Summer Music Festival: String Institute
July 6 - July 18, 2026
Harp, Strings
Summer
The String Institute offers string players the opportunity to learn, rehearse, and perform challenging and fun music for 2 full weeks, guided by expert Conductors and Teaching Artists. Students from across the Houston area attend, allowing students to meet their peers who love playing a string instrument as much as they do!
Each day begins with music theory, literature, and elective classes that add to students’ musical knowledge. Students then move on to a rotation of rehearsals: string orchestra (there are 4 levels of string orchestra in this session) in preparation for a final performance, instrument sectionals to hone the details of the music within their section, and chamber music, which offers young musicians the unparalleled experience of rehearsing and performing in a small ensemble with customized guidance from a dedicated Teaching Artist.
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.
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.
Sample Daily Schedule
8:30-9:00 – Music Theory Class
9:05-9:35 – Elective: Conducting
9:40-10:10 – Music Literature Class
10:30-11:25 – Section Rehearsal
11:30-12:25 – Chamber Music Rehearsal
12:25-1:15 – Lunch
1:20-3:15 – String Orchestra Rehearsal