Summer Music Festival: Piano Arts Intensive

June 15 - July 6, 2024

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 Faculty Artists. The Piano Arts Intensive session (formerly known as Senior Piano) 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. Plus, students who attended the 2023 Summer Music Festival receive a discount of $25.00.

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. April 1st update: Fort Bend ISD, Klein ISD, and Lamar Consolidated will offer transportation during this session; CyFair ISD will offer transportation for the weeks of June 17 and 24.

Applications for the 2024 Summer Music Festival are open! Start Here.

Apply

Summer Music Festival: Piano Arts Intensive Faculty

Concerto Competition

The 27th Annual AFA Concerto Competition is open to students who will attend the Orchestra & Chamber Music Intensive or Piano Arts Intensive session of the 2024 AFA Summer Music Festival.

One winner will be chosen after a preliminary and a final round.

The 2024 Grand Prize Winner will perform their chosen piece in concert with the AFA Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Clif Evans, on July 6th, 2024 and will be awarded a cash prize of $750.00.

Eligible Students

  • Must complete the AFA Summer Music Festival application and audition process, offered admission into their applicable session and confirm their intent to attend the 2024 Summer Music Festival by April 26, 2024.
  • Will complete the AFA Concerto Competition Entry Form by April 26th through the AFA Dashboard.
  • Must be available to compete in the preliminary round in person on Saturday, May 4th 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) on Saturday, May 18th at Garza Studios
  • Previous Grand Prize winners are not eligible to compete

Repertoire

  • 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.

Final Round

  • All preliminary round competitors will be notified if they have advanced to the Final round by Monday, May 6th.
  • Final round competitors may perform accompanied by a pianist of their choosing; if a competitor does not have access to an accompanist, AFA will assist in securing one for rehearsal and performance (the competitor is responsible for their payment and for providing the piano score)
  • The Final round will be held in person on Saturday, May 18th and will be recorded
8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Open to pianists grades 8–12 (for the 2023-2024 school year) who have been studying with a private teacher for at least 3 years. 8th graders should use the audition guidelines to determine which session is appropriate. Solo Study; Guided Practice and Lessons; Chamber Music; Studio Classes; Music Theory & Elective Classes; Solo & Chamber Music Recitals
June 15 - July 6, 2024
8:30 am - 4:30 pm (M-F, plus June 15)
Performances: July 3 (chamber music, evening); July 6 (solo, mid-day)
Closed June 19 and July 4 March 24; April 6, 13, 14; May 4 (See Audition page for details) 3 weeks: $1,000 + $35 enrollment fee

Kinder HSPVA
790 Austin Street
Houston, TX 77002