Requirements

1. Must be born before December 31, 2005.
2. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required for all students for the 2023 festival.
3. No absences are permitted during the six weeks of the Festival.
4. View Orientation and Policies.

Process

1. Fill out the online application. Deadline for application, including video audition, is Monday, February 6, 2023 at 11:59 pm (CST). Pay the application fee. Once application has been received and application fee paid you can upload your recorded video audition. 
2. Two recommendations should be submitted and received in Round Top no later than February 20, 2023. Please use the automated Recommendation request found in your student account. However, if your recommender does not receive the email request, he/she should email their recommendation directly to Joseph Woodward (josephw@festivalhill.org).
3. Once audition has been reviewed by Round Top faculty you will receive an acceptance or rejection by email.
4. Upon acceptance, the registration fee is due no later than Monday, March 27, 2023 in order to secure your position.
5. The room and board fee is due no later than Sunday, June 4, 2023.

Costs

1. Tuition: $0 (All accepted participants are granted a full scholarship.)
2. Application/Audition fee: $80 (Due with application, non-refundable)
3. Registration fee: $250 (Due on acceptance, non-refundable)
4. Room and Board fee: $1,100 for six weeks (Payable with the registration fee and due no later than Sunday June 4, 2023.)

About 10 work-study positions (assistant librarians and stagehands) are available. Each position is worth a $550 value that is applied against the housing fee. Requests must be emailed to josephw@festivalhill.org before Monday, March 27, 2023.

Auditions

1. Preliminary Auditions:
Once you have filled out the application, you will have access to your personal file. After paying the $80 fee online, you will have access to the "Upload Video Audition" button.
All audition excerpts must be video recorded in the order requested (without any verbal introduction) and uploaded on your created account. The audition must be uploaded as one video, but the excerpts may be recorded separately on the same day and in the same room (show the date on the video. We recommend the app "timestamp camera" which is free) and pasted together into one continuous video segment in the order listed.
All pieces should be played without accompaniment. Read also Video Audition Upload Guidelines.
Each instrument requires specific excerpts (Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Flute, Piccolo, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Tuba, Percussion, Harp, Piano.)
Although excerpts for English horn, E-flat clarinet, and Bass Clarinet are optional, they are strongly recommended.
Note: Due to the volume of applicants, we are not able to offer feedback on recorded auditions.

2. Orchestra Seating Placement Auditions (live in front of the faculty members):
On Monday, June 5, 2023 starting at 10:00 am after the orientation meeting.
Specific excerpts will be posted early May 2023.