Admission to Marrowstone Summer Music is based on musical ability, orchestral balance, and housing availability. Pre-College Division applicants must be between the ages of 13 and 17. University and Fellowship Division applicants and those applying for counselor positions must be between the ages of 18 and 25.  All applicants interested in a fellowship or counselor position must possess at least one year of college or university experience. 

For detailed tuition, financial aid and work study information see our Financial Information page.

*NOTE: String and percussion participants in SYSO's Youth and Junior Orchestras are not required to submit an audition CD, nor are returning Marrowstone string or percussion players. All other documents are required.

How to Apply

[Please check back in October for updated guidelines, process and due date]

1.  Submit an application form:

2010 Application (Click here to download.) If you don't have the software to view pdf files, you can download it for free.

2. Submit 2 copies of an audition CD. See Audition.

3.  Have a private teacher or school music teacher submit a letter of recommendation. 

Recommendations may be sent directly to the Marrowstone office by the recommending teacher, or if enclosed with application materials, please ensure that the teacher has sealed it in an envelope and signed it on the fold. Letters of recommendation may also be emailed directly to Marrowstone@syso.org by the recommending teacher.

Letters of recommendation should:

• clearly indicate the student’s name and instrument
  
• identify the length and depth of the student’s relationship to the teacher
  
• include remarks on both the student’s musicianship and character
  

4.  Include the appropriate application fee and international mailing fee, if applicable. 

Marrowstone 2010 Application fee schedule:

$50 for applications postmarked on or before May 1st, 2010.

$75 for applications postmarked after May 1st, 2010.

Add $40 USD if applying from outside of the United States.

All fees and tuition are payable by check, Visa, or Mastercard. Fees and tuitions paid by credit card will be charged a 4% processing fee. To avoid this additional cost please pay by check.

Credit card payments may be made by calling the Marrowstone office at 206-362-2300.  Make all checks out to Marrowstone Music Festival.

**NOTE: Applications postmarked after May 1st, 2010 will be considered on a space available basis only. After this date, please contact our office to see if spots are still available for your instrument. Due to the limited number of spots, brass and woodwind spots fill up quickly. String and percussion spots are usually available through June.

5.  Mail materials to:

Marrowstone Summer Music Festival
c/o Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras
11065 – 5th Ave NE, Suite A
Seattle, WA 98125

Audition

*NOTE: String and percussion participants in SYSO's Youth and Junior Orchestras are not required to submit a CD, nor are returning Marrowstone string or percussion players.

Strings - Include one major and one minor scale of three octaves each and two-minute excerpts from two contrasting solo works, one fast and one slow.

Woodwinds & Brass - Include one major and one minor scale of two octaves each, one tongued and one slurred, plus two-minute excerpts from two contrasting solo works, one fast and one slow.

All Percussion - Include no more than a two-minute excerpt on each of the following: xylophone, snare drum, and timpani.

Piano & Harp - Include two pieces of contrasting styles that demonstrate level of proficiency.

Please observe the following Audition CD guidelines carefully:

• Audition CDs must be recorded on an audio CD-R and must be compatible with North American playback equipment.  Please, no cassette tapes, video/DVD CDs or other formats.
• Don't send the original. More copies may be needed or they may be lost in the mail.
• Send two copies with your application.
• The recording should have a case and be well marked with your full name and instrument on the CD itself.
• Recordings should not exceed 8 minutes in duration.
• Recordings should be unaccompanied if possible. 

Tips for recording your CD

• Use an inexpensive external microphone (i.e. from Radioshack) and plug it in to the microphone jack on the back of your computer.
• You may need to adjust the sound options on your computer before you record.  Make sure that the microphone is selected as the primary recording device, and that the recording volume is adjusted.
• Most computers come with simple recording software that records files in .WAV or .mp3 format.  Record the audition requirements for your instrument and save the file on your computer.
• The CD burner software on your computer should be able to convert your .WAV or .mp3 file directly into an audio track on a blank CD-R disc. 
• If you need help making your CD or you do not own the technology, ask your private teacher, school music teacher or a friend to assist you.