Musical Training at the Monteux School
Q: What is learning music at the Monteux School like?
A: The orchestral rehearsal is the center of your day at Monteux. The orchestra rehearses daily, and performs weekly concerts. In addition, a chamber music concert allows participants to collaborate with each other on chamber repertoire. Other festival activities include chamber music rehearsals, seminars and masterclasses with resident and guest artists, paid freelance work, and recreational activities.
Q: How is attending the Monteux School as an instrumentalist different from attending as a conductor?
A: The festival serves as a training ground for orchestral musicians and conductors. Through a large and varied repertoire that changes each summer, musicians learn how to prepare and rehearse repertoire on a rigorous professional schedule; through working with many different conductors and witnessing their training, orchestra musicians learn about the craft of orchestral collaboration in a more in-depth way than the standard orchestral rehearsal. In addition, the festival provides ample opportunities for rotating principal seating and orchestral solos, performance in masterclasses, paid work outside the festival, and collaboration with colleagues for independent creative projects.
Q: How does the repertoire work?
A: In the course of six weeks, the orchestra either performs OR reads through all the repertoire in the list. Conductors are assigned either concert or reading repertoire every week, ensuring weekly podium time, and the orchestra can expect to rehearse and prepare (at a minimum) six full-length orchestral programs featuring core standard repertoire and other masterworks, as well as about 30-40 additional orchestral works in reading. Conductors receive at least three concert appearances in the course of the summer.
Q: How much podium time will I receive as a conductor?
A: On weeks in which a conductor is given a concert assignment (at least three), they can expect to have at least 50-75 minutes of podium time (often more, depending on the complexity of the assignment), in the form of instruction with the faculty in front of the full orchestra. On weeks in which a conductor is given a reading assignment (all weeks where they do not receive a concert assignment), the orchestral reading consists of about 25-40 minutes of time. Conductors will receive produced recordings of dress rehearsals and concerts at the conclusion of the festival.
Q: Will I get private lessons on my instrument?
A: We do not provide regular private instrumental instruction. The main format for instruction at the festival is in orchestra rehearsals, where musicians in the orchestra receive as much attention and instruction as conductors. You will also have opportunities to participate in mock auditions and masterclasses, and receive lessons from our many prominent guest artists who visit the festival.
Q: Are there paid opportunities in the area?
A: Each year we coordinate over twenty paid freelance opportunities for musicians in conjunction with area churches and other institutions that support the school. These are coordinated upon arrival.
Q: Are there scholarships, work-study, or internship opportunities available with the Festival to defray costs of attending?
Yes. When you apply there will be a place to indicate your interest in financial aid or a limited number of internship positions available.
Applying to the Festival
Q: I don’t know how likely I am to get in. Whom do you accept and what do you look for?
A: You will never know if you do not try! We welcome applications from any aspiring or current professional orchestral musician and conductor, at any point in the path of pursuing this career. The orchestra is usually about 65 musicians, about a quarter of whom are accepted as conductors who also play in the orchestra. The majority of our members are studying music in pre-professional and undergraduate degrees, but many participants are already advanced in their pursuit of a musical career and looking for further training or pursuing an interest in conducting. For orchestral musicians, the main prerequisite is a desire to play at a professional level in a symphony orchestra. If you want to get a very concentrated dose of orchestral repertoire in a way that will prepare you to freelance, take auditions, and learn how to prepare an orchestral part efficiently, this is the festival for you
Q: I am a vocalist/guitarist/accordionist/saxophonist aspiring to be a conductor. Can I apply to the Monteux School?
A: Because all conductors are expected to play as part of the orchestral ensemble, we can only consider applications from those who play instruments included in the standard symphony orchestra: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon (auxiliary doubling ability is considered, but saxophone by itself is not considered a standard orchestral instrument), French horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, harp, piano, orchestral percussion, violin, viola, cello, and double bass. Pianist conductors must have a background/familiarity with orchestral piano excerpts (and demonstrate this on their application) and also be willing/able to collaborate on chamber music.
Q: I am a conductor who has a background in an orchestral instrument but have not played my instrument in a while. Should I apply?
