Students

Admission

UPDATE: West Branch International Music Festival will not include an academy for 2011, due to the need for additional financial support and scholarship assistance to our gifted young artists.  Pending additional fundraising benefits and underwriting, we hope to welcome these gifted students back in 2012.

Enrollment is open to violin, viola, cello, bass, piano, and voice students, with a maximum of 40 students accepted for the 2011 session. Students are chosen through a thorough review of a submitted online application and a YouTube audition recording of two contrasting pieces demonstrating an advanced technical and artistic level. For example, a violinist may prepare a movement of a romantic concerto and a fugue by J.S. Bach or a solo sonata of Ysaye. We will also accept movements of sonatas instead of a concerto, if the contrasting work is from the virtuoso repertoire, eg. Wieniawski, Vieuxtemps, Paganini, Ysaye, or Sarasate. Refer to Recording Tips for further instructions.

Applications may be completed online only. Auditions must be posted on YouTube with the title “West Branch International Festival and Academy 2011 Audition / (Applicant name and instrument)”. The URL should be copied and pasted to the appropriate field on the online application form. WBIMFA will not accept hard copy DVD’s mailed to our address. You must post your video on YouTube.

The application fee of $50 is required for all applicants and may be paid via Google Checkout (during the online application process).  You may mail your $50 application fee, but it must be in the form of a cashier’s check or money order in U.S. Dollars. Our address is:

West Branch International Music Festival & Academy
PO Box 126637
Harrisburg, PA 17112

Age Range

The Academy accepts students ages 14 to 30.

Tuition

Tuition, which includes room and board,  for the 2011 Summer session is $2,600. All students accepted to the program are required to pay a $400 deposit. Applicants will be notified of acceptance by March 25, 2011. Accepted applicants’ $400 tuition deposit will be due on or before April 15, 2011. Scholarship recipients will be notified of tuition assistance amounts by May 1, 2010. The last day to withdraw from the program (without penalty) is May 15, 2010. If accepted applicant withdraws after May 15, 2010, he/she will forfeit the $400 deposit.

Tuition for passive Participants (non-students such as accompanying parents) is $1,300. In rare cases, students aged 12-13 may be accepted if accompanied by a parent for the duration of the program.

Scholarship Assistance

The Else Borges Foundation for Arts Initiatives is currently raising scholarship assistance funds for 2011 attendees.

Scandinavian students should refer to our list of various Danish and Scandinavian foundations which may be applied to for travel and tuition grants.

  • See Photos, Video & More from Previous Seasons

  • Testimonials

    “"The idyllic setting and the communal spirit of the West Branch Music Festival fostered some of the richest musical collaborations I have experienced- both between performers and between teachers and students.  Each participant at West Branch was generous with his time and energy above and beyond expectation to make the festival a stunning success.  In addition to being absolutely first rate musically, West Branch is a place where players of all ages, both faculty and students, share their knowledge, life experiences, insights, and joys generously. It is truly a magical place.   I was amazed by how smoothly the festival operated, especially considering that it was the first year students attended. Students and faculty were given a very manageable though intense schedule, which they eagerly supplemented with extra rehearsals and lessons and lots of practice.  In such a context, each participant was able to fulfill their highest potential and enjoy making new friends without feeling overtaxed."  ”

    —Jennifer Devore, Faculty/artist (cello)