the opportunity to perform as a soloist with the Festival Orchestra. This prestigious competition highlights outstanding talent and gives students the chance to showcase their artistry in a professional concert setting.
Concerto Lab
Sewanee concerto lab is designed for students to have real world, hands-on experiences performing standard repertoire concertos with an orchestra under the baton of professional conductors and mentored by SSMF faculty. Each year, six concertos will be selected to be studied in Concerto Lab. Every student who arrives at SSMF ready to play that concerto will be given the opportunity to do so.
Together, these experiences make SSMF more than just a summer festival — they make it a place where musicians grow, take bold steps, and discover their full potential. From the practice room to the concert stage, and in every moment in between, you’ll find opportunities that inspire, challenge, and prepare you for what comes next.