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BYSO Summer ChamberFest / at the BYSO Youth Center for Music

String Players and Pianists: Join Us July 2026!

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CHAMBERFEST 2026 DATES ANNOUNCED
Session 1: July 6-10, 2026
Session 2: July 13-17, 2026
Evening Intensive: July 7-17, 2026 (Tues-Fri)

ChamberFest 2026

BYSO ChamberFest is an immersive 5-day summer chamber music program for intermediate to advanced string players and pianists, ages 8-18. Students receive twice-daily chamber coachings, participate in enrichment classes, and perform in a final concert.

Students are welcome to participate in one or both weeks. 

Our Ensemble in Residence program (EIR) for advanced high school students includes full scholarship and coaching sessions with our guest artists, the Arneis Quartet.  Please note that this is a highly competitive program and all applicants to the Ensemble in Residence (including current BYSO students) must audition.

We are thrilled to offer this new option for high school students who want to play chamber music this summer but will be busy during the day with internships, jobs, summer courses, or other obligations.  The Evening Intensive will take place on Tuesday – Friday, July 7 – 17, 5:00 – 8:00pm and will include daily coachings with ChamberFest faculty and a final concert on Friday, July 17. 

  • Chorus
  • Rhythm and drumming 
  • Yoga and movement classes
  • Performance workshops
  • Musicianship
  • Camerata (our conductorless chamber orchestra)

Adrian Slywotzky, violin
Yonah Zur, violin
Daniel Doña, viola
Joan Ellersick, viola
Miriam Eckelhoefer, cello
Randy Zigler, double bass
Yun Lee, piano

Arneis Quartet

9:00am Chorus

9:30am Chamber coaching #1

10:30am Break/snack

10:45am Musicianship

11:30am Drumming

12:15pm Lunch

1:00pm Yoga

1:45pm Chamber coaching #2

3:00pm Break/snack

3:15pm Camerata

4:00pm Dismissal

Schedules vary slightly by age and level, so that each day is kept fast-paced and challenging in a way that is developmentally appropriate.

The Ensemble in Residence has a more intense schedule, with longer coachings and rehearsal blocks. In addition to coachings, EIR students participate in Chorus, Camerata, and a daily score study class.

Applications are open now!  If you have any questions please contact us at bysochamberfest@gmail.com.

APPLY TOAY FOR SUMMER CHAMBERFEST 2026

ChamberFest 2026 Application Details

In order to form the best possible groups, auditions are required for all participants.  Current BYSO students will be automatically admitted to ChamberFest or the Evening Intensive, but will be asked to complete a brief placement interview.

The Application is open now – Click Here to Apply Today.  If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact us at bysochamberfest@gmail.com.

Application Deadline: March 1, 2026

Application Fee: $35

Auditions:  March 13, 14, 15, 2026
Placement Interviews (for current BYSO students): TBD in March

In-person auditions are strongly encouraged.  In the event that a student is not able to audition (they live out of state or will be away the weekend of March 13-15), video auditions may be submitted.  Please see below for audition requirements.

Audition results will be sent by April 10th.  Once you have been notified of your acceptance, a $300 deposit will be due April 15th and the balance of the tuition will be due by May 15th.  Music will be sent by the end of May.  

ChamberFest Week 1 (July 6-10, 2026): $1,125

ChamberFest Weeks 2 (July 13-17, 2026): $1,125

ChamberFest Evening Intensive (July 7-17, 2026): $750

  • Two scales of student’s choice
    • String players: 3 octaves recommended; 2 octaves for double bass players
    • Pianists should prepare their scales per their private teacher’s recommendation
  • Two contrasting pieces or movements (5-8 minutes total)
  • Sight reading
    • Pianists: in lieu of sight reading, pianists will be asked to prepare two short chamber music excerpts.  Excerpts will be distributed 10 days prior to the audition.


At a minimum, string players should be at the end of Suzuki Book 3 (Book 2 for double bass) or a comparable level.  Pianists should be at least at the level of playing a sonatina (e.g. Mozart or Clementi) or intermediate-level Romantic piece.  Strong reading skills are a must.  

 

Ensemble In Residence Audition Requirements:

String Players

  • All major and minor scales
  • One movement from a standard concerto
  • One movement from a Bach Suite or Sonata or other comparable solo (unaccompanied) repertoire
  • Sight Reading


Pianists

  • All major and minor scales
  • One movement from a Sonata
  • One movement from a Romantic or 20th Century piece
  • Two prepared chamber music excerpts

JOIN US THIS SUMMER

Spaces are limited, so we encourage you to register early and reach out to bysochamberfest@gmail.com with any questions.

Apply Today!