| Application deadline | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Cost | Last year's cycle (2026): Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Financial aid | 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 | Catalog terms: Need-based scholarships: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Expenses and aid conditions | 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 | Catalog terms: Course registration and materials fee (if accepted): $40; Need-based scholarships: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Stipend or pay | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Eligibility | Unconfirmed — check official site | Grades 10–12; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Additional eligibility | 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 | Requirement: Open to grades 10–12; Requirement: Completed ninth grade before the summer program; Requirement: Strong interest in marine biology, environmental science and related fields; Requirement: Able to attend all orientation and training sessions and complete 12 shifts over six weeks |
|---|
| Session dates or duration | Last year's cycle (2026): Starts June 7, 2026; Ends June 29, 2026; 3 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): Starts June 22, 2026; Ends August 9, 2026; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Format | In person | In person |
|---|
| Housing and supervision | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Location | Washington, DC | Baltimore, MD |
|---|
| Selection and application | 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 | Selection: Qualified applicants receive required peer-and-staff interviews, with some placed on a waitlist. The Aquarium does not publish application totals, cohort size or acceptance rate. Application materials: In-person interview |
|---|
| Official sources | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-08-22 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24 |
|---|