Summer Institute Music

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July 10–July 28, 2023

Three weeks
Three college credits
Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. & evening studio hours

Work with UArts faculty and master-level musicians in our state-of-the-art facilities in Philadelphia, a city with deep-seated musical roots and cultural history. Whether you’re an instrumentalist or a vocalist, you’ll explore techniques and repertoire with an emphasis on improvisation and performance while uncovering a range of creative possibilities through ensembles, lessons, workshops and jam sessions.

Over the course of two weeks, you’ll take up to four classes per day, collaborate with Dance students, and attend and participate in live performances.

Students are accepted into the program in one of the following performance areas: Bass (upright or electric), Drums, Vibraphone, Voice, Guitar, Piano, all woodwind and brass instruments.

Student Experience

Join our creative community this summer and experience master classes, improvisation sessions, performances and more!

Student Experience

Join our creative community this summer and experience master classes, improvisation sessions, performances and more!

Music students gather around their instructor at the piano

Music students rehearse in small ensembles

A singer and bassist rehearse in the classroom

A music instructor teaches the class while pointing at a white board with music notes

A guitarist rehearses in front of a piano

A pianist plays while dancers rehearse in the studio

A vocalist and saxophone player perform on stage

The trombone section rehearses in the classroom

The saxophone section rehearses their music

A singer and their instructor discuss music while looking at the music stand

A drummer rehearses with their small ensemble

Overview

UArts’ state-of-the-art music facilities will host this generation’s brightest young musicians as they gain invaluable experience in a creative, live performance setting. Philadelphia has deep-seated music roots—transformative figures like Billie Holiday, the Roots, John Coltrane, Kurt Vile and Questlove have called it home—making the city the perfect place for you to explore music.

During the program, you'll work with both legacy and newly commissioned works in ensembles, improvisation sessions and special concerts. Masterclasses with notable visiting artists will help you hone your musicianship. Additionally, you’ll take trips to experience live music and you’ll have the opportunity to work with dancers to explore the space where music and movement interact.

At the end of this program, students will

acquire new skills and confidence as a musician to support future auditions.
create connections to both a network of peers and actively touring and recording professional musicians.
work in an ensemble to foster musicianship, creativity and collaboration.
demonstrate a richer understanding and appreciation of different styles of music making.

Programming

Core Classes

You’ll participate in the following courses.

Lessons

Working within small instrumental and vocal lesson groups, you will focus on developing technique, phrasing, repertoire, interpretation, improvisation and sight-reading skills on your primary instrument or your voice.

Improvisation

Become a stronger performer by working closely with faculty to build your musical vocabulary, sense of rhythm and ear training skills, all while refining your voice as an improviser.

History

Studying the major movements in Jazz and popular music throughout the past century, students gain a better understanding of the music, artists, ideas and social-historical contexts from where this music developed.

Music Theory

Students will study intervals, scales, arpeggios, chord construction, as well as the musical scores of the great composers from the jazz and popular traditions.

Small Ensemble

Students work alongside their peers in a smaller band setting to interpret and harmonize melodies, improvise, communicate and play as a cohesive ensemble. Music will include a mix of repertoire specifically chosen for your ensemble.

Large Ensemble

Each student will play and/or sing in an ensemble focused on the dynamics and musical approach to performing in a large group setting. Performances of these ensembles will take place on the last day of the program.

Masterclass

Each afternoon a guest artist will teach a masterclass. These artists are sought-after composers and performers from a variety of musical backgrounds, all actively involved with their craft at the highest levels in their fields.

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Monday

9–10 a.m. Instrument Workshop
10:30–11:30 a.m. Small Ensemble
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Music Theory or History
1:30.–2:30 p.m. Improvisation
2:30–3:30 p.m. Large Ensemble
3:30–5:15 p.m. Big Band, Vocal Ensemble or Rhythm Workshop

Tuesday

9–10 a.m. Instrument Workshop
10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Small Ensemble
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Music Theory or History
1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. Improvisation
2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. Large Ensemble
3:30–4:45 p.m. Masterclass
5–5:45 p.m Improv Jam Session

