If you are a high school student with a strong interest in music and the performing arts, enrolling in one of the music summer programs is a solid opportunity! These programs provide structured training in areas like composition, performance, music production, and sound engineering.
Whether you are interested in classical, jazz, contemporary, or electronic music, these programs offer a focused environment to improve your craft. You will work with digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Ableton Live or Logic Pro for music production, explore MIDI sequencing and electronic sound design, or study scoring techniques for film and media.
Here is a list of 7 music summer programs for high school students to consider!
7 Music Summer Programs for High School Students
1. Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra
Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra is a free program that provides you with the opportunity to train with expert faculty and tour internationally. You will receive sectional training, participate in rehearsals, and gain performance experience in concert halls worldwide.
The program focuses on improving your skills in ensemble playing, technique, and interpretation. You will work with well-known conductors and musicians, and gain hands-on experience in rehearsals and performances. This year, the orchestra will tour Asia, and you will have the opportunity to perform with conductor Gianandrea Noseda and violinist Ray Chen.
Cost: Fully funded
Program dates: July 5 -August 7
Application Deadline: December 3
Location: Various
Eligibility: Students must be between the ages of 16 and 19
2. The Brevard Music Center Summer Institute – High School Division
The Brevard Music Center Summer Institute offers students the opportunity to engage in orchestral, choral, and solo performances. You will take weekly private lessons from Brevard’s faculty, attend classes in music theory and literature, and have opportunities for solo and chamber music performances.
The program also includes studio classes, masterclasses, open rehearsals with concert soloists, and live concerts. There are many areas of study available, including orchestral studies, piano, jazz, composition, saxophone, voice, and musical theater.
Cost: Variable, dependent on the chosen program.
Program Dates: Variable, depending on the specific program.
Application Deadline: March 15
Location: Brevard, NC
Eligibility: Open to students who are at least 14 years old by the start date of their program and have not yet completed one year as a full-time college student.
3. The GRAMMY Camp
GRAMMY Camp is a seven-day program for high school students interested in music production, songwriting, audio engineering, music business, and vocal or instrumental performance. You will be taught by professional musicians, producers, and GRAMMY nominees and winners. You can choose from various career tracks, including electronic music audio production, music business, songwriting, vocal performance, musical theater, and more.
Cost: Variable
Program Dates: Variable, dependent on location
Application Deadline: March 31
Location: Miami (Art House Studios), Los Angeles (Evergreen Enterprise Experience), New York (Engine Room Audio).
Eligibility: Students must be a U.S. resident currently enrolled in grades 9-12
4. National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute
The National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute is a tuition-free program focused on providing high-level technical training and performance opportunities. You will receive private lessons from a member of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), attend masterclasses and seminars, and engage in orchestra rehearsals with the NSO. You will also have opportunities to refine your sight-reading, ensemble playing, and interpretation skills, and perform in the DC area.
Cost: Fully funded. Note that round-trip transportation to and from Washington, D.C., and food costs are not included.
Program Dates: June 23 – July 21
Application Deadline: January 20
Location: Washington, D.C.
Eligibility: Open to students aged 15–20 who are considering music as a career.
5. Morse Summer Music Academy
The Morse Summer Music Academy, sponsored by Yale University, is a month-long, free music program for students entering grades 5-11 in the New Haven area. You will participate in chamber and larger ensemble performances, receive instruction in music theory, and learn the basics of composition.
The program focuses on skills like sight-reading, ensemble coordination, and interpreting music in different group settings. You will also have the opportunity to improve your technical abilities on your instrument, strengthen your understanding of music theory, and practice composing music.
Cost: Fully funded. Note that transportation and food costs are not included.
Program Dates: June 24 – July 19
Application Deadline: May 15 (tentative, based on last year’s deadline)
Location: Yale School of Music, New Haven, Connecticut.
Eligibility: Students must be enrolled in New Haven Public Schools, in good academic standing, part of their school’s music program, have a music teacher’s recommendation, follow Yale’s health policies, and attend the entire academy.
6. Boston University Tanglewood Institute
The Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI) offers high school instrumentalists, singers, and composers the opportunity to improve their technical and performance skills through intensive training. The program includes two-week workshops focused on technique and musicianship for orchestral and wind ensemble instruments.
You’ll receive professional coaching, attend masterclasses, and take part in ensemble performances. The curriculum also covers sight-reading, interpretation, and collaborative performance, with extra training in private lessons and faculty-led rehearsals.
Cost: Tuition varies by program; financial aid and scholarships are available.
Program Dates: June 22 – August 17
Application Deadline: January 20
Location: Lenox, Massachusetts
Eligibility: Students must be between the ages of 14 and 20 during the summer of their participation.
7. Stanford Jazz Workshop – Jazz Camp
The Stanford Jazz Workshop is designed for high school students who want to enhance their jazz performance and improvisation skills. You will receive one-on-one instruction from professional jazz musicians, focusing on improvisation, ensemble playing, and music theory.
You’ll have the chance to perform in small groups, attend masterclasses with renowned jazz artists, and participate in jam sessions to practice improvisation. You will also enjoy live performances at the Stanford Jazz Festival and explore the campus, all while learning from world-class faculty and musicians.
Cost: $1,650, with scholarships available
Program Dates: July 13 – 18, July 20 – 25
Application Deadline: April 1 (tentative, based on last year’s deadline)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA.
Eligibility: The Jazz Camp is for high school vocalists and instrumentalists aged 17 and under, and for current middle school students aged 12 and up. Students must have at least 18 months of instruction for their instrument or voice.
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like music, culture, art, and histroy, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs!
This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from.
You can find the application link here!
Image source – The Brevard Music Center Summer Institute logo
