Ravinia Steans Music Institute, Ravinia Festival

The Ravinia Steans Music Institute (RSMI) is an international destination for young professional classical 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 1,600 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 2024 summer season.

The Bridges Composition Competition “bridges” 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 reviewed by pianist Billy Childs, bassist Rufus Reid, and saxophonist Steve Wilson.

Bridges Dates 2024
Arrival: Tuesday, June 4, 2024
Program Dates: June 5 - 11, 2024
Departure: Wednesday, June 12, 2024

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 29 violinists, violists, cellists, and pianists gather for immersive and intensive rehearsals and coachings with a rotating roster of some of the world’s finest artists and pedagogues. While acceptance is highly selective, RSMI strives to foster a supportive, collegial, non-competitive environment for study and performance.

**New in Summer of 2024: RSMI will accept applications for a Collaborative Piano Fellowship, focusing on duo performance**

Program for Piano & Strings Dates 2024
Arrival: Saturday, June 22, 2024
Program Dates: June 23 - July 24, 2024
Departure: Thursday, July 25, 2024

The Program for Singers offers a unique setting for 15 classical singers to delve deeply into the vast repertoire of art song. Fellows 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 2024
Arrival: Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Program Dates: July 31 - August 24, 2024
Departure: Sunday, August 25, 2024

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