Apply: Piano Program

Tuition Includes:

MMF Institute—

• Private Lessons: one 55-minute private lesson with each piano faculty member.
• Collaborative performances: at least two guaranteed ensemble performances with either Mostly Modern Orchestra (MMO) and/or chamber music. Placement is at the discretion of the faculty and in consultation with the accepted participants.
• Solo performance: All pianists may perform a solo, piano duo, or piano ensemble as part of a chamber concert. Repertoire will be chosen in consultation with the piano faculty.
• Recordings: pianists receive archival audio WAV files and links to three-camera-shot videos of their performances via the Mostly Modern Projects YouTube channel.
• Masterclasses: attend and optional participation in two masterclasses, in which pianists play repertoire and/or excerpts, coached by faculty members.
• Seminars/Workshops: attend three seminars and/or workshops, one by each piano faculty member, and access to all other seminars. See the Institute Events schedule for a list of other Institute events. Seminars/workshops include the following (subject to change):
  • Geoffrey Burleson
    • Seminar: Swiftly Decoding the Score: Learning Contemporary Piano Music Quickly, Efficiently, and Thoroughly
      This seminar explores how to adapt an efficient method for learning sometimes very difficult piano scores quickly, which can be accomplished via techniques of segmentation, “tempo testing,” and well-developed sight-reading facility.
    • Improvisation Workshops: Approaches, Styles, and the Composition-Improvisation Continuum
      These workshops will include elements of everything from Baroque to jazz and “free” improvisation, and explore the fluidity between the realms of pre-meditated composition and more spontaneous improvisation. No previous improvisation experience required!
      • Workshop 1: Louis Couperin unmeasured preludes and improvising on works of J.S. Bach
      • Workshop 2: Classical idioms and florid romantic improvisation
      • Workshop 3: blues, jazz harmony, modal improv, and “structured freedom”
• Concerto Competition: option to apply for the Mostly Modern Concerto Competition. Two winners will be chosen each season to perform a concerto with the orchestra during the following season.
• All-Access Pass: one all-access pass to all concerts and applicable Institute Events at the festival.
• Welcome Party, Opening and Closing night parties!

Note: performers interested in taking composition lessons will need to apply as composers and be accepted into the composition program.

Room And Board—

• Room for three weeks in either Wiecking Hall or Kimball Hall, single room occupancy.
• Three meals a day at Skidmore College Dining Hall. Click here to view pics and a detailed description.

Scholarships, Work Study, and Resident Advisor (RA) positions are available. These options may be selected during the application process.

Tuition: $5,975

Fellowship & Scholarships available

Application Fee (non-refundable)
Early Deadline: $55.00
Priority Deadline: $85.00
Late Deadline: $125.00

Please note: all programs are subject to closing early if maximum capacity is reached before the final application deadline. We recommend applying early to ensure the best chance for acceptance.

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for further information, application deadline dates, and for answers to questions not covered here.