Ravinia Steans Music Institute, Ravinia Festival

Founded in 1988, the Ravinia Steans Music Institute is an international destination for young professional pianists and string players, classical singers, and jazz musicians devoted to uniquely honing and advancing their talents as collaborative artists. Since opening its doors, the Steans Music Institute has offered private coaching, master classes, and performance opportunities to over 1,500 exceptional musicians, many of whom have cultivated highly visible and successful careers in performance, leadership, and music education. The Ravinia Steans Music Institute has three unique programs open for applications for the 2023 summer season.

Established in honor of the Ravinia Steans Music Institute’s 30th Anniversary, the Bridges Composition Competition ventures to “bridge” the genres of two of RSMI’s main programs—jazz and classical chamber music—through a call to composers (ages 18–30) across the globe for new works written for string quartet and jazz trio. Up to three winners are selected annually to receive the David Baker Prize, $2,500, the opportunity to workshop their compositions and have their piece premiered in Ravinia's Bennett Gordon Hall. Submissions will be juried by pianist Billy Childs, bassist Rufus Reid, and saxophonist Steve Wilson.

Bridges Dates 2023
Arrival: Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Program Dates: May 31 - June 6, 2023
Departure: Wednesday, June 7, 2023

The Program for Piano & Strings concentrates on interpretation and small-group collaboration through the practice and performance of classical sonata and chamber repertoire. Up to 35 violinists, violists, cellists, pianists, and members of pre-existing chamber groups gather for five weeks of immersive and intensive rehearsals and coachings with a rotating roster of some of the world’s finest teaching artists. While acceptance is highly selective, RSMI strives to foster a supportive, collegial, non-competitive environment for study and performance.

Program for Piano & Strings Dates 2023
Arrival: Saturday, June 17, 2023
Program Dates: June 19 - July 22, 2023
Departure: Sunday, July 23, 2023

The Program for Singers offers a unique setting for 15 classical singers to delve deeply into the vast repertoire of art song for three weeks. Fellows are paired with staff collaborative pianists to work with a faculty of distinguished musicians, pedagogues, and scholars on varied aspects of vocal performance, including style, technique, language, diction, dramaturgy, and career preparation. Performance opportunities include a mix of public master classes with world-renowned guest artists, concerts programmed from repertoire chosen by fellows, and concerts curated by RSMI's faculty. While acceptance is highly selective, the Steans Music Institute strives to foster a supportive, collegial, non-competitive environment for study and performance.

Program for Singers Dates 2023
Arrival: Thursday, July 27, 2023
Program Dates: July 28 - August 19, 2023
Departure: Sunday, August 20, 2023

For questions, clarification, or concerns, email institute@ravinia.org.