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 3 days 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).

Looking for information about tuition assistance, scholarships, and discounts? Read all about the opportunities offered.

Transportation Partnerships: AFA and area school district Fine Arts departments engage in partnerships each year to benefit young musicians across the area. Free bus transportation to and from AFA is provided by Fine Arts departments for its enrolled students, while AFA provides free programming to schools in exchange. Thank you to our 2025 partners: Fort Bend ISD, Klein ISD, and Lamar CISD, who will all provide transportation for the duration of the Festival and Humble ISD, who will provide transportation the weeks of July 7 and 14 (this covers String Institute, Piano Arts Workshop, and Composition Intensive Session 2, plus the last week of the Piano Arts Intensive and Orchestra & Chamber Music Intensive). Check back for more updates!

2025 AFA Summer Music Festival Session Dates

UPDATE (May 2): An additional audition date has been added for Saturday, May 17th for sessions that have space available.
See which sessions are still open to applications below and apply today!
Check back here for further updates, announcements, and further information.
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Instrumentalists

Orchestra & Chamber Music Intensive: June 21 – July 12; applications remain open for violin, flute, oboe, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, harp, percussion
Orchestra & Chamber Music Workshop: June 14 – 28; applications remain open for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, euphonium, tuba, percussion
String Institute: July 7 – 19; applications remain open for violin, viola, cello, bass, harp

Pianists

Piano Arts Intensive: June 21 – July 12; this session is now closed
Piano Arts Workshop: July 7 – 19; contact AFA about availability

Composers

Composition Intensive: June 16 – July 3 (Session 1); July 7 – 18 (Session 2); these sessions remain open to new applications through May 15th

Summer Music Festival: Composition 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: 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: 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 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!

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.

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