Music programs for high schoolers.
37 programs indexed in music. 17 are free or pay a stipend. 4 prioritize under-resourced or underrepresented students. This page updates whenever we add a new music program.
All music programs
- ModerateNAfMEAll-National Honor Ensembles
National honor ensemble for top high school musicians selected via state programs.
📍 Rotating (US)⏱ 4 days📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateAspen Music FestivalAspen Music Festival and School
Eight-week summer classical music festival and school accepting advanced young musicians.
📍 Aspen, CO⏱ 8 weeks📅 Winter🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateBerklee College of MusicAspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive
The world's premier summer performance program for contemporary music, including jazz, rock, and pop.
📍 Boston, MA⏱ 5 weeks📅 March 1🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveBBCBBC Young Musician
UK-wide music competition for musicians up to age 18; broadcast internationally.
📍 United Kingdom📅 Autumn🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateBerkleeBerklee Aspire
One-week introductory program for younger students.
📍 Boston, MA⏱ 1 week📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 8–10 - Highly SelectiveBerklee College of MusicBerklee Five-Week Summer Performance
Five-week immersive music performance program.
📍 Boston, MA⏱ 5 weeks📅 January🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateBerklee College of MusicBerklee Five-Week Summer Performance Program
Intensive five-week contemporary music performance program for ages 15+.
📍 Boston, MA⏱ 5 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateBrevard Music CenterBrevard Music Center High School Institute
Six-week classical music intensive in North Carolina mountains.
📍 Brevard, NC⏱ 6 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateBrevard Music CenterBrevard Music Center Summer Institute
A 7-week festival and school for advanced classical music students held in the mountains of North Carolina.
📍 Brevard, NC⏱ 7 weeks📅 January 15🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateCSSSA FoundationCalifornia State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA)
Multi-disciplinary arts sessions for young artists to collaborate and learn from professionals.
📍 Valencia, CA⏱ 4 weeks📅 March 15🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveCarnegie HallCarnegie Hall NYO-USA
Free national youth orchestra summer training and tour for ages 16-19.
📍 New York, NY⏱ 1 month📅 Winter🎓 Grades 10–12 - Highly SelectiveCarnegie Mellon UniversityCarnegie Mellon Pre-College Drama program
Intensive conservatory training in drama, music, and dance at a premier university.
📍 Pittsburgh, PA⏱ 3 weeks📅 April 15🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveDavidson InstituteDavidson Fellows
Scholarships of USD 10K, 25K, and 50K for students under 18 with significant work in STEM, literature, music, or philosophy.
📍 Online application⏱ Project-based📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveFrom the TopFrom the Top
Public radio classical-music showcase with full scholarship awards for selected young musicians.
📍 Touring venues⏱ Performance📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveFrom the TopFrom the Top's Scholarship & Radio Program
A national competition for classical music performers for a chance to perform on the radio.
📍 Online / Boston, MA📅 April 15🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateInterlochenInterlochen Arts Camp
Renowned summer arts camp across music, theater, dance, visual arts, writing, film.
📍 Interlochen, MI⏱ 1-6 weeks📅 January🎓 Grades 3–12 - SelectiveInterlochen Center for the ArtsInterlochen Arts Camp: Music Programs (High School)
High school music summer programs.
📍 Interlochen, Michigan🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveInterlochen Center for the ArtsInterlochen Arts Camp: One-Week Intensives
One-week intensive arts programs for high school students in various disciplines.
📍 Interlochen, Michigan🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateInterlochen Center for the ArtsInterlochen Summer Arts Camp
Premier summer arts camp in music, theatre, dance, visual arts, creative writing, film, motion picture arts.
📍 Interlochen, MI⏱ 1-6 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 3–12 - ModerateThe Fryderyk Chopin InstituteInternational Chopin Piano Competition for Young Pianists
One of the world's most prestigious international piano competitions; youth divisions available.
📍 Warsaw, Poland📅 Varies🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveInternational Songwriting CompetitionInternational Songwriting Competition (ISC)
A world-renowned songwriting competition that has launched the careers of many famous artists.
📍 Online📅 February 1🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveJack Kent Cooke FoundationJack Kent Cooke Young Scholars
Free 5-year program for 7th-grade high-achieving low-income students. Includes summer programs, college advising, and scholarships.
📍 Nationwide⏱ 5 years📅 April🎓 Grade 7 - ModerateThe Juilliard SchoolJuilliard Pre-College
Saturday conservatory training for talented young musicians.
📍 New York, NY⏱ Academic year📅 December🎓 Grades 5–12 - ModerateManhattan School of MusicManhattan School of Music Pre-College
Saturday conservatory program for serious young musicians.
📍 New York, NY⏱ Academic year📅 December🎓 Grades 3–12 - ModerateMusic Teachers National AssocMTNA Student Competitions
National classical-music performance and composition competitions with state and national rounds.
📍 State + national⏱ Multi-round📅 Sept-March🎓 Grades 9–12 - Highly SelectiveCarnegie Mellon UniversityMusic
Pre-College Music program at Carnegie Mellon University.
📍 Pittsburgh, PA🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveNFMCNational Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) Competitions
A prestigious scholarship competition for vocalists, instrumentalists, and composers.
📍 Online📅 March 15🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveYoungArtsNational YoungArts Foundation Competition
National arts competition for ages 15-18 across 10 disciplines; finalists receive cash and YoungArts Week.
📍 Miami, FL⏱ Self-paced📅 Fall🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveYoungArtsNational YoungArts Week
Week-long master classes and performances in Miami for YoungArts winners across 10 disciplines.
📍 Miami, FL⏱ 1 week📅 Fall🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateInterlochen Arts CampOne-Week Intensives Arts Camp
One-week intensive arts programs covering various disciplines like music, theatre, visual arts, creative writing, dance, film & new media, and interdisciplinary arts. Students will perfect their skills and learn new ones alongside lifelong friends.
📍 Interlochen, Michigan, USA📅 Applications open Sept. 1 for Camp 2027🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveSouth Carolina Governor's SchoolSC Governor's School Summer Programs
Free arts and STEM intensives for top SC students.
📍 SC⏱ 3 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 9–11 - ModerateStanford Jazz WorkshopStanford Jazz Workshop Jazz Institute
A jazz-focused summer program for talented instrumentalists and vocalists.
📍 Stanford, CA⏱ 2 weeks📅 March 1🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateBoston UniversityTanglewood Institute
Premier summer music program for high school instrumentalists, vocalists, and composers.
📍 Lenox, MA⏱ 2-6 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveNational YoungArts FoundationYoungArts
Free national arts competition. Winners receive cash awards, mentorship, and the chance to perform at YoungArts Week in Miami.
📍 Miami + regional⏱ 1 week📅 October🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateNational YoungArtsYoungArts at Oberlin: A One-Day Summer Intensive for High School Artists
A one-day summer intensive program at Oberlin Conservatory of Music for high school artists.
📍 Oberlin Conservatory of Music📅 Aug 12, 2026🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveNational YoungArts FoundationYoungArts Awards
National competition in writing, visual arts, design, music, theater, film for 15-18 year olds.
📍 Miami, FL⏱ Year-round📅 October🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveNational Foundation for the Advancement of ArtistsYoungArts National Arts Competition
One of the nation's most prestigious honors for high school students in the visual, literary, and performing arts.
📍 Miami, FL / Nationwide📅 December 1🎓 Grades 10–12