National Music Festival

Welcome to the application page for the National Music Festival in Chestertown, MD. All accepted apprentices receive free tuition and housing!

The National Music Festival takes place in the beautiful historic town of Chestertown, MD. NMF offers apprenticeships in all orchestral instruments, collaborative piano, classical guitar, conducting, arts administration, recording engineering, and music library. Our mission is to advances the lives and careers of promising musicians by providing access to world-class education and performance opportunities. 

NMF combines world-class mentor musicians and gifted young professional “apprentices” for an intense Festival experience the first two weeks of each June. All apprentices receive free tuition and housing (mostly in private homes). Mentors and apprentices rehearse and perform together in orchestral and chamber music repertoire, presenting over 30 concerts and 200 free open rehearsals. Chestertown is a welcoming community, where you will find enthusiastic audiences and make new friends. 

Programming
As of this date programming for the festival is progressing.  We expect to perform Mahler Symphony No. 4, Mahler Songs from Des Knaben Wunderhorn, Berg Concerto for Violin, Mussorgsky/Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition, and many other works. This section will be updated when our plans are complete.

National Music Festival 2024: June 1-15
Arrival: May 31 (evening) or June 1 (morning), 2024
(Please note: arrival is earlier for conducting and arts administration apprentices.)
Departure: June 16, 2024

Application Fees and Deadlines are are follows for all disciplines except conducting:

$45 through December 31, 2023

$70 from January 1, 2023 through February 10, 2024

$95 from February 11, 2024 until all spots have been filled

Application Fees and Deadlines are are follows for conducting applicants:

$70 through December 31, 2023

$95 from January 1, 2024 through February 10, 2024

$120 from February 11, 2024 until all spots have been filled

After February 10, 2024, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all spots have been filled. We expect some sections to fill up quickly after February 10, and highly recommend that you apply before then.

Eligibility
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age by June 1, 2024. There is no upper age limit. 

International Students
NMF welcomes international students! Please be aware that we are not able to provide visa advice. 

Additional information can be found on our website, www.nationalmusic.us. Contact info: info@nationalmusic.us/443-480-0221.

For technical questions, please visit the Acceptd Help Desk.