Information for Applicants
Why choose SMF?
On any given day during the Festival, a fellow will rehearse in chamber ensembles with their peers and have the coveted opportunity to play side-by-side with Festival faculty. Fellows will also perform in the Festival Orchestra and participate in workshops and seminars. All participants—fellows and faculty alike—benefit from the ability to work closely with their Festival colleagues in two weeks of intensive chamber music study, thanks to a small cohort size of approximately 40 fellows.
A Dream Come True
It is a chamber musician's dream come true to have access to the genius of so many world-class artists in one place, at one time. Many of our faculty artists were launching their own careers when they participated in our festival as fellows. Now they, and other acclaimed musicians, return to their roots to share their gifts and expertise with today's up-and-coming talent.
What are people saying?
“Working with some of the world's top instructors and colleagues was incredibly inspiring every moment.”
Who should apply?
Musicians from top music programs at colleges and conservatories are invited to audition and participate in the Sarasota Music Festival. This is an opportunity to work side-by-side with the Festival's prestigious faculty.
When is the Festival?
Save the dates for next year's Festival!
June 1 – 13, 2026
Where is the Festival?
The Sarasota Music Festival takes place in the city of Sarasota on Florida’s West Coast, about 60 miles south of Tampa and on the opposite side from Miami. We advise participants to fly into the Sarasota/Bradenton airport (SRQ).
What are people saying?
“The most impressive aspect of the festival for me has been the amazing engagement and enthusiasm of the audience and Sarasota community! I've never experienced such warm reception at a festival before. I've also loved getting to know several patrons personally, and I love how they support us through our entire festival journey from rehearsals to performances!”
–Sophie Choate, 2024 Viola Fellow
Cost of Attendance*
*The amounts below reflect the cost of attendance for SMF 2026.
Tuition: $0
Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, your SMF Fellowship provides an approximately $9,500 scholarship ensuring no tuition expense for participation.
Application fee: $100
The SMF application fee is due at the time of application submission and is processed online via Acceptd.
Registration: $200
Each Fellow must pay a non-refundable registration fee due upon acceptance to the Festival.
Housing: $1000
You’ll stay at Art Ovation, a luxurious four-star hotel located a short distance from Festival headquarters. The SMF fellowship offsets the majority of the room cost, with a $300 housing deposit due upon acceptance.
Meals: $300
SMF provides more than 20 meals during the Festival. Lunch and dinner are provided Monday through Saturday. Breakfast is on your own, and there are coffee shops, grocery stores, and restaurants nearby. All fellows must pay this fee by May 20.
Frequently Asked Questions
You must be 18 years old by May 30, 2026. There is no upper age limit to participate in the Festival.
The average age of fellows at the Festival is about 23. Many SMF fellows are enrolled in college or graduate school during the Festival, but this is not a requirement. We also welcome fellows who are recent graduates or freelancers.
Keep up with SMF!
Sign up for our eNewsletter to get the latest news from Sarasota Music Festival! Subscribers will be the first to know when applications open for SMF 2026.
2025 audition requirements
Audition materials have been updated for SMF 2025.
- If not indicated, accompaniment is optional.
- Each requirement can be a separate VIDEO upload
- Audio recordings are accepted, but video is strongly recommended
- Submissions must be unedited and unenhanced
- SMF accepts substitutions for audition requirements listed below. If you have materials prepared that do not match the list for your instrument’s auditions, please submit your audition materials anyway.
- One movement from a Bach Sonata or Partita (no repeats)
- Exposition from the first movement of a Mozart Violin Concerti (no cadenza)
- Exposition from any violin concerto written between 1850 and 1950 (Note: If choosing Sibelius Concerto, play beginning through the Cadenza [5 bars after rehearsal Number 7] and if choosing Brahms Concerto, play beginning of solo to mm. 260)
- Orchestral Excerpts:
- Mozart: Symphony No. 39, mvt. 2 (mm. 1-26) 1st violin
- Brahms: Symphony No. 4, mvt. 4 (mm. 33-80) 1st violin
- Schumann: Symphony No. 2, Scherzo (mm. 1-54) 1st violin
- Mendelssohn, Midsummer Night’s Dream Scherzo (mm. 17 to 7th bar after D)
