Application Information

DEADLINE:
December 15 for International Program
January 5 for Smith Family Young Performers Program
APPLICATION FEE:
$70 before priority deadlines of December 1 for International Program applicants and December 22 for Young Performers Program applicants
$130 if submitted after priority deadlines

Round One: Applicants submit completed application form, audition recordings, and supplementary materials.
Round Two: Applicants who pass round one will be invited to a live audition. For Young Performer applicants residing further than 200 miles from a live audition location, there is a Zoom audition date. International Program applicants are strongly recommended to audition in person at a live audition location. Zoom auditions for International Program applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

2026 LIVE AUDITION DATES AND LOCATIONS (subject to change)

Chicago, IL:	Friday, January 16
New York, NY:	Saturday, January 17 (Young Performers only)
Boston, MA:	Sunday, January 18
New York, NY:	Friday, January 23 (International Program only) Saturday, January 24 (International Program only)
Zoom Auditions:	Saturday, January 24 (Young Performers only)
Los Angeles, CA:	Friday, January 30
Atherton, CA:	Saturday, January 31 Sunday, February 1
Houston, TX:	Monday, February 2

Late Submissions: Applications will continue to be accepted past each program’s final deadlines and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

APPLICATION PROCESS The following items are submitted via the online application form through Acceptd.

• Musical biography and/or résumé
• A list of your recent solo and chamber repertoire.
• Recordings (see table below for Repertoire Requirements)
• Young Performers Program applicants only — please upload a very brief video of yourself telling us why you want to come to Music@Menlo. Video should be approximately one minute in duration.
• A list of the audition recordings you are submitting.
• A recommendation from a primary instructor and/or musician of prominent standing. The recommendation requirement is waived for Young Performers who have previously attended Music@Menlo.
• A headshot (optional)
• A nonrefundable application fee of $70 if applying by priority deadlines (December 1 for International Program and December 22 for Young Performers Program), or $130 if applying after priority deadlines. For application fee waivers, please email institute@musicatmenlo.org detailing the need for the exemption.

REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS FOR ROUND ONE (VIDEO) SUBMISSIONS
Please submit video recordings that were created within the past year. Each work must be performed in a single, unedited take and submitted as a separate file. Label your recordings clearly with composer, title, movement(s), and date of recording. Recordings do not have to be from public performances; sound and video quality are of greater importance. Make sure that proper lighting is used and that the camera shows full range of movement and use of instrument. String players note – for works with piano, we want to see your pianist in the video frame.

Young Performers Program Repertoire Requirements

International Program Repertoire Requirements

For All Ages: Strings (violin, viola, cello): Total three selections: Either a movement of solo Bach or a solo caprice / etude First or last movement of a Classical-period sonata A work or movement of contrasting style that demonstrates instrumental facility. Piano accompaniment must be provided for works where it is required. Violists may substitute a sonata of their choice for the Classical-period sonata. Total recording time should be at least fifteen minutes. Piano: Total three selections: A piece or a movement of a sonata by a Classical-period composer A piece or a movement of a sonata by a Romantic-period composer A third free selection of Applicant’s choice Total recording time should be at least fifteen minutes

Round One Repertoire for Strings (violin, viola, cello) and Piano ages 20 - 30: one Classical-period sonata, concerto, or multi-movement work - one substantial movement; string applicants must include piano one Romantic-period sonata, concerto, or multi-movement work - two contrasting movements, string applicants must include piano You may submit any combination of works above EXCEPT two concertos. One of the works must be either a sonata or multi-movement work. one chamber music work (at least one movement) Optional Additional chamber music works of your choice. Pre-formed Ensembles (strings and piano only): one Classical-period work – one substantial movement; one Romantic-period work – two contrasting movements Optional Additional chamber music works of your choice.

ROUND TWO – LIVE AUDITIONS
Those who pass round one will be invited to a live audition. Live auditions are typically conducted by two or more members of the audition committee and are video-recorded for review by the full audition committee. Most live auditions are fifteen minutes long.

For Young Performer applicants residing further than 200 miles from a live audition location, there is a Zoom audition date.

International Program applicants selected for Round Two are strongly recommended to audition in person at a live audition location. Zoom auditions for International Program applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS FOR ROUND TWO (LIVE) AUDITIONS

Young Performers Program Repertoire Requirements

International Program Repertoire Requirements

For All Ages: The repertoire you select for the live audition must adhere to the same guidelines as in the Round One video submission stage. Selections can be, but do not have to be the same; however, you must fulfill the aforementioned requirements. In addition, applicants will be asked to prepare an additional selection from the standard chamber music repertoire. The sheet music for this selection will be provided once you are notified about your live audition.

Applicants who advance to the live audition round should bring at least two contrasting works of their choice (no solo Bach). It is not required to bring the same repertoire that was submitted with your online application, but you can if you wish. In addition, please bring the following repertoire to be played with a faculty member: Violin: BEETHOVEN Violin Sonata in D Major, op. 12, no. 1 – movement 1 AND BRAHMS Violin Sonata no. 3 in D minor, op. 108 – movement 2 Viola: BRAHMS Viola Sonata no. 2 in E-flat Major, op. 120 – movement 1 AND SCHUBERT Sonata for Viola and Piano in a minor, “Arpeggione” – movement 1 Cello: BEETHOVEN String Quartet no. 7 in F Major, op. 59, no. 1 – exposition of movement 1 AND BEETHOVEN Cello Sonata in A Major, op. 69 – exposition of movement 1 Piano: BEETHOVEN Violin Sonata no. 3 in E-flat Major, op. 12 – movement 1 AND FAURE Violin Sonata no. 1, op. 13 – movement 1

AUDITION RESULTS
Audition results are sent to applicants by email. All applicants will be notified of their status by March 1, 2026. Invited applicants are typically given twenty-four hours to accept or decline an invitation for admission.

Smith Family Young Performers Program admitted students will need to submit a $250 deposit to hold their space at the time of acceptance. The deposit will be refunded to applicant upon completion of the first day of the program

INSTITUTE QUESTIONS
Please review our Institute FAQ section or contact Daphne Wong, Director of Artistic Administration, at 650-330-2134 or institute@musicatmenlo.org.
Faculty subject to change.

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Music@Menlo does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, handicap, disability, or age in any of its policies, procedures, or practices. This nondiscriminatory policy covers admission and access to and treatment and employment in the festival’s programs and activities. Inquiries regarding this policy may be directed to the festival office at 650-330-2030.