Chamber Music Institute

"The earth has music for those who listen" ~ William Shakespeare

Program Overview

The Chamber Music Institute of the Emerald Coast Chamber Music Festival was created to provide students with the highest quality musical experience in an inspiring environment. The program is open to string instrumentalists and pianists seeking to further refine their craft and experience a professional chamber music setting.

Held at Northwest Florida State College's Mattie Kelly Arts Center, students will have the opportunity to challenge themselves in a state-of-the-art facility that is home to multiple art disciplines, and serves the Emerald Coast Region. The campus itself is within minutes of numerous nature trails, and the community of Niceville is only a short drive to the most beautiful beaches of the United States in Fort Walton and Destin.

Program Highlights

Daily chamber rehearsals at Northwest Florida State College facilities

Multiple coachings and lessons with Artist Faculty

Masterclass opportunities with Guest Artists

Performance opportunities at the college and throughout the Emerald Coast region.

Application for Admission

Program dates:

May 24th - June 3rd, 2024

The Chamber Music Institute is open to pianists, violinists, violists, and cellists who are

at least 18 years of age and older (no maximum age limit).

Application Requirements:
Please complete the Emerald Coast Chamber Music Festival - Chamber Music Institute application on Acceptd by following this link (Applications open November 2023).

Application Fee: $40

Deadline: TBD (11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time)

Notification of Admission Results: March 1st, 2024

Audition Requirements:

Applicants must submit two contrasting works (or complete movements of works) by different composers that display their strengths and mastery of various styles. Concerti, sonatas, and other unaccompanied works will fulfill this requirement.

Pre-formed groups (of 2-5 players) are welcome to apply, but each member must submit an individual application to be accepted into the program on their own merit. Pre-formed ensembles must upload an additional recording showcasing the ensemble. The composer featured in the ensemble video may be the same as that of an individual's recording. Please note that ECCMF does not accept piano duos/piano 4-hands.

Pianists who wish to be considered for a half-tuition collaborative scholarship (see Tuition and Fees) must submit an additional video showcasing their collaborative ability, preferably a sonata with an instrumental player. If applying as a member of a pre-formed ensemble, the required additional video of the ensemble will not fulfill this requirement, unless otherwise approved by ECCMF faculty. Please email special circumstance inquiries to emeraldcoastchambermusic@gmail.com.

Required Recording: Submit video files through the Acceptd application. Each individual work (or movement of a work) should be uploaded as a separate file. All submitted files must be unedited, in a single take, and clearly show the hands and face of the applicant.

Festival Costs

Tuition: TBD

Festival Room and Board (see Accommodations section below for more information):

Triple Room - $960

Double Room - $1,450

Scholarship

All applicants are eligible for merit-based scholarship, which is awarded based solely on audition results. Applicants do not need to apply for any additional aid, as all applicants are automatically considered based on their application materials. Please note that merit based scholarship can only be applied towards tuition costs.

Our scholarship priority deadline is TBD. Any potential applications received after this date might not be eligible for scholarship.

Cello Travel Assistance (New for 2024): All accepted cellists will receive additional financial aid to help with the full cost of purchasing a seat for their cello on a plane or other form of public transportation, if required. Further instructions and deadlines will be communicated with admission decisions.

Accommodations

In the spirit of coastal living, students may choose to be housed in hotels in Niceville, within close proximity to Northwest Florida State College, provided by the festival. Breakfast will be provided by accommodations. Exact hotel details will be disclosed to participants upon acceptance into the program, paying all festival costs, and completion of required forms. Please note that accommodations through the festival are an additional cost to tuition, as laid out above.

Accommodations through the festival are optional and a separate cost from tuition. Niceville and the surrounding beach communities of Fort Walton and Destin have excellent options for non-festival housing (especially through Airbnb and Vrbo) that may fit your budget more than the accommodations offered through ECCMF. Students are welcome to find their own accommodations, but note that they will be responsible for all transportation needs.

Arrival Information/Transportation

Institute Participant Arrival: May 17th, 2024

Institute Participant Departure: June 3rd, 2024

Please note that these are only arrival and departure days. No ECCMF functions are scheduled for these dates. Read below for further details.

As the Emerald Coast region is rich in cultural and recreational activities, it is highly recommended that you bring a car to the program to fully experience Florida's panhandle region, and to commute between housing and Northwest Florida State College. Students will have time in their schedule to explore the area if they choose. Ample parking will be available on campus. A scheduled shuttle will be made available to students not bringing their own transportation to help facilitate the commute between their accommodations and campus.

The festival is located near many airports, should you choose to travel by air. Destin-Fort Walton Airport is the closest airport to Niceville and often has the cheapest airfare rates. The Destin-Fort Walton airport is where official ECCMF pick up and drop off will occur.

In addition, participants of the program are welcome to fly into Pensacola International Airport and Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. Participants choosing to fly into these airports must arrange their own transportation to Niceville.

Participants should plan to arrive on May 17th and depart on June 3rd. Some individuals may depart following the Young Artist Concert if needed.

For those interested in public transportation for recreational activities, please visit http://www.ecrider.org/ride-the-wave-2 to learn more about the local public transportation system.

International participants will need to secure their own visas. The festival will provide a letter of admission to help participants with this process.

General Information about Niceville:
Niceville is located on Florida's gulf coast in the northwestern panhandle. As a central part of the Emerald Coast region, there are many activities to do throughout the day and night. Please visit https://www.emeraldcoastfl.com and http://nicevilleflorida.com for further information.

For questions regarding application, admissions, or other program details, please contact: emeraldcoastchambermusic@gmail.com