A: If you have played repertoire of the level that is demonstrated in the Festival repertoire list and are able to execute standard orchestral excerpts on your instrument, you should definitely consider applying. All conductors must play in the orchestra. In evaluating the strength of an application, we do consider the total strength of the package - both your orchestral playing AND your conducting.
Q: My primary background is as an instrumentalist, but I am interested in conducting. Should I apply?
A: Yes! If you apply as a conductor, you can still opt to be considered for admission as an instrumentalist on the strength of your instrumental playing, even if their conducting experience is still limited. In addition, all conducting instruction at the festival is done in front of the orchestra, masterclass-style, so even if you are not taken into the conducting class and decide to attend the festival as an instrumentalist, you will still benefit from all the instruction, seminars, masterclasses, and the ability to connect with other aspiring conductors. Each year, many of the most engaged members of our festival are orchestral musicians who play at a high level, but want to learn more about what it is like to study conducting. Many of them return for subsequent summers as part of the conducting class.
Q: When is the deadline to apply?
A: January 1 is the deadline for best consideration and the reduced application fee of $60. After January 1, the application fee increases to $100 and applications are considered on a rolling basis, as befits the orchestra’s needs.
Q: I’ve missed the deadline. Should I still apply?
Yes! We consider applications on a rolling basis and often continue to accept musicians well into the new year. If you want to be absolutely sure that there are still spots available in the orchestra for your instrument, you can email us to check before you submit an application.
Q: Do you have an age limit?
A: All participants must be at least 18 at the time of the start of the festival but we do not have an upper age limit.
Q: How much is the tuition?
A: Tuition for Instrumentalists is $1500 and tuition for conductors is $3200. The housing fee is assessed separately and is $500. You will also be liable for a separate $200 housing deposit that will be returned to you upon inspection of our facilities and if everything has been left in the same condition it was found. The fee does not include food during the course of the festival, for which participants are independently responsible.
Campus Life
Q: Do I have to attend all six weeks of the festival?
A: Yes, it is very important that attendees plan to stay for the full six weeks. We cannot accommodate partial attendance.
Q: Do you provide room and board?
A: Housing is provided. We have seven different housing units in varying configurations across our campus. Participants are responsible for buying their own groceries and cooking during the course of the festival. We provide a full kitchen in each facility equipped with pans, utensils, etc.
Q: How close are grocery stores to the Monteux Campus?
A: 9.8 miles is the distance to Ellsworth where there are several large chain grocery stores. In Hancock, we have a convenience store across the street and several other specialty stores in the vicinity.
Q: I do not plan to have a car. How will I be able to get around?
A: Each year we work to ensure that a minimum number of festival musicians attend with cars. Those musicians generally do so expecting that they will be asked to assist their housemates, section mates, roommates etc. to make necessary transportation accommodation.
Q: Do you provide linens, blankets and pillows? What about towels?
A: We provide everything except bedsheets and pillowcases. Please plan to please sheets (and pillowcases) for a twin bed. You are responsible for bringing or obtaining towels.
Q: Do the residences have A/C?
A: Yes. All residences have window A/C units.
Q: Can I get a single room?
A: Most of our facilities are double occupancy rooms. We are not able to guarantee single occupancy lodging.
Miscellaneous
Q: I am a conductor accepted to the Monteux Festival. Do I need to bring all of the scores listed on the repertoire list?
A: We recommend that you make a best effort to obtain as many of the scores as possible. You may bring them in electronic form, or you may ship scores ahead of time. We will assist you in providing avenues to purchase some scores at a reduced price, getting access to rental-only material, and putting you in touch with each other so that you can crowdsource or collectively have access to all scores. You are highly encouraged to obtain your own copies of core repertoire, regardless of whether they may be used this summer or not.
Q: Can I or others mail music or belongings to Monteux ahead of my arrival and during the festival? And what is the best address?
A: Yes. Please use the correct address for the correct shipping service.
USPS Address:
Monteux School and Music Festival
PO Box 457
Hancock, ME 04640
For UPS or FedEx:
Monteux School and Music Festival
13 Captain Bill Road
Hancock, ME 04640