Young Artists Division

2026 Registration Opens on December 1, 2025

The Young Artists Division is a day camp (Monday–Friday 8:30 AM–4:00 PM) designed for intermediate to advanced middle and high school students (ages 11–18). This division is open to string, woodwind, brass, percussion (new for 2026), and piano players. We ask that students have a minimum of 1–2 years of private instruction and be able to read music before enrolling. If you have any questions about this, please contact us at kenken@austinchambermusic.org before enrolling. Pre-formed ensembles are encouraged! Contact us to get more details on how to register a pre-formed ensemble.

Visit The Young Artists Division FAQ Page

Important Dates

TO NOTE BEFORE REGISTERING:

• Attendance Policy: ALL Young Artists Division students are REQUIRED to attend ALL days of the workshop, including the final concerts on Saturday, July 25. NO EXCEPTIONS.
• UT Parking: The Young Artists Division will take place at the University of Texas at Austin Butler School of Music. Please note that there is NO free parking on campus. Participants will receive drop-off and pick-up instructions prior to the start of the workshop.

Handbook, Daily Schedule, and Activities

Handbook:

Please download and READ CAREFULLY before registering for the Workshop:  Workshop Handbook

General Daily Schedule:

• 8:30 AM: Morning meeting
• 8:45 AM: Large Chamber Ensemble Rehearsals / Technique classes
• 9:45 AM: Chamber ensemble rehearsals and Elective classes
• 11:45 AM: Lunch (students need to bring lunch each day)
• 12:30 PM: Chamber ensemble rehearsals and Elective classes
• 2:30 PM: Individual practice time, private lessons, or group activities
• 3:15 PM: Presentations, masterclasses, or special group activities
• 4:00 PM: End of day/pick-up

Activities Include:

• Chamber music coaching: All students will be placed in 2 different chamber ensembles (large and small)
  • Large chamber ensembles include: conductorless chamber orchestra(s), mixed brass/wind ensemble(s), percussion ensemble(s), piano ensemble(s)
  • Small chamber ensembles (2-5 players): piano trios, woodwind quintets, string quartets, etc.
• Music Elective Classes: music composition, jazz improvisation, introduction to conducting, free improvisation, introduction to percussion, Poses for the Practice Room: Yoga for Musicians
• Masterclasses and presentations by Festival artists-in-residence and workshop faculty
• FREE tickets (preferred seating) to select ACMC Festival Concerts
• Final Concerts: Saturday, July 25 at 1:00 PM & 3:30 PM (second concert time subject to change pending enrollment)
  • ALL students will perform on BOTH chamber music concerts
  • Keep your schedules open from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM this afternoon
  • Concerts will take place in Bates Recital Hall

Tuition, Private Lessons, and Financial Assistance

Early Bird Tuition Rate = $1300 (save $100)

Get last year’s tuition rate by April 1 before the tuition goes up. There are 2 payment options:

• Option 1: Pay the full $1200 early bird tuition upon registering ($600 non-refundable)
• Option 2: Pay a $600 non-refundable deposit upon registering and the $700 balance on or by June 15

No tuition refunds will be given after June 15, 2026. Tuition cannot be credited to any other ACMC program. Tuition total includes processing fees.

Tuition Rate after April 1 = $1400

There are 2 payment options:

• Option 1: Pay the full $1400 tuition upon registering ($600non-refundable)
• Option 2: Pay the $600 non-refundable deposit upon registering and the $800 balance on or by June 15

No tuition refunds will be given after June 15, 2026. Tuition cannot be credited to any other ACMC program. Tuition total includes processing fees.

Private Lessons
Students have the option of signing up for 1–2 private lessons (additional cost outside the program tuition) upon registering or later prior to the first day of the workshop. Private lessons outside the workshop are highly encouraged. These are conducted during workshop hours. Lessons are 45 minutes long and will be assigned to a workshop faculty member by Workshop staff.

• One private lesson during the workshop = $60
• Two private lessons during the workshop = $120

Financial Aid Deadline = April 21, 2026
Limited financial aid is available to families in need. Our goal is to offer all students the opportunity to participate in the workshop regardless of financial background.

Financial Aid Application

Placement Auditions

Placement auditions are used for chamber ensemble placement only. Once the online registration and tuition is completed, students have secured their place in the Workshop. In order to place students into the most appropriate ensemble and to select music an audition video must be submitted for our faculty to review. Any questions regarding whether a student is ready for chamber music should be directed to us at kenken@austinchambermusic.org.

For pianists and percussionists, an additional sight-reading video upload will be required following the application submission.

Pre-Recorded Placement Video Audition Instructions:

Video submission deadline: Monday, May 8, 2026

Video audition material: One movement of a solo OR one etude that showcases your current playing level musically and technically.