If you’re looking to refine your technique, experiment with composition, or explore music technology, a structured music program can help you gain hands-on experience and advanced skills. Whether you’re interested in classical performance, jazz improvisation, electronic production, or music theory, these programs offer specialized training to deepen your knowledge.
Below are 8 music programs for high school students, ranging from pre-college conservatory experiences to research-focused mentorships in music!
1. Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI)
Subject Areas: Classical Performance, Composition, Vocal Performance, Jazz, Harp
Location: Lenox, MA
Eligibility: Students aged 14-20
Application Deadline: January 20
Program Dates: June 22 – August 17 (varies by program)
Cost: $2,630 – $9,490 (depending on program length); financial aid available
BUTI provides an intensive conservatory-style experience for instrumentalists, vocalists, and composers. It offers two-week workshops and three- to six-week Young Artists Programs.
As a participant in the program, you’ll receive individual lessons, participate in ensemble rehearsals, and take academic courses in music theory and history. Composition students will refine orchestration and score analysis skills using software like Finale or Dorico, while instrumentalists and vocalists focus on technical mastery, phrasing, and stage presence. Jazz students work on harmonic extensions, improvisation, and ensemble communication. Masterclasses with faculty from the Boston Symphony Orchestra provide insight into professional-level performance standards.
2. Berklee Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive
Subject Areas: Performance, Songwriting, Music Production, Jazz, Rock, Pop
Location: Boston, MA
Eligibility: Students aged 15+ with at least six months of playing or singing experience
Application Deadline: June 1
Program Dates: July 5 – August 8
Cost: $5,430 (tuition); $4,200 (housing); scholarships available
Berklee’s 5-Week Aspire program replicates an undergraduate music school experience, offering a mix of private instruction, ensemble work, and electives in areas like music production, business, and therapy. You’ll develop technical skills on your principal instrument (or voice) while working on improvisation, sight-reading, and ensemble dynamics.
Core courses include musicianship, music theory, and instrumental labs, with additional training in performance techniques and digital music production using software like Ableton Live. Electives allow you to explore songwriting, jazz composition, and film scoring, while performance opportunities range from open mics to ensemble showcases. If you’re looking for an intensive, hands-on program that blends musicianship with industry-relevant skills, this offers a structured yet flexible learning environment.
3. Interlochen Arts Camp – Music
Subject Areas: Classical, Jazz, Composition, Singer-Songwriter, Film Scoring, Music Production
Location: Interlochen, MI
Eligibility: Students in grades 3-12 (varies by program)
Application Deadline: January 15 (priority), rolling admissions after
Program Dates: Multiple sessions from June 14 – August 3 (varies by program)
Cost: $1,950 – $10,180 (depending on program length); financial aid available
Interlochen Arts Camp offers a range of music programs, from classical performance and jazz improvisation to film scoring and music production. You’ll engage in ensemble rehearsals, private lessons, and masterclasses, refining your technique and interpretation under the guidance of professional musicians. Composition students will develop orchestration skills and work with notation software like Finale or Dorico.
Jazz instrumentalists will focus on improvisation, harmonic extensions, and rhythmic precision, while singer-songwriters will refine lyricism and melodic structure. If you’re interested in production, expect hands-on experience with DAWs like Logic Pro and Pro Tools. With its structured curriculum and performance opportunities, Interlochen provides an intensive yet collaborative setting for serious young musicians.
4. Stanford Jazz Camp
Subject Areas: Jazz Performance, Improvisation, Ensemble Playing
Location: Stanford, CA
Eligibility: Students aged 12-17 with at least 18 months of instruction on an instrument or voice
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: July 13 – 18 or July 20 – 25
Cost: $1,650 (tuition); $1,100 (housing and meals); financial aid available
Stanford Jazz Camp focuses on small ensemble playing, improvisation, and jazz theory, offering a structured yet flexible environment for instrumentalists and vocalists. You’ll work in a combo setting, refining your ability to listen, react, and solo over complex harmonies. Classes cover jazz phrasing, chord-scale relationships, and rhythmic feel, using repertoire from legends like Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, and Alice Coltrane. Daily masterclasses with professional jazz musicians provide insight into stylistic interpretation and performance techniques.
