Young Artists Division

Registration Now Closed for July 2023

The Young Artists Division is a day camp (Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm) designed for intermediate to advanced students. This division is open to string, woodwind, brass, and piano players ages 11-18. However, we do 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 Jeni Gossard, Director of Education, before enrolling. Pre-formed ensembles are also welcome! Contact Jeni Gossard to get more details on how to register a pre-formed ensemble.

Our first priority is student, faculty, staff, and community safety. We are closely monitoring the pandemic and its impact on in-person rehearsals, performances, and gatherings. Updated COVID safety precautions will be sent out to all registered families, participants, and guests as the Workshop nears. ACMC will be following all City of Austin, CDC, and/or venue guidelines. Set protocols are subject to change before and during the Workshop.

Visit The Young Artists Division FAQ Page


Important Dates

Registration Deadline Tuesday, May 9 at 11:59 PM
Tuition balance due (no tuition refunds will be given after this date) Monday, June 19
First day of the Young Artists Division Monday, July 10
Final performances in Bates Recital Hall – FREE Admission Saturday, July 22

TO NOTE BEFORE REGISTERING:

  • Attendance Policy: ALL Young Artists Division students are REQUIRED to attend ALL days of the workshop to participate, including the final concerts on Saturday, July 22. 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 UT parking options along with student drop off and pick up instructions prior to the start of the workshop.

Handbook, Daily Schedule, and Activities

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


General Daily Schedule

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

Activities Include

  • Chamber music coaching: All students will be placed in 2 different chamber ensembles; 2-5 players
  • Music Elective Class examples: Composition, creative & jazz improvisation, percussion ensemble
  • Masterclasses and presentations by Festival artists-in-residence and workshop faculty
  • FREE admission to select Festival Concerts
  • Final Concerts: Saturday, July 22 at 1:00pm & 3:00pm
    • ALL students will perform on BOTH chamber music concerts
    • Keep your schedules open from 12:00pm to 5:00pm this afternoon
    • Concerts will take place in Bates Recital Hall

Tuition, Private Lessons, and Financial Assistance

Young Artists Division tuition is $1000. There are 2 payment options:

  • Option 1: Pay the full $1000 tuition upon registering
  • Option 2: Pay the $400 non-refundable deposit upon registering and the $600 balance on or by June 19

Parents should either pay the deposit OR full tuition, NOT both, when registering! No tuition refunds will be given after June 19, 2023. Deposits (or $400 of full tuition) are non-refundable. 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 $1000 tuition) upon registering or later prior to the first day of the workshop. Private lessons outside the workshop are highly encouraged; however, we are offering extra help for those that want it during workshop hours. Lessons are 40 minutes long and will be assigned to a workshop faculty member by the Director of Education.

  • One private lesson during the workshop = $50
  • Two private lessons during the workshop = $100

Financial Assistance Deadline = May 1
Financial assistance is available to families in need. Our goal is to offer all students the opportunity to participate in the workshop regardless of financial background. Clicking Here To Submit An Application. If you have any questions please contact Jeni Gossard BEFORE the deadline and before registering. The financial assistance application deadline: Monday, May 1.

Placement Auditions

Placement auditions are for chamber ensemble placement only. Once the online registration and tuition is taken care of students have secured their place in the Workshop. In order to place students into the most appropriate ensemble and to select music we need to hear them! Any questions regarding whether a student is ready for chamber music should be directed to Jeni Gossard, Director of Education, BEFORE registering.

All new AND returning students that did not participate–or do a placement audition–in the spring 2023 Young Artists Academy semester will be asked to do a placement audition. Auditions are required to get everyone’s most accurate playing level for ensemble pairing and music selecting!

My child plays two instruments: Students may audition on 2 instruments (they are placed in 2 chamber ensembles during the workshop) as long as they have been playing for at least 1-2 years on both instruments. Students will be required to prepare audition materials on both instruments. When registering put down both instruments and other information that is asked.


There are TWO ways to complete a placement audition:

Option 1:  Pre-Record a Video Audition

  • Video submission deadline:  Monday, May 22
  • Video audition material: One movement of a solo OR one etude, of the student’s choice, that showcases their current playing level musically and technically
    • If the student wants to play 2 instruments at the Workshop then 2 separate videos are required; one for each instrument
    • We recommend consulting private lesson instructors to help with selecting audition material
    • Please be sure students are facing the camera, your background is well lit, and that we can see the student’s full instrument and both hands
  • Email your video to Jeni at jeni@austinchambermusic.org
    • Video delivery formats: Google Drive or Dropbox
    • Provide the following in your email:
      • Solo title, movement, and composer OR etude book title and/or number, and composer

Option 2:  Schedule an In-Person Audition

  • In-person auditions will be scheduled individually with Jeni Gossard at the ACMC office: 7600 Burnet Road
  • There will be two in-person audition dates. Individual times will be scheduled with Jeni Gossard once registration has been completed.
    • Audition day 1:  Saturday, May 20 from 9am to 1pm
    • Audition day 2: Saturday, May 27 from 9am to 1pm
  • Audition material: One movement of a solo OR one etude, of the student’s choice, that showcases their current playing level musically and technically
    • If the student wants to play 2 instruments at the Workshop then the student must play the audition materials on each instrument at the audition
    • We recommend consulting private lesson instructors to help with selecting audition material
    • All in-person auditions will be video taped
  • All auditions must be completed by May 27
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