Summer Music Festival: Piano Arts Intensive
June 20 - July 11, 2026
Piano
Summer
Pianists at AFA’s Summer Music Festival have the unique opportunity to learn and progress as soloists and to work with peer musicians in chamber music, studio classes, and more, including music theory and elective classes, all led by expert Teaching Artists. The Piano Arts Intensive is 3 weeks long and enrolls up to 10 pianists. Highlights include participation in chamber music with peers from the strings department, in-depth studio classes focusing on solo work, and ample guided practice sessions; select students will also have the chance to perform with the AFA Symphony Orchestra. This session is the perfect opportunity for young musicians who are looking for a musically challenging and enriching experience that allows them to spend each day immersed in music. Applicants to this session are also invited to enter the annual AFA Concerto Competition (see below for information).
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 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.
Sample Daily Schedule
8:30-9:30am – Guided Individual Practice
9:45-10:50am – Studio Class
11:00-11:45am – Music Theory Class
11:45am-12:25pm – Lunch
12:30-1:30pm – Guided Individual Practice
1:30-2:50pm – Chamber Music
3:10-4:30pm – Studio Class
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Applications are open now! Click here for details about the application process
Summer Music Festival: 2026 Piano Arts Intensive Faculty
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.
8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday through Friday
Sat., June 20: Opening Day, 8:30-4:30
Fri., July 3: Early Dismissal
Thur., July 9: Evening Chamber Music Recital
Sat., July 11: Afternoon Piano Recital