Please read this entire page for instructions on how to apply before continuing on to the online application.
Institute Dates: June 28 鈥� July 12, 2025
Application Review: Application review begins March 16. Applicants who complete the application and audition process by the deadline will be notified of their acceptance on or before the first week in April. Applications will still be accepted until the program is filled, and applicants will be notified as soon as possible of their acceptance. Updates on closed instruments will be noted here as the program becomes enrolled.
Scholarship Requests: All scholarship requests must be submitted with the program application and preference will be given to requests submitted by March 16.
Eligibility: Young musicians, who are 15 or older and ability level ranges from intermediate to advanced (pre-professional) should prepare the following materials for the online application:
- A $60 application fee
- Video is preferred, but audio only will also be accepted. Links to YouTube, Google Drive, or DropBox videos are preferred. Please make sure sharing permissions are set for anyone with the link to view. Digital recording files will also be accepted.
- A brief written description of your musical background (ie: all-state ensembles, other select ensembles, awards you may have received)
- Contact information for a current or former teacher (phone number and e-mail address). The option to upload a letter of recommendation will also be provided.
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A copy of your current transcript if you are a non-matriculated student applying for college credit.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please make sure you have your documents ready and in the correct format prior to starting the online application process. Once you start your application, you will need to complete it in its entirety. The system will not allow you to make changes once the application has been submitted. If you close the browser you will lose all of your information. Your application will time out after 20 minutes.
Uploads should be in the following format and be no larger than 500MB each.
Audio/Video: AIF;M4A;MID;MP3;MPA;WAV;WMA;AVI;MOV;MP4;MPG;WMV
Document: .DOC; .DOCX; .PDF; .TXT
Notes for audition recording: Applicants may perform with prerecorded rhythm tracks as an accompaniment to the tunes. A live performance that clearly demonstrates your abilities is also acceptable. Recordings are not judged on the basis of their recorded quality. We realize that access to recording equipment will vary with each applicant, but we do ask that you try to produce the best recording possible.
Audition recordings must include two different styles of jazz performance, for example swing and ballad, and be no longer than 15 minutes in length. For each tune you should play the melody in its entirety, followed by an improvised chorus. (For drummers, an improvised chorus is not required.) Up to three files may be uploaded. Recordings should be unedited, cued to proper starting point and files must be labeled with your full name and item description.
Bass Players only: In addition to the previously listed materials, please include a walking bass line over two choruses of blues changes, quarter note = 120. Bass players must perform on acoustic bass. One additional file may be uploaded to the application.
Drummers only: In addition to the previously listed materials, your recording should include the
following. One additional file may be uploaded to the application. You may choose to substitute the ballad with any other contrasting style. A solo is
not required for the contrasting selection.
Medium swing (sticks), quarter note = 132
Up tempo swing (sticks), quarter note = 244
Up-tempo swing (brushes), quarter note = 244
Latin (sticks), half note = 120
Ballad (sticks), quarter note = 60
Ballad (brushes), quarter note = 60
Rock or funk (sticks), quarter note = 92
International Students:
In accordance with U.S. Federal regulations, all non-U.S. Citizens must have a student
visa to study in the United States. You may not attend Skidmore on a tourist visa.
If you are an international student applying to the summer program please view International Student Visa Info.