Programs
Summer Music Festival Overview
The AFA Summer Music Festival, a part of our community for 30 years, offers intensive music-making experiences and camaraderie in a supportive environment for Houston’s young musicians. Led by Teaching Artists who are outstanding performers and educators, students make noteworthy progress – both musically and personally – that will impact them well into the future.
The Summer Music Festival is for musicians finishing grades 3-12; sessions last between 1 and 5 weeks and include large and small ensembles, technique classes, masterclasses, studio classes, sectional rehearsals, music theory, ear training, performances, and much more. On top of the musical skills and knowledge gained, students also benefit from working alongside a diverse group of young musicians from across the Greater Houston area, all bringing their musicianship and experiences together each day. All Summer Music Festival sessions include performances that make up the AFA Summer Concert Series, a free and family-friendly concert series. Students in the Orchestra & Chamber Music Intensive and Piano Arts Intensive sessions are invited to take part in the Annual AFA Concerto Competition for the chance to perform with the AFA Symphony Orchestra (more information is available on each session’s page).
2025 AFA Summer Music Festival Session Dates
Applications will open February 1st, 2025. In the meantime, check back here for updates, announcements, and further information.
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Instrumentalists
Orchestra & Chamber Music Intensive: June 21 – July 12
Orchestra & Chamber Music Workshop: June 14 – 28
String Institute: July 7 – 19
Wind & Brass Boot Camp: June 16 – 18
Pianists
Piano Arts Intensive: June 21 – July 12
Piano Arts Workshop: July 7 – 19
Composers
Composition Intensive: June 16 – July 3 (Session 1); July 7 – 18 (Session 2)
Composition Boot Camp: June 16 – 18
Summer Music Festival: Composition Studio Intensive
The Intensive is a one-of-a-kind, pre-professional experience for young composers taking place over five weeks and featuring in-depth writing projects in collaboration with some of Houston’s premier arts organizations, including Houston Ballet. The Composition Studio Intensive is an unparalleled opportunity for local young composers!
Summer Music Festival: Composition Boot Camp
The Boot Camp session is a three day introductory session focusing on the development of fundamental music skills and the student’s creative voice, offering instruction in technique, instrumentation, music theory and more.
Summer Music Festival: Orchestra & Chamber Music Intensive
The Orchestra & Chamber Music Intensive is a conservatory-style experience for motivated and passionate high school musicians from across the Houston area. Activities include symphony orchestra, chamber music, music theory and electives, and performances.
Summer Music Festival: Orchestra & Chamber Music Workshop
The Orchestra & Chamber Music Workshop features symphonic orchestra tailored to advanced younger players, offering a unique experience for this age group, plus chamber music, music theory and electives.
Summer Music Festival: Wind & Brass Boot Camp
The Wind & Brass Boot Camp offers its participants three days of learning and deepening their skills and techniques on their instrument. Students from across the Houston area attend, allowing students to meet their peers who love playing an instrument as much as they do!
Summer Music Festival: Piano Arts Workshop
Take your playing to the next level at AFA year round by developing skills not only as a soloist but also as a collaborative pianist and musician. Piano at AFA includes solo work, chamber music, and much more.
Summer Music Festival: String Institute
The String Institute offers string players the opportunity to learn, rehearse, and perform challenging and fun music for 2 full weeks, guided by expert Faculty 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!
Summer Music Festival: Piano Arts Intensive
Take your playing to the next level at AFA year round by developing skills not only as a soloist but also as a collaborative pianist and musician. Piano at AFA includes solo work, chamber music, and much more.