August 11-22, 2024
Set in the summer resort community of Lake George, New York for two weeks each August, the Lake George Music Festival (LGMF) is a collaborative artist retreat. Our “side by side” approach pairs Festival mentors and guest artists with a roster of talented young fellows. All participants attend solely as a way to advance intellectually, artistically, and professionally; working closely together in a tight-knit community and nurturing atmosphere.
LIFE AT LAKE GEORGE
Daily rehearsals take place at variety of venues in Lake George Village including churches, hotel conference rooms, as well as the local library, art gallery, and museum. Evening performances take place at our historic, lakeside venues: the Carriage House Theater and Lake George’s Shepard Park Amphitheater.
A delicious, pot-luck style lunch is served daily in Lake George’s centrally located St. James church; prepared by our team of community volunteers and host families. There are always snacks, fruit, and beverages available, and kitchen and practice facilities available for personal use. Our historic facility and community hall, all enhanced by the beautiful surroundings make a residency at Lake George a fulfilling and treasured opportunity.
Not only is Lake George a destination for classical music lovers, it is also a quintessential summer vacation town. With the most gorgeous lake and natural scenery as our backdrop, Lake George offers everything from hiking, parasailing, kayaking, and boat cruises to fine dining, quiet parks and beaches, and of course a plethora of touristy attractions like mini-golf courses, arcades, t-shirt shops, and ice cream parlors!
REPERTOIRE PERFORMED and ACTIVITIES
Chamber music repertoire performed at the festival is selected from requests submitted by participating musicians. Fellows will typically perform in one or two chamber pieces, solo, and in the festival symphony orchestra (two orchestra programs). Mentors and guest artists offer fellows master classes, private lessons and other educational components such as pre-performance discussions and workshops; all in addition to daily “side-by-side” chamber and orchestral collaborations.
COSTS, MEALS, and HOUSING
2024 Tuition Fee: $2,168. Includes:
- Guaranteed chamber performances, side by side with mentors or other fellows
- 2 Guaranteed orchestral performances for winds, brass, strings, and percussion
- Guaranteed piano recital performance for pianists
- Private lesson with a mentor of your choice
- Masterclasses with distinguished guest artists
- Seminars with mentors, composers, artist managers, and other industry leaders
- Housing with an area host family or double occupancy hotel room
- Daily lunch
- An all-access festival pass to attend all evening performances and events
- Professional audio recordings of your performances
- Professional photographs of your performances
- Fun events like our ice cream socials, opening celebration, and after party!
Conducting fellowship program details can be viewed here >> Fellows are typically housed with host families in the surrounding area. Lunch will be provided daily by the festival. Dinners are the responsibility of the fellow. The Village of Lake George offers many musician friendly meal options. Fellows are responsible for their own transportation to and from the festival. *Starting in 2024, 95% of all fellows will receive some amount of scholarship. Consideration for scholarship will be based on both financial need and merit.
ELIGIBILITY
We offer residencies to fellows from all nationalities and backgrounds ages 18 and up. Generally, fellows who qualify for Lake George residencies typically are undergraduate or graduate students who show great professional promise. An abiding principle at Lake George is that applications for residency are judged solely on basis of artistic merit.
APPLY
Applications will remain open on a rolling admission basis for violin, viola, cello, and bass. All other instrumental areas are now closed.
The festival will accept one Conducting Fellow annually. For more information, please click here >>
Internships are available for: Concert Production, Recording Engineering, and Arts Administration. Learn more >> Composers must apply to our Composer’s Institute
HOW TO APPLY
Click the following link to apply via Acceptd: <<APPLY NOW>>
The online platform will ask for the following:
-Current CV or Resume
-Audition video links
-Recommendation letter
-Application for financial support (optional)
-Application fee of $25
VIDEO AUDITION REQUIREMENTS Video recordings must include two contrasting works and an orchestral excerpt (pianists excluded) of your choice. Percussionists please include one marimba solo and one other instrument. Submissions should contrast both in style and tempo. Recordings must be unedited and recorded within the past 6 months. If you choose to submit a piece originally written with piano accompaniment, your video should be recorded with a pianist. Piano reductions of concertos are acceptable. The conducting fellowship has specific application requirements: CLICK HERE >>
Other information: Fellows are invited to Lake George on the basis of a recorded audition. Combined enrollment is limited to the number of musicians needed for a full symphony orchestra; plus pianists and harpists. Fellows must attend for the entire festival. Applications that do not strictly follow these procedures will not be reviewed. Candidates who pass the recorded audition screening may be contacted for a telephone or ZOOM video interview prior to admission. Questions about repertoire or other submission related details please contact us at info@lakegeorgemusicfestival.com A non-refundable enrollment fee of $500 is due immediately to reserve your space and applies toward the total cost of tuition. The remaining tuition balance is due by June 1. A fully refundable damage deposit of $500 will be collected at the festival. This can be done by physical check, credit card number, or cash.