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About the Institute

 UGA's Summer Music Institute boasts a performance-intensive curriculum serving advanced students who are seriously considering music as a major area of study in college. All Summer Music Institute participants will perform in a chamber ensemble coached by Institute faculty and Students will also have the opportunity to choose an elective class designed for the advanced musician. Concentrations include chorus, band, orchestra, piano, and guitar.

Several criteria are at play in the selection of the most serious musicians for the Summer Music Institute.  Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors will be considered for the experience.  Musicians who have been selected as members of All-State Band, Orchestra, Choir,  orJazz Band ; Governor’s Schools; regional youth orchestras; and Wind ensembles will receive strong consideration for acceptance into the Summer Music Institute.

Auditions

Students will be considered based upon faculty evaluation of a recorded audition. The recording should submitted as an unlisted YouTube video through the UGA Summer Music Institute submission form. Instructions on how to create an unlisted video can be found here. 

Audition Requirements: 
  • Wind and String players should include a lyrical and technical selections of the applicant's choice. 
  • Percussionists should plan on submitting recordings that feature selections on mallets, snare, and timpani. 
  • Vocalists should include two selections of their choice. The applicants selections may demonstrate different vocal styles. 
  • Pianists should submit a selection that demonstrates literature that they have performed or studied.

Additionally, a recommendation letter from either the student's school music director or their private teacher must be submitted by the application deadline. Letters may be emailed to [email protected] (please attach as a PDF file with recommender's signature).

Tuition & Fees

Tuition

  • Day Campers: $500.00* 
    • Includes lunch and dinner
  • Dorm Campers: $600.00*
    • Includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and housing
*Note: The $50 non-refundable application fee payable upon application counts toward the cost of tuition.

Private Lessons (Optional)

Private lessons with Hugh Hodgson School of Music faculty are optional. If desired, add the appropriate fee for one or two lessons to the base cost of tuition.
  • One Session (60 minutes): $60.00 
    • Piano students are encouraged to take one lesson.

Ensembles & Faculty 

June 7-11, 2026

April 1, 2026
Application Deadline
(All audition materials due)

April 15, 2026
Acceptance Notification

May 13, 2026
Final Payment and Forms Due

June 7, 2026
Institute Registration

June 11, 2026
Final Concerts

Application 

​​Information Packet (available spring 26)

Age Requirements

All Institute participants must be rising 10th graders or older.

Questions?

Schedule of Events

Below is a brief outline of the schedule during the  UGA Summer Music Institute. The outline illustrates the class periods particularly for the band, orchestra, and chorus students. Pianists and guitarists will follow a similar class schedule, but will have classes instead of large ensemble rehearsals.

  • Sunday
    • 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Registration​
    • 5:30 PM - Dinner
    • 7:00 PM - Institute Orientation Meeting
    • 7:45 PM- Ensemble Rehearsal
  • Monday , Tuesday, and Wednesday 
    • 7:15 AM - Breakfast
    • 8:15 AM - Institute Elective Class
    • 9:45 AM - Ensemble Rehearsal
    • 11:15 AM - Chamber Ensembles
    • 12:15 PM - Lunch
    • 1:30 PM - Ensemble Rehearsal
    • 2:45 PM - Masterclass
    • 4:00 PM - Recitals (Faculty, Staff, and Honors Recitals)
    • 5:45 PM - Dinner
    • 7:00 PM - Ensemble Rehearsal​
  • Thursday
    • 7:15 AM - Breakfast
    • 8:15 AM - Institute Elective
    • 9:45 AM - Ensemble Rehearsal​
    • 11:15 AM - Lunch​
    • 1:00 PM - Concerts Begin (Dorm check out follows your concert)

Apply Now

We can't wait to have you on board for this summer's experience! Apply online using the links below.  The entire application, including required forms and fees, must be submitted by the deadline. 

Required Forms

Safety first! As a part of your application, we will need the consent of your parent or guardian, and some other important details required by UGA policy. Please complete and submit all the documents in the online link below.