HIGH SCHOOL | MUSIKVEREIN

Selection Process

The honor of participation in the Honors Ensembles is limited to the best high school performers chosen through an individual application and selection process.

Sightseeing Extension

Finalist Updates

Selection of Finalists

Selected Finalists receive the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with and learn from renowned conductors as they prepare for and perform at a truly world-class venue—the Musikverein in Vienna. In a special performance, students perform for Vienna concert-going patrons, educators, and family.

In most cases, qualified students are invited to apply after having been nominated by a music teacher familiar with their accomplishments. Given that not all directors are aware of the opportunity to nominate, students are also given the opportunity to self-nominate and apply. Students who wish to self-nominate must, therefore, additionally include a teacher recommendation as part of their application submission.

Application Requirements

To be considered for selection to the 2021 Honors Performance Series, a student must be in US grades 9-12 (or equivalent international study level) during the 2020-2021 school year and submit a completed application, which includes:

A teacher nomination or recommendation (see above),
An application form and deposit,
A performer biography,
A 3- to 5-minute audition recording.

Instruments and Voice Parts

The 2021 High School Honors Performance Series at the Musikverein will feature the following distinguished ensembles:

Honors Band
Honors Orchestra (format TBD)
Honors Choir (mixed choir)

Accepted Finalists are assigned to an ensemble based upon the recommendation of our Selection Board to satisfy balance requirements for each ensemble, as well as to maintain an equally high level of musicality for all ensembles. The Series cannot guarantee that, if accepted, applicants will be placed into a specific ensemble.

Past vocal ensembles have included sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses. Previous instrumental ensembles required the following instruments: bassoons, cellos, clarinets (including Bb, Eb, and bass), string basses, euphoniums, flutes, French horns, harps, oboes, percussion, pianos, saxophones (including alto, tenor, and baritone), trombones, tubas, violas, and violins.

Evaluation Process and Selection of Finalists

All completed applications received will be reviewed by our expert Board of professional musicians to select the Finalists for the Honors Ensembles.

All applicants will be notified by email on approximately February 1, 2021, regarding their application status for the 2021 High School Honors Performance Series. Following review by our Selection Board, applicants are placed into one of three categories: Finalist (selected to perform), First Runner-up (waitlisted), or Deferred (not accepted and not waitlisted).
Selected Finalists should expect to receive the selected music for preparation in Spring 2021.
Should any Finalist cancel their participation, a First Runner-up will be offered the opportunity to fill the empty seat.

How to Submit Your Application Materials

“Our Conductor Dr. Copley was amazing! By her stories, advice, and quotes, she inspired us as well as effectively taught us. I learned so much about singing, and I have already, just about 4 weeks after the program, used the skills I learned in singing countless times!”

Ella
Finalist