Every summer, thousands of young musicians step onto campuses and into rehearsal halls across America, participating in music camps that range from short-term intensives to multi-week, pre-professional training grounds. For serious high school musicians, few experiences offer a greater competitive edge than extended-week music camps.

On-Campus Camps: A First Look

One- and two-week music camps are widely offered by colleges and universities, providing enrichment through ensemble rehearsals, private lessons, and theory classes. These camps usually do not require auditions for acceptance and serve as important recruiting tools for host institutions. Students are often taught by the same professors they might encounter during the academic year, providing a glimpse into campus life and music programs.

While these camps offer valuable exposure, they primarily introduce students to a collegiate environment and basic expectations of music study.

Extended-Week Camps: A Deeper Dive

For students seeking a more intensive and transformative experience, extended-week music camps provide a different level of training. Programs such as Brevard Music Center, Interlochen Arts Camp, Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Aspen Music Festival and School, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Idyllwild Arts Summer Program, The Walden School, Summer Performing Arts with Juilliard, Meadowmount School of Music, Music@Menlo, National Repertory Orchestra Summer Music Festival, Eastern Music Festival, and Green Mountain Summer Music Festival (*) span three to seven weeks. These programs often require a competitive audition — either live or via video — and admit students based on musical excellence.

Students train under faculty drawn from top conservatories and professional performing organizations. Private lessons, rigorous ensemble rehearsals, chamber music opportunities, theory classes, and master classes fill the schedule. Daily competition for placement, solos, and leadership positions mirrors the demands of collegiate and professional life, cultivating discipline, resilience, and artistry.

Extended-week camps tell the faculty and directors of major collegiate programs that you are college-ready and capable of standing up to the rigors of demanding programs. Acceptance into these camps is competitive, requiring you to earn your spot against top student musicians from across the United States and, in many cases, international students who audition.

Extended camps create a culture where students are challenged to "sink or swim," adapting quickly to the intense demands of high-level music-making. The experience serves as a proving ground, helping students gauge their readiness for college-level study and life as a serious musician.

(* This list is not exhaustive — many other outstanding programs exist.)

Why Extended Camps Give You an Edge

Attendance at these programs offers powerful advantages:

• Audition Practice: Students must apply and audition for their spot, learning to navigate the same performance and interview processes required by college music programs.
• Collegiate Culture: Campers adapt to an environment that closely parallels the rigors of collegiate music life.
• Recruiter Access: College fairs and faculty connections give students early access to decision-makers at top music schools.
• Networking: Relationships with faculty and peers from across the country build networks that last into collegiate and professional careers.

Scholarships and Financial Assistance

While tuition for extended-week camps can range from $5,000 to over $9,000, families should know that scholarships are widely available. Here's what the numbers say:

• Brevard Music Center: Over 90% of students receive some scholarship assistance.
• Interlochen Arts Camp: More than 50% of students receive merit- or need-based aid.
• Aspen Music Festival and School: Over half of attendees receive fellowship support.
• Idyllwild Arts Summer Program: Approximately 60% of students receive financial assistance.

Local music clubs, arts foundations, and even school district grants also provide funding for outstanding student musicians. It's common for top students to piece together multiple scholarships to cover most, if not all, of their camp costs.

Tip for Families: Start early. Reach out to camps and local arts organizations well ahead of deadlines to maximize scholarship opportunities.

Scott’s Story: A Life-Changing Summer at Brevard

Scott, a sophomore All-State clarinetist from Florida, had limited musical training beyond marching band and concert band. Before his junior year, he won a scholarship from the West Coast Music Club to attend the Brevard Music Center Summer Institute.

Arriving on campus, Scott had his first real exposure to music theory — and discovered he excelled at it. He performed in the Wind Ensemble, the Concert Orchestra, and took two private lessons weekly. His musicianship soared.

Midway through the summer, Scott was selected for a prestigious Master Class Recital. Impressed by his rapid progress and performance, a faculty member — an Eastman School of Music alumnus — personally recommended him to an Eastman recruiter. At Brevard’s College Fair, Scott performed privately for the recruiter, who maintained contact throughout his junior year.

Scott’s momentum continued: first-chair clarinet in Florida’s All-State Band, another summer at Brevard, and participation in the Eastman Wind Ensemble Week. In the early fall of his senior year, Scott auditioned for Eastman — and by Thanksgiving, he had been accepted with a 70% scholarship. He later secured an additional 20% scholarship from the West Coast Music Club, leaving only a small tuition balance for his family.

Today, Scott performs in one of the U.S. military’s top bands and tours as a soloist with orchestras nationwide. He credits his life-changing opportunities and career trajectory to that first summer at Brevard Music Center.

A Worthwhile Investment

Extended-week music camps are more than summer enrichment; they are gateways to collegiate and professional success. With renowned instruction, rigorous training, and unparalleled networking opportunities, these camps provide serious young musicians with the tools to transform their futures. Admission to these camps is highly competitive, with students vying for limited spots against top musicians from across the country and around the world. Securing a place is a testament to a student’s skill, commitment, and readiness for the next level.

Scholarships and financial assistance make these opportunities accessible to many families, ensuring that talent — not just finances — opens doors.

In the world of competitive music admissions, extended-week music camps are your advantage. Take the leap and unlock your potential — your future starts here.