Wednesday

9–10 a.m. Instrument Workshop
10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Small Ensemble
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Music Theory or History
1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. Improvisation
2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. Large Ensemble
3:30–4:45 p.m. Masterclass
5–7:00 p.m. Evening Ensemble Performance

Thursday

9–10 a.m. Instrument Workshop
10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Small Ensemble
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Music Theory or History
1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. Improvisation
2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. Large Ensemble
3:30–4:45 p.m. Masterclass
5–5”45 p.m. Jam Session

Friday

9–10 a.m. Instrument Workshop
10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Small Ensemble
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Music Theory or History
1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. Improvisation
2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. Large Ensemble
3:30–4:45 p.m. Masterclass

Saturday

Optional off-campus field trip

Note: Students break for lunch between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. every day. Some evening activities are part of this program’s curriculum. Commuters should plan accordingly.

Faculty

Students in the Music program work with professional musicians. Many of our faculty teach in the degree programs at UArts. Our expert instructors are seasoned educators and dedicated artists who enjoy sharing their expertise and collaborating with the next generation of musicians.

Mark Allen

Saxophone/Woodwind Department Chair

Music - Instrumental Performance (BM)

Steve Beskrone

Bass Department Chair

Music - Instrumental Performance (BM)

Matt Davis

Guitar Department Chair

Music - Instrumental Performance (BM)

Liz Radigonda

MM '07; Vocal Performance Program Director

Music - Vocal Performance (BM)

Past guest artists have included

Ralph Alessi Marcus Belgrave Wayne Bergeron Brian Blade Randy Brecker Jimmy Bruno Steve Coleman Robin Eubanks Dwayne Eubanks Orrin Evans Jonathan Finlayson Matt Garrison Maria Grand Doug Hammond Gregory Hutchinson	Joe Magnarelli Vijay Iyer Rudresh Mahanthappa Pat Martino Wayne Krantz Linda Oh Joanna Pascale John Patitucci Dafnis Prieto Venissa Santi Tyshawn Sorey John Swana Sumi Tanooka Gerald Veasley

How to Apply

Our Summer Institute 2024 application will open soon.

Application Requirements

Complete the Summer Institute application.
Submit a pre-recorded audition.
- See below for specific video audition requirements by performance area/instrument.
Pay the $15 application fee.

Video Audition Requirements

All applicants must submit recordings as part of their application for admission. See below for specific video audition requirements by performance area or instrument.

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The following pieces are required in your recorded video audition.

An introduction including your name, school, grade, city and state, and what you will be playing.
A prepared selection of one of the following works. You should play at a medium tempo with standard or alternate chord changes. The accompaniment may be live or recorded. You may play an optional 3–4 choruses of improvisation. Bassists must also walk a bass line for two choruses. Pianists, guitarists and vibraphonists must also comp for two choruses. Drummers must play time for two choruses.
- “Billie’s Bounce” by Charlie Parker
- “Straight, No Chaser” by Thelonius Monk
- “Sandu” by Clifford Brown
A sight reading exercise: Click on the sight reading exercise for your instrument. If two options are listed, pick one of the two.
Optional self selection: Perform an additional piece of your choice. Improvisation is optional.

The following pieces are required in your recorded video audition.

An introduction including your name, school, grade, city and state, and what you will be playing.
Recording of prepared selections
- Select two musical selections of different styles and sing the melody. Improvisation is optional. Recording can be a cappella or with a backing track.
A sight reading exercise: Click on the sight reading exercise below.
- Vocalist sight reading

Tuition and Fees

Tuition: $3,400
Program Fee: $150
Housing and Meals: $1,425

Commuter Total: $3,550
Residential Total: $4,975

Supplies

Students are expected to bring supplies with them or purchase them once they arrive on campus. Supply lists will be shared one month before the program starts, with cost estimates.

Spending and Miscellaneous Expenses

Students spend an average of $80–$100 per week on additional items including laundry, snacks, personal spending and non-required supplies.

Scholarships

Scholarships for the Summer Institute are awarded to students in high academic standing with significant creative potential and financial need. Scholarship awards are competitive. Students are able to apply for either a merit- or need-based scholarship.

Learn about Summer Institute scholarships.