The Festival
Marrowstone is composed of three divisions of students:
 This division is designed for high school and advanced middle school students ages 13-18 and includes daily orchestra rehearsals and coachings, master-class instruction, the opportunity to participate in chamber music ensembles and recreational activities.
This division is for students ages 18-25 and includes a rigorous and intensive curriculum of orchestral and chamber music rehearsals, master classes and private instruction. College credit is available.
University Division students may also apply to be using the Financial Aid portion of the application. Information regarding Counselor positions is available under Financial Aid.
Advanced collegiate music students 18-25 years old are encouraged to apply for a fellowship. Fellows are accepted by and work directly with a specific faculty mentor. All fellows perform in the Festival Orchestra and in the Fellowship Chamber Orchestra, both of which present concerts each week. Additional opportunities include performing in chamber ensembles and assisting faculty in mentoring younger students. Fellows receive a to attend Marrowstone, including free room and board. Scroll to the bottom of this page for more information on the Fellowship Program.
Piano Program
Student pianists at Marrowstone receive regular studio instruction on solo, orchestral, and chamber music repertory. In addition they also receive daily chamber music coaching from non-pianist Marrowstone faculty, and participate in a piano master class. Pianists will be assigned to play orchestral piano, organ, harpsichord, or celesta parts, and will regularly accompany students in instrumental master classes.
Pianists who are accepted into the Marrowstone program are generally comfortable with a fast-paced, intense learning environment, have excellent sight-reading skills, are comfortable playing in an orchestral ensemble and have some prior chamber music experience.
Student pianists accepted into the Pre-College or University Division may enter and participate in the . Piano Concerto repertoire must be suitable for performance with a 'classical repertoire' size chamber orchestra.
Orchestra Study & Performance
Marrowstone Summer Music Festival provides students with intensive rehearsal and performance opportunities in three orchestras: the Marrowstone Concert Orchestra, the Marrowstone Festival Orchestra and the Marrowstone Fellowship Chamber Orchestra. These orchestras rehearse daily, receive regular sectional coaching sessions from our distinguished faculty, and perform on Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Repertoire for the orchestras consists of a variety of standard and contemporary works from the symphonic literature.
ORCHESTRA PLACEMENT AUDITIONS: All Pre-College, University, and Fellowship Division students are required to audition for orchestral placement on Sunday afternoon, July 24th. Students will be placed in either Concert or Festival orchestras based on instrumentation balance and demonstrated preparation level. Orchestral placement audition material and directions for all instruments will be sent to students after acceptance.
Opportunities to perform in student chamber music ensembles are available to students based on audition. Student chamber music performances are held on Friday evenings.
Marrowstone faculty members present several master classes every weekday over the course of the two week festival. Information on participating in master classes is provided in the student acceptance packet. Each year evening electives and symposiums are offered on a variety of topics, some of which have included: audition preparation, theory, ear-training, composing, and conducting. More information on electives will be available at check-in.
Typical Day Schedule
7:00-8:15- - - -Breakfast
9:30-10:30 Sectionals—Festival Orchestra
9:30-10:30 Full Rehearsal—Concert Orchestra
11:00-12:00 Full Rehearsal—Festival Orchestra
11:00-12:00 Full Rehearsal—Concert Orchestra
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:15-2:50 Fellowship Chamber Orchestra Rehearsal
1:00-3:50 Chamber Music and/or free time
3:00-5:20 Practice Time or Activity Period
4:00-5:20 Master Class
5:30-6:30 Dinner
7:30-9:00 Faculty Chamber Music Concert
9:15-10:45 Activity—Capture the Flag/Movie
11:00 - - - - - - Curfew (students under 18) and Quiet Hours (all students)
Pre-College and University Divison students are encouraged to submit an audition CD for the Marrowstone Concerto Competition. Winner(s) of the Marrowstone Concerto Competition perform with one of the Festival’s three orchestras. Applications and additional requirements for the Concerto Competition are included in the student acceptance packet. Fellowship students are not eligible for the Concerto Competition.
The heart and soul of Marrowstone is our internationally acclaimed faculty; members of the world’s most distinguished symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles, opera companies, and conservatories. These legendary performers and teachers are featured artists on our Thursday evening faculty chamber music series. Students have the opportunity to attend Faculty Chamber Music rehearsals and performances free of charge.
Program details subject to change.
Fellowship Program
Advanced collegiate music students 18-25 years old are encouraged to apply for a fellowship. Fellows are accepted by and work directly with a specific faculty mentor. All fellows perform in the Festival Orchestra and in the Fellowship Chamber Orchestra, both of which present concerts each week. Additional opportunities include performing in chamber ensembles and assisting faculty in mentoring younger students. Fellows receive a to attend Marrowstone, including free room and board.
The Fellowship Chamber Orchestra is Marrowstone’e elite performing ensemble presenting weekly performances featuring concertos from the classical era with distinguished faculty soloists as well as contemporary works for small orchestra.
Fellows receive a full scholarship to attend Marrowstone, including free room and board. Fellows are responsible for their own travel expenses, the initial application fee, and a fully refundable $250 damage deposit.
Program details subject to change.
College Credit
Students may apply for college credit for chamber music, orchestra and elective course work. For additional information regarding college credit contact, please contact the Western Washington University Registrar's Office at (360) 650-3430. |
