Instrumental Studies

Open to advanced violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, and percussion undergraduate students through post graduates.

Pre-formed ensembles are invited to apply.

2026 Program Dates

Friday, July 10 - Sunday, July 26, 2026

Chamber Music and SO MUCH MORE!  

Application Deadline: March 1

program description

Explore instrumental chamber music in a focused and supportive environment. Studies include: private lessons, regular coachings, masterclasses, performance opportunities, professional development, workshops, and more. Students develop musical skills, independence, and interpretation, and hone their interpersonal negotiating abilities. They also evolve into strong, independent artists – all while observing their teachers and mentors who perform at the Wintergreen Music Festival.

The outstanding faculty and coaches are members of the Wintergreen Festival Orchestra. These instructors play in orchestras and ensembles around the country and internationally and are university teachers or experienced pedagogues.

Students will explore the intricacies of performing chamber music with musicians outside of their discipline. In addition, ensembles also have the option to work closely with composition students and instructors to learn, perform, and record new works.

studies include:

• One private lesson per week with our esteemed faculty

• Multiple masterclasses per week, including instrument-specific and cross-disciplinary opportunities

• Study and performance of up to three major chamber music works

• Chamber music coachings with faculty

• Multiple opportunities to work with and observe the professional musicians of the Wintergreen Festival Orchestra, comprised of musicians from top orchestras and chamber music societies around the country

• Side-by-side orchestra opportunity with the Wintergreen Festival Orchestra 

• At least one public performance per week in formal and informal settings, helping students to build confidence and experience in concert presentation

• Rehearsal time with colleagues

• Guidance and experience in public speaking and community engagement

• Various workshops such as: finances for musicians, working with composers, music business/entrepreneurship, mock auditions, fostering relationships with donors and supporters, and so much more

• Creation of a professional portfolio

Additional Highlights: 

• Free access to nearly all Wintergreen Music Festival performances (a $900 value)

• Beautiful hiking trails, breathtaking overlooks, and free access to the Wintergreen Resort Fitness and Aquatics center

2026 faculty

Application requirements (for winds, brass, Percussion & Strings)

1. Video recordings of two contrasting works (no more than 10 minutes total in duration) demonstrating technical and musical ability. Applicants may upload files or provide a link during the application process.

2. Video recordings of two contrasting orchestral excerpts. Applicants may upload files or provide a link during the application process.

   • Excerpts and additional resources: https://orchestraexcerpts.com/.

3. Current resume of training experience.

4. Current Repertoire List including chamber music works studied and/or performed. Chamber music experience is not a requirement. This list helps us create chamber groups of matching experience.

5. Contact information for one reference.

6. Video recording of yourself describing a meaningful leadership experience and why it impacted you. 2 minutes or less.

Visit https://app.getacceptd.com/wintergreen for more details.

Application requirements (for Percussion)

Video recordings of two contrasting works (no more than 10 minutes total in duration) demonstrating technical and musical ability. Applicants may upload files or provide a link during the application process.

1. Video recordings of the following:

• Snare Drum:

  • One concert style etude (Delécluse, Peters, or similar)

  • One standard orchestral excerpt

• Timpani:

  • One etude using 3 or 4 drums (Delécluse, Hochrainer, or similar)

  • One standard orchestral excerpt

• Mallets:

  • 4 mallet marimba solo (3 minutes or less; May be an excerpt from longer work)

  • 2 mallet marimba or xylophone solo (2 minutes or less; May be an excerpt from longer work)

  • One standard orchestral excerpt on xylophone or glockenspiel

Applicants may upload files or provide a link during the application process.

2. Current resume of training experience.

3. Current Repertoire List including chamber music works studied and/or performed. Chamber music experience is not a requirement. This list helps us create chamber groups of matching experience.

4. Contact information for one reference.

5. Video recording of yourself describing a meaningful leadership experience and why it impacted you. 2 minutes or less.

Visit https://app.getacceptd.com/wintergreen for more details.

APPLICATION DEADLINES & INFORMATION

Deadlines

• March 1: Application Deadline ($65 fee)

Acceptances

• Decisions regarding admission will be published by March 15 via email from the Acceptd application portal.

FEES

• Application:

  • $65 on or before March 1

• Tuition:

  • $200 non-refundable deposit (Tuition is FREE!) This fee helps to cover admission to the aquatics center, admission to all Festival events, a Festival t-shirt, transportation from and to the Charlottesville airport, train station, or bus terminal, a meal at a local restaurant, and additional meals and/or afternoon socials with the Wintergreen Music community.

• Room & Board:

  • Students will be responsible for securing their own housing accommodations and food for the duration of the program. A list of local AirB&B and VRBO will be provided upon acceptance and transportation to local grocery stores will be provided. 

Please visit our Applications and Fees page for more information.

Financial Need

Other than the $200 non-refundable deposit, tuition is free for students! If you need additional assistance to help cover the cost of housing, please contact our Education Manager, Brenna Wiinanen at education@wintergreenmusic.org to request more information.

Contact

For questions or more information, please contact Education Manager Brenna Wiinanen (education@wintergreenmusic.org).

*details subject to change