CIMF Chamber & Orchestra Performance Program
August 4-10, 2025
White Hall & Ives Concert Hall on the midtown campus of
Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, CT
Early application deadline – Monday, March 24, 2025 *
Early auditions – Sunday, March 30, 2025
Early admission decisions announced – Friday, April 4, 2025
Final application deadline – Monday, April 21, 2025
Final auditions – Saturday, April 26, 2025
Final admission decisions announced – Friday, May 2, 2025
* CIMF is offering rolling admission this year. Applicants who audition on the earlier date of March 30 (or by video sent by March 30) will receive their admissions decisions by April 4. We encourage applicants to apply and audition early.
Deadline to confirm participation in CIMF Summer 2025 – May 15, 2025
Tuition due for all participants – May 26, 2025
Tuition: $800
Applications received after April 21, 2025 will be waitlisted. Waitlist applicants will be contacted after May 15 with regard to status.
Click HERE to learn more about application and audition information
Click HERE to apply online
WCYO Alumni – Orchestra ONLY application click HERE
Program Description
Open to participants ages 21 and under with at least two years experience on their instruments, the Chamber & Orchestra Performance Program invites youth musicians who play orchestra instruments and composers to spend a week with CIMF Artist-Faculty in chamber music groups, orchestra, master classes, private lessons, and specialized sessions.
General Information
– This is a day program that runs 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM Monday, August 4th through Sunday, August 10th, with artist-faculty concerts on Tuesday, August 5th and Saturday, August 9th, a CIMF Orchestra concert on Thursday, August 7th and a participant chamber ensemble concert on Sunday, August 10th in the afternoon.
– Each participant will rehearse in at least one chamber music group led by an artist-faculty member. Each group will perform in concert on Sunday, August 10th.
– All participants will play in the CIMF Orchestra led by Eric Mahl. Seating will be determined by applicants’ auditions and/or their participation in WCYO if applicable.
– Some participants will be invited to perform with the CIMF Chamber Orchestra, a smaller orchestra, also led by Eric Mahl. This group will perform one or two pieces at the same concert as the CIMF Orchestra. Placement in this group will be determined by Paul Frucht and Eric Mahl based on CIMF Auditions and the specific orchestral needs required to perform the selected repertoire.
– Participants will receive tickets to all CIMF artist concerts throughout the summer 2025 festival.
– Participants will attend master classes led by the artist-faculty and guest artists focusing on both solo and chamber works. Participants will also attend specialized activities such as improvisation, Alexander Technique, and audition preparation.
REQUIRED FORMS
All accepted participants are required to sign a Commitment, Waiver & Consent form and a Code of Conduct form. These forms will be sent via DocuSign for signature by a parent or guardian. Click HERE to access hard copies of forms.
TUITION IS DUE BY MONDAY, MAY 26, 2025
Tuition is payable by credit card/PayPal using the “Add to Cart” button at the bottom of this page or via check payable to WCYO and mailed to WCYO, P.O. Box 964, Ridgefield, CT. 06877. If financial assistance is needed, please complete the WCYO Financial Assistance Application and return with the commitment packet to maintain your placement. NOTE: Please white out or black out social security numbers on IRS 1040 before submitting.
TO PAY TUITION ONLINE, SELECT THE PROGRAM YOU ARE PAYING FOR FROM THE DROP-DOWN MENU BELOW, THEN CLICK “ADD TO CART”.
NOTE: If you are paying for more than one program, you can add multiple selections to your cart by clicking on “Continue Shopping” in PayPal before checking out.