Summer Music Festival: Orchestra & Chamber Music Intensive
June 20 - July 11, 2026
Brass, Harp, Percussion, Strings, Woodwind
Summer
The Orchestra & Chamber Music Intensive is a conservatory-style experience for motivated and passionate high school musicians from across the Houston area.
Participants in this session form the AFA Symphony Orchestra, which performs two full-length concerts led by world-class conductors in local concert venues; AFA’s expert Teaching Artists guide students through the orchestral repertoire in daily section rehearsals.
Chamber music is an important aspect of this session, giving every student the opportunity to work in a chamber music group that will meet daily with their dedicated Teaching Artist coach. Studying in a chamber music group provides musical challenge, individualized instruction, and honing of skills in teamwork and communication, plus performance practice and a session-end recital.
Intensive students take part in daily music theory and elective classes. Select string players are invited to be a member of the AFA String Chamber Orchestra, which prepares and performs repertoire for smaller chamber orchestra as their elective. Applicants to the Intensive are also encouraged to participate in the AFA Concerto Competition, held in May, for a chance to perform solo with the AFA Symphony Orchestra.
This session is the perfect opportunity for those seeking a musically challenging and enriching experience that allows them to spend each day immersed in music.
Did you know? AFA offers tuition assistance for students who may not be able to afford the full amount; learn more here. Additional tuition discounts are available for returning students and All State musicians.
District Transportation Partnerships
Through partnership with AFA, select school district Fine Arts departments in the area will provide bus transportation between a central location in their respective districts and AFA for students enrolled in their districts. Confirmed Partners for 2026 are Fort Bend ISD (now with multiple stops), Humble ISD (two stops), Klein ISD, and Lamar Consolidated ISD. If you are enrolled in any of the districts listed, you are eligible to receive free transportation to and from AFA.
2026 AFA Symphony Orchestra Repertoire
Gabriela Lena Frank, Three Latin American Dances
Maria Grenfell, Rock Hopping
Sergei Rachmaninoff, Symphonic Dances
Giuseppe Verdi, Nabucco Overture
Sample Daily Schedule
8:30-10:50am – Symphony Orchestra Rehearsal
11:00-11:45am – Music Theory Class
11:45am-12:25pm – Lunch
12:30-1:25pm – Symphony Orchestra Rehearsal
1:30-2:50pm – String Chamber Music/Winds, Brass, Percussion Sectionals
3:10-4:30pm – String Sectionals/Winds, Brass Percussion Chamber Music
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to our email list to stay in the loop!
Applications are open now! Click here for details about the application process
2026 Orchestra & Chamber Music Intensive Teaching Artists
Concerto Competition
The Annual AFA Concerto Competition is open to students who attending the Orchestra & Chamber Music Intensive or Piano Arts Intensive session of the AFA Summer Music Festival.
One Grand Prize winner will be chosen after a preliminary and a final round.
- Must complete the AFA Summer Music Festival application and audition process; must audition no later than April 18th; must be offered admission into their applicable session and confirm their intent to attend the 2026 Summer Music Festival by April 25, 2026.
- Will complete the AFA Concerto Competition Entry Form by April 18th through the AFA Dashboard.
- Must be available to compete in the preliminary round in person the morning of Saturday, May 2nd at Garza Studios. A schedule will be set once the application has closed.
- Must be available to compete in the Final round (should they advance) the morning of Saturday, May 16th at Garza Studios
- The competition piece should be one movement of a concerto (or a single movement work) for solo instrument and orchestra.
- The orchestral accompaniment to the concerto must be appropriate for an advanced youth orchestra, and score and parts must be readily available for rental or purchase by AFA.
- Performances in both preliminary and final rounds must be memorized.
- Soloists will perform unaccompanied in the preliminary round and accompanied by piano for the final round.
- Questions about repertoire choices should be directed to Amanda Heathco at AFA.
Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Harp
Woodwinds: Flute, Oboe, B-flat Clarinet, Bassoon
Brass: French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba Symphony Orchestra; Chamber Music; Instrument Sectionals; Music Theory & Electives; Concert Performances
8:30am-4:30pm (Monday through Friday)
Sat., June 20: Opening Day, 8:30-4:30
Wed., July 1: Evening Orchestra Concert
Fri., July 3: Early Dismissal
Thurs., July 9: Evening Chamber Music Recital
Sat., July 11: Afternoon Orchestra Concert