| Application deadline | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Cost | $400–$500 (2027 cycle) | Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Financial aid | Financial assistance: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site (2027 cycle) | Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): Financial aid requested in the application: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Students who request aid are contacted after acceptance.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Expenses and aid conditions | Financial assistance: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site (2027 cycle) | Application fee: $25. Non-refundable.; Great Debate deposit: $150. Paid on acceptance to secure a spot; non-refundable. (2027 cycle) | Last year's cycle (2026): Application fee (non-refundable): $30. A fee waiver can be requested for financial circumstances.; Financial aid requested in the application: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Students who request aid are contacted after acceptance.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Stipend or pay | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Eligibility | Grades 9–12; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official site | Grade 9; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Additional eligibility | Requirement: Open to grades 9–12 | Residency: Participating cities and surrounding areas; Requirement: GPA of at least 3.0 or 85 and a college-bound curriculum; Requirement: Spring regional training applies to specified four-day programmes | Ages 15–20; Requirement: Be age 15 or older when the program begins; Requirement: Be seriously considering music as a career; Requirement: Play violin, viola, cello, string bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba or harp (local percussionists and pianists may apply for partial, non-housed participation); Requirement: International students are eligible; visas are the applicant's responsibility |
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| Session dates or duration | Starts June 27, 2027; Ends July 2, 2027; 1 week (2027 cycle) | Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): Starts June 7, 2026; Ends June 29, 2026; 3 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Format | In person | In person | In person |
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| Housing and supervision | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Location | St. Paul, MN | Sherman, San Antonio, Rock Island, San Diego, TX, IL, CA | Washington, DC |
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| Selection and application | Selection: 2026 applications were first-come, first-served for 150-200 places per session; the 2027 capacity and selection method are not announced. | Selection: Confirm the current programme’s selection, capacity and operative participation conditions. | Selection: Competitive recorded audition with musical proficiency as the primary standard; essays and one recommendation inform the review, and instrument balance affects selection. No current acceptance rate is published. Application materials: Recorded video audition with orchestral excerpts; Two essay questions (written or video responses); One recommendation from a music teacher or conductor |
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| Official sources | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-08-21Source 4 · checked 2026-08-21 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-08-22Source 5 · checked 2026-08-20 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-08-22 |
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