FAQ

Q: APPLICATIONS: Do I have to be a college or high school student in order to apply?

A: No. Anyone over 16 is welcome to apply. In previous years, our oldest age was 68,

and our youngest 15 (which is allowed for New York residents residing at home).

Acceptance into the program is solely skill-based and competitive.

Q: APPLICATIONS: I am in a string quartet/brass quintet or ensemble that is not a wind quintet.

Are we eligible to apply for this festival?

A: Absolutely!

Q: APPLICATIONS: I would like to apply for both the General chamber music program (GCM) and the fellowship. Would I have to pay two application fees? What about the audition recording?

A: No. Only one application, fee, and recording is necessary for those interested in applying for both programs. However on the application itself, please make sure to specify that you wish to be considered for both programs. Accepted applicants will be placed in one or the other, but not likely both as the curriculum differs for each program. ECP combo applicants (i.e. composers who are performers) should fill out the ECP application.

Q: APPLICATIONS: I am an amateur musician at an intermediate level. Should I apply for the Fellowship program or the General Chamber Music Program?

A: We encourage you to apply for whichever program(s) you feel the most comfortable. Both programs are competitive.

Q: APPLICATIONS: I am applying as a part of an ensemble and even though we are required to submit a recording of two contrasting works, is it OK to submit two contrasting MOVEMENTS of the same work?

A: Yes, but keep in mind that it benefits you most within the competitive adjudication process that the submissions show a broad scope of your abilities as an ensemble.

Q: FINANCIAL AID: What kind of work exchange jobs do you offer?

A: Work exchange jobs range from Resident (RA), adminstrative & library assistants, to ushering, social media maintenance, & archival jobs. Work Exchange does not cover the entire cost of tuition and housing, and the reduced cost amount is decided by the amount of work each job requires. If you are interested in work exchange, we encourage you to provide a resume along with your financial assistance application. (note: participants who are interested RA positions must already have CPR/First Aid certification.)

Q: FINANCIAL AID: Could you please provide more information on the reference letter? Is there a particular format or any specifics that you are looking for?

A: Regarding format, the letter should be on the professor’s institution’s letterhead, if possible, and should include relevant contact information, including address, email address, and phone number. We also accept letters submitted via email, as long as it comes directly from the professor/notable professional, but recommendations from fellow students and/or teaching assistants are not eligible. The content of the letter should ideally include information on the applicant’s strengths as a musician/composer, sense of work ethics, and how he or she might benefit from participating in the festival.

Q: FINANCIAL AID: I have been invited to attend the festival, but the scholarship provided is simply not enough. What should I do?

A: While the festival tries it’s best to provide financial help to everyone who needs it, the hard truth is that often the number of requests exceed the funding available.

Upon receiving your scholarship award, if you feel it is not enough in order to attend, please email us at info@imaniwindsfestival.com to let us know in detail why you need more assistance. BEFORE YOU WRITE TO THE FESTIVAL, however, we request that you take a realistic look at your need. Then, take the time to find alternate sources of funding:

Schools: Many schools of music will provide funding for their students to attend summer festivals, to represent the institution. Contact your Dean, the office of financial aid, or even your private teacher to point you in the right direction.
Family and friends: If you find that you are a few hundred dollars shy of attending, every little bit from friends and family can add up to assistance.
Local rotary clubs, churches and community centers: Limited funding is usually available to help students further their education.
Do a benefit concert or fundraising activity: Taking the initiative to create a fundraising activity such as a performance will not only impress potential funders (and the festival), but is also an important step in your development as a musician.

Note: In reviewing additional requests, the festival values the effort made by participants who take the initiative to find alternative funding.

Q: CURRICULUM: What does a typical day at the festival look like?

Mornings: Coachings with members of Imani Winds (alternating)/Collaboration workshops with ECP fellows
Midday: Solo Masterclasses/Studio Classes/Rehearsals
Afternoon: Ensemble masterclasses/Career Workshops with Imani Winds or featuring a guest artist
Evening: Rehearsals/Concert/Outreach activity

Q: CURRICULUM: What configurations of chamber ensembles does the festival cover?

A: Any/all Configurations with the exception of percussion. The main focus of the Fellowship is wind quintet/sextet repertoire, and performers will be placed into such groups for the entire duration. For the General Chamber Music Program, participants will be placed into various sized configurations to perform mixed chamber music (from trios up to septets)

Q: CURRICULUM: What is the difference between the Fellowship Program and the General Chamber Music Program that makes it a different price?

A: Check the Programs page to see exactly of what each program consists and compares.

Q: CURRICULUM: What is an auditor, and what would I get out of the program from being an auditor?

A: In the traditional format of masterclass institutes and camps, auditors are folks (teachers, and adult musicians of all levels) who come to observe and learn new techniques of teaching, and music interpretation. For our auditors, there is no requirement to perform and usually, a limited amount of participation involved. Auditors are also welcome to take full advantage of our Yoga for Musicians and Alexander Technique classes; in addition to observing Imani Winds' unique teaching style as they cover the special repertoire for which the ensemble is known.

Q: CURRICULUM: Are private lessons included?

A: Private lessons are not included within the tuition for performers, but are available. Once accepted into the program, all participants will be given the option to purchase lessons.

Q: HOUSING: Do I have to room on-campus?

A: Performers and auditors are free to reside anywhere they wish during the festival. Juilliard’s Meredith Willson Residence hall on the Lincoln Center campus offers the arguably the best rate in town for the location, but the festival has a limited number of rooms reserved and are available at a first-come, first served basis.

Q: HOUSING: What will I need to bring for staying on-campus?

A: Since the accommodation is a dormitory, you will need to bring your own toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.) and towels. The residence hall will provide linens (sheets, pillowcases, etc.). Internet access is available, if bring your own laptop and a modem cable, and the residence hall has a computer lab. The residence hall cafeteria provides 3 meals a day (2 meals on weekends), and is open all day should you wish to grab a snack or two (at your own expense).

Q: GENERAL: I am under 18 and would like for my parent to accompany me. Is that possible?

A: Absolutely! The residence hall is supervised by resident assistants and institute staff, but we encourage parents with students who are under 18 to accompany the student. In this case, parents have the choice of staying in the residence hall but must pay for their own room and board, as well as an auditor fee depending on if they wish to observe the festival activities.