Share the Stage With the Stars
Reminder: Student applications must be postmarked by February 2, 2009.
Who?
Students from top music programs at colleges and conservatories are invited to audition and participate in the 45th-annual Sarasota Music Festival. This is an opportunity to work side-by-side with a group of 40 music masters, which comprise the Festival's guest faculty. The Festival receives hundreds of student applications each year for the 85 available slots.
What?
On any given day during the festival, a student may rehearse in a faculty-coached ensemble, play in master classes and perform on stage. Interspersed, are rare opportunities for the public to hear some of classical music's greatest talent and aspiring young stars showcased together. Selected students also receive the opportunity to perform in eight public concerts and play at churches and service organizations throughout the community.
When?
The Sarasota Music Festival is an intense three-week event of chamber music June 1-20, 2009. It is imperative that participants arrive on Sunday, May 31, for the welcome dinner and orientation. Monday morning the Festival begins at 9 a.m. The final Festival concert and reception is Saturday, June 20. A more detailed look at the student and faculty concert schedules can be found here.
Where?
The Sarasota Music Festival is located in Sarasota, FL., on the west coast of the state about 60 miles south of Tampa. We advise participants to fly into the Sarasota/Bradenton airport (SRQ). Students arriving in Sarasota will be greeted at the airport by a festival staff member and volunteer who will take them to festival headquarters, at the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center in Sarasota.
Students arriving in Tampa will need to arrange their own transportation to Sarasota. There is a shuttle service (www.stexps.com), but with limited hours please check the schedule carefully particularly on departing flights.
The Hyatt Sarasota (one block from festival headquarters) provides housing for the full three-week period. The Hyatt is a four-star hotel on the marina with a lagoon-style pool. Cost for the 21 nights is $275 per person, double occupancy. (Each accepted student receives a scholarship that covers more than 60 percent of the actual hotel costs. Students staying extra nights before or after the festival will be charged at the actual rate.) It is not mandatory that you stay at the Hyatt, although it is recommended for your personal comfort and convenience. A festival housing subsidy is available only for those who use the officially designated housing at the Hyatt Sarasota.
Why?
It is a chamber musician's dream come true to have access to the genius of so many world-class artists in one place, at one time. Many of our guest faculty, actually were launching their own careers when they participated in our festival as students. Now they, and other acclaimed musicians, return to their roots as to share their gifts and expertise with today's up-and-coming talent.
How?
All interested participants must submit the attached application with a non-refundable $50 application fee and an audition recording (an unedited CD), postmarked by February 2, 2009. Applications postmarked after this date will incur a non-refundable fee of $75. Please see specific audition requirements with the terms of the recording.
- Students must be age 18 or older by June 1, 2009. Applicants who have not reached their 18th birthday by this date may petition for a special exception.
- Letters of recommendation are not required, but applicants may include an artistic resume, if they wish.
- Upon acceptance as a participant, there is a $175 non-refundable registration fee, $125 housing deposit (due upon acceptance), $150 housing balance (due on arrival) and a $200 meal fee (due on arrival). The total cost of participating in the festival is $650.
- All students are required to purchase the meal ticket for $200 (36 meals/3 weeks) which includes a light breakfast and lunch, Monday-Saturday.
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