Every August, families in the Lake George area open their homes to Lake George Music Festival musicians. While some hosts are Festival volunteers or board members, many are local residents who just love music and musicians, or simply want to help bring something special to Lake George.
HOST A MUSICIAN
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Hosting musicians is a unique and rewarding experience! Festival musicians include young professionals, current students or faculty, or alumni from many prestigious institutions, and nearly every music conservatory in the nation. Amongst others, our musicians have represented institutions such as the symphonies of Atlanta, Charlotte, Richmond, Kansas City, New World, Dallas, Boise, Detroit, San Antonio, the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Opera, the Ying Quartet, Astral Artists, Concert Artists Guild, Young Concert Artists, the Curtis Institute of Music, the Juilliard School, and the Eastman School of Music.
Hosts are recruited throughout the year, and are matched with guests prior to their arrival at the festival. Musicians are responsible for their own transportation and meals during their stay. Hosts simply provide a welcoming place for our musicians to sleep and practice.
POLICIES & DETAILS
With many musicians in residence (most ages 18-40), finding suitable housing for them close to Lake George is our most pressing issue.
If you are interested in hosting, please email us at the link below or call 518-791-5089.
The Lake George Music Festival, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charity. Host Families are credited with special benefits including a free “festival pass” and invitations to private performances and events. An “in-kind” donation (tax-credit) valued at $1,350 per musician hosted can be obtained.
Hosts must provide a room with a bed, linens, and a bathroom (bathroom can be a shared space).
Housing must be non-smoking. Pet-free housing is preferred. If pets will be present, please let us know as early as possible so we can assess in order to avoid any potential issues.
Use of host's kitchen, laundry facilities, and internet are optional, but always greatly appreciated by our musicians.
Hosts will be paired with their musician(s) shortly before the festival. Hosts will be notified via email unless otherwise requested.
Most Musicians will need or want to practice in the home. If this poses a problem, please let us know in advance so that we can arrange for alternate practice space for your guests.
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Musicians will arrive in Lake George by 5:30 on the first day of the festival. Staff usually arrive the day before.
Musicians and hosts are invited to an orientation gathering. This "meet and greet" is a great way to introduce yourself to your guest musicians.
Hosting for the entirety of the festival is greatly appreciated. However, hosts may choose to host for only a portion of the festival dates.
Depending on their individual schedules, musicians will likely leave around 9am most days. They may or may not return during the day, and will often return home later than 9pm.
Hosts are NOT required to provide transportation. On a typical year, about half of our musicians will have a vehicle at the festival. Therefore, to aid in transportation, we often try to place two musicians with one host (one with a vehicle and one without).
Providing transportation, or loaning a car to the festival for use by a seasonal staff member or musician, is up to the host's discretion, and while greatly appreciated, but not required.
Providing meals is not required. However, some hosts do like to invite their guests to join them for meals – especially breakfast.
The average musician age is 23. All LGMF musicians are required to be at least 18 years old.
Musicians are expected to depart the morning after the final orchestra concert.