June 30 – August 4, 2024
Seth Knopp, Artistic Director
Yellow Barn's core program is a five-week intensive summer chamber music program for outstanding students and young professionals. Participants explore chamber music repertoire with an internationally renowned faculty, rehearsing and performing together in 20 concerts at the Big Barn, Yellow Barn's intimate concert hall in Putney, Vermont. Repertoire ranges from the Baroque period to the present day, and often affords participants the opportunity of working with visiting composers. Participants are housed, share their meals, and have access to rehearsal and practice studios on Yellow Barn's summer campus at The Greenwood School.
Activities for pre-formed ensembles will be tailored to the needs of each group invited to participate. Performance opportunities for the ensemble, and the involvement of its individual members in projects outside the ensemble, will be determined accordingly. Ensembles should be full-time groups who have been performing together for a minimum of one year, and who have the shared desire to establish themselves as a lasting entity. All instrumental combinations are considered.
Yellow Barn alumni have founded and joined major chamber ensembles, are members of the world's finest orchestras, and are respected educators in the music world. Yellow Barn alumni ensembles include eighth blackbird, So Percussion, Due East, and the Ariel, Chiara, Jupiter, and Parker Quartets.
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Yellow Barn has moved its online admissions process to Acceptd. Here’s why:
- Applicants can apply for a fee waiver, which we haven't been able to offer previously
- Applicants can change audition times themselves as often as needed
- Applicants do not have to collect letters of recommendation directly. Recommenders will use the Acceptd site to submit information.
- Applicants can switch programs without having to reenter application information
- Applicants can store information for future applications with any festival or school that uses the Acceptd platform.
If you have questions about how to apply for a fee waiver, or any other aspect of Acceptd, please contact Melody Lin, Admissions Coordinator, at melody@yellowbarn.org.
2024 Application Deadlines
Live Auditions in Europe—January 3*
Live Auditions in US and Canada—January 24*
Video Auditions—January 30
*Late applications for live auditions will be considered if space is available.
Fees (non-refundable and due with application)
Application Fee: $95 for individuals; $120 for ensembles (fee increases by $10 after December 20 for Europe, or after January 10 for all other auditions)
All participants receive a full scholarship to cover tuition, room, and board.
Auditions
Audition Requirements
Applicants should prepare two works, or substantial movements from two works, that make different technical and interpretive demands on you as a player.
Strings and Winds: Audition selections can include duo sonatas or concertos, but must be presented with piano parts or orchestral reductions. Applicants must perform with their own pianists.
Vocalists: Applicants should prepare a program of at least 15 minutes in length, and must perform with their own pianists.
Video Auditions
Live auditions are strongly encouraged. However, if you are unable to travel to a live audition location, video applications are acceptable. Applicants should submit a video recording of three works, or substantial movements from three works. For pieces with accompaniment, applicants must perform with their own pianists.
For more information about Yellow Barn's unique program, please read our educational philosophy.
Please note: If you are 20 years old or younger, please visit the page for our Young Artists Program.
Audition schedule for 2024:
Basel - January 7
Berlin - January 14
London - January 24
Philadelphia - January 27
Baltimore - January 28
New York City - January 29-30, February 6-7
Boston - January 31 - Feb 2
Chicago - February 4
New Haven - February 8 (YSM students only!)
Montreal - February 15
San Francisco - February 17
Los Angeles - February 18
Yellow Barn Faculty to include:
Violin
Curtis Macomber
Anthony Marwood
Donald Weilerstein
Viola
Krzysztof Chorzelski
Nicholas Mann
Cello
Natasha Brofsky
Luise Buchberger
Laurence Lesser*
Jean-Michel Fonteneau
John Myerscough
Yellow Barn does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or veteran status in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, employment policies, scholarship and loan programs, or other Yellow Barn-sponsored activities.