You’ll also complete a music theory assessment to be placed in a group that matches your skill level. The camp culminates in a performance showcase, giving you a chance to apply what you’ve learned in a live setting.
5. Juilliard Summer Music
Subject Areas: Composition, Percussion, Piano, Voice
Location: New York, NY
Eligibility: Students aged 14 – 18 (or spring high school graduates taking a gap year)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Program Dates: July 6 – July 19
Cost: $4,800 (includes tuition and room and board); limited need-based financial aid available
Juilliard Summer Music offers an immersive, conservatory-style experience for students looking to refine their musicianship under the guidance of Juilliard faculty and guest artists. Composition students will focus on score development, instrumentation, and contemporary techniques, working with professional performers to bring their pieces to life. Percussionists will refine technical precision and explore various styles, from orchestral to contemporary chamber music.
Pianists will engage in masterclasses, solo coaching, and ensemble collaboration, with an emphasis on interpretation and technique. Vocalists will develop stage presence, diction, and phrasing through private lessons and ensemble work. The program ends with performances on professional stages, providing real-world experience in an elite musical setting.
6. National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America
Subject Areas: Orchestral Performance, Ensemble Training
Location: Various locations (U.S. residency and international tour)
Eligibility: Students aged 16-19; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Application Deadline: December 3
Program Dates: July 5-August 7
Cost: Free (tuition, housing, and tour expenses covered)
NYO-USA brings together exceptional young musicians from across the U.S. for an intensive orchestral training program and international tour. You’ll participate in a multi-week residency, rehearsing with faculty from top orchestras and preparing repertoire under renowned conductors. The program focuses on advanced ensemble techniques, phrasing, and interpretation, with additional sessions on performance psychology and career development.
Musicians perform in major concert halls worldwide, with past tours including venues in Europe, South America, and Asia. If you’re a serious orchestral player looking for high-level training and international performance experience, NYO-USA offers a rigorous and immersive opportunity.
7. GRAMMY Camp
Subject Areas: Music Production, Songwriting, Music Business, Performance (Instrumental, Vocal, Jazz, Musical Theater), Screen Scoring
Location: Miami, FL; Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY
Eligibility: U.S. residents in grades 9-12
Application Deadline: March 31
Program Dates:
- Miami: June 8-14
- Los Angeles: July 13-19
- New York: July 27-August 2
Cost: $3,000; scholarships available
GRAMMY Camp provides an immersive, industry-focused experience for high school students pursuing careers in music. You’ll choose a career track—such as music production, songwriting, or business—and receive hands-on instruction from professionals, including GRAMMY nominees and winners. Instrumentalists and vocalists refine their performance skills while aspiring producers and composers work with DAWs like Ableton Live and Logic Pro.
Music business students gain insight into artist management and marketing while screen-scoring participants focus on composition for film and media. The camp includes masterclasses, workshops, and collaborative projects, making it a practical training ground for students serious about the music industry.
8. Illinois Chamber Music Festival
Subject Areas: Chamber Music, Strings, Piano, Winds, Harp
Location: Bloomington, IL
Eligibility: High school and college students
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: July 13 – August 1
Cost: $950 (tuition); $930 (room and board); partial session options available
The Illinois Chamber Music Festival offers intensive training in small ensemble performance, focusing on collaborative musicianship and interpretation. You’ll participate in daily rehearsals, private coachings, and masterclasses led by professional musicians. Elective classes in music theory, history, and musical theater supplement the core curriculum, along with interdisciplinary options like international dance and tennis.
The program includes a summer concert series where both faculty and students perform, emphasizing stage presence and ensemble cohesion. With a structured yet flexible approach, this festival provides a focused environment for developing chamber music skills in a supportive setting.
9. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring.
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as music, art, history, culture, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like music, writing, and media, 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 – GRAMMY Museum logo
