Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education

The following information will introduce you to the Kennedy Center/National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) Summer Music Institute. Through an initiative of the NSO National Trustees, young musicians are eligible to apply for a National Trustees' fellowship. This program is an extension of the NSO American Residency. One musician from most states will be selected to participate on scholarship for the 2008 Summer Music Institute, with more than one student chosen from South Carolina, the Orchestra’s 2007-08 Residency state.

Program Description: The Kennedy Center/National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute is a 4-week music summer program at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, for student instrumentalists. The program is designed for serious music students. Each student accepted into the Program attends on full scholarship, which includes the following benefits: round-trip air transportation to and from Washington, DC, housing, food allowance, and local transportation during their stay in our Nation's Capital.

Eligibility: The Program is open, by recorded audition, to students ages 15-20 (as of June 30, 2008) who are seriously considering orchestral music as a career and willing to devote themselves to a musical education.

Instruments: National Trustees' fellowships may be awarded to students who play any of the following: violin, viola, cello, string bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, and harp. (not eligible: guitar, saxophone, percussion and piano)

Standards of Acceptance: The program is intended for serious music students with the primary acceptance standard being musical talent. Ethnic minorities are encouraged to apply.

Deadline for Applications: Materials must be submitted to the Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education (refer to application form) by Friday, February 8, 2008. Students will be notified of the results by March 21, 2008.

Repertoire: On CD, audiocassette, or videotape only, a prepared solo piece not to exceed 20 minutes in length, showing contrasting musical elements (fast/slow, dynamics, etc.). Please no band or orchestra music. Recordings may, but need not, include piano accompaniment. Should there be any doubt as to the appropriateness of the prepared piece, please phone NSO Education Program, at (202) 416-8820.

Obligation of Participants: Seriousness and desire to pursue a musical education are most important. Students selected for a fellowship will be expected to enter into a contractual arrangement with the Kennedy Center/National Symphony Orchestra.

All private lesson fees and performance admittance charges will be paid for by the Kennedy Center/National Symphony Orchestra. Fees for any unexcused absences from lessons must be paid for by the student.

To Apply: Complete the application form and return to the Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education (see application instructions below) before the deadline, Friday, February 8, 2008. (Be sure to enclose one [1] letter of recommendation and your recording.)

To download a copy of the 2008 application form (

pdf version), click here or if you would prefer a

Word version, click here.

The Summer Music Institute is a continuation of the National Symphony Orchestra American Residencies project [South Carolina 2007-08] of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The student fellowships are made possible by the NSO National Trustees.

Tips on Tapes/CDs

These are a few tips that have been compiled by members of the National Symphony Orchestra to help you produce a higher quality recording as you audition for any of the NSO's training programs. We hope these help you as you begin your recording process.

1. If sending a tape or video, be sure to rewind it.

2. In pieces which have a long piano introduction, please make appropriate cuts and include a shortened introduction.

3. Carefully check your recording levels. Be sure that they are neither too high nor too low.

4. Please list the selections that are included on the recording. If a cassette, have this facing out!

5. Label the recording with your name, instrument, state and musical selection(s). Label the case of the recording with your name, instrument, and state.

6. Please start with the music right away--do NOT include a spoken introduction.

7. Try to record on a machine that has minimal wow and flutter, especially clarinet players.

8. Be sure to include both fast and slow selections of music.

9. Placing microphones must be done very carefully. If they are too far away the sound tends to be boomy.

10. DO NOT include scales.

11. Before you send the recording, listen to it, be sure that it is not blank, and that all pieces have been recorded successfully.

KENNEDY CENTER/NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA NATIONAL TRUSTEES' SUMMER MUSIC INSTITUTE

To download a copy of the application form (

pdf version), click here or if you would prefer a

Word version, click here.

Important: Please read carefully and complete all items on the application form. Type or print legibly. Each application must be signed by the applicant and a parent or guardian and must be accompanied by the required recommendation letter and a recording of the student's performance.

    Lola Norris, Executive Director
    Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education
    101 Carrie Road
    Hattiesburg, MS 39402

                   Phone: (601) 268-6996
                   FAX: (601) 296-9929
                   E-mail: Lola.Norris@usm.edu