Programs

Summer Music Festival Overview

The AFA Summer Music Festival offers intensive music-making experiences and camaraderie in a supportive environment for Houston’s young musicians and has been a part of the community for 30 years. 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 includes sessions for musicians finishing grades 3-12 that last between 1 and 5 weeks; including large and small ensembles, technique classes, masterclasses, studio classes, sectional rehearsals, music theory, ear training, and other enrichment studies. On top of the musical skills and knowledge gained, students also benefit from the diverse group of young musicians from across the Greater Houston area. Each session includes 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).

2024 AFA Summer Music Festival Session Dates

Click on each session for more detailed information, or use the Programs page to find your session by age and instrument.

Applications will open on January 31, 2024, with audition information to follow.

Instrumentalists

Orchestra & Chamber Music Intensive: June 15 – July 6
Orchestra & Chamber Music Workshop: June 15 – June 29
String Ensembles Institute: July 6 – July 20
Wind & Brass Workshop: July 6 – July 20

Pianists

Piano Arts Intensive: June 15 – July 6
Intermediate Piano Arts: July 6 – July 20

Composers

Composition Studio Intensive: June 15 – July 19
Composition Studio Boot Camp: June 15 – June 28

Vocalists

Vocal Arts Intensive: June 24 – July 3

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 Studio Boot Camp

The Boot Camp session is a two-week program 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 Workshop

The Wind & Brass Workshop offers its participants two weeks of learning, practicing, and rehearsing in concert band, instrument-section classes, and small chamber music ensembles, plus music theory and enrichment classes. 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: Vocal Artist Intensive

Develop your skills as a young artist in a positive, supportive environment during the AFA Summer Music Festival’s session for vocalists.

Summer Music Festival: Intermediate Piano Arts

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 Ensembles Institute

The String Ensembles 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.

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