July 6 - August 10, 2025
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 two years, 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.
********
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.
2025 Application Timeline
November 1: Audition schedule posted and applications online
January-February: Live auditions in Europe, UK, Canada, and the United States
March 1: Results announced
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 different works, that make distinct technical and interpretive demands.
Strings and Winds: Audition selections can include duo sonatas or concertos, but must be presented with piano parts or orchestral reductions. Applicants must provide their own pianists according to repertoire needs.
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 three works, or substantial movements from three works. For pieces with accompaniment, applicants must perform with their own pianists. Videos must be uncut and unedited.
Please note: If you are 20 years old or younger, please visit the page for our Young Artists Program.