Dates
Sunday, July 13 – Sunday, July 27, 2025 (inclusive of travel)
Application Deadline
February 10, 2025
Eligibility
Pianists ages 18-24 OR currently enrolled at a college, university, or conservatory
Program Description
The Fellowship Piano Program provides an immersive musical experience for two pianists on the retreat-like setting of Madeline Island. Under the guidance of award-winning pianist Wendy Chen, participants have the opportunity to collaborate and perform with Artist-Faculty and Fellowship String Quartets. This fully funded program includes daily private lessons, coaching of piano four-hands chamber music, community engagement activities, and performance opportunities.
Faculty
Artist-faculty
Program Outline
- Intensive study and performance of piano chamber music
- Private instruction and chamber music coaching
- Weekly public performances
- Faculty presentations about 21st century artistic life, and pathways to success
- Side-by-side performances with Artist-Faculty
- Free tickets to faculty concerts
- 4K video recordings of performances
Costs and Financial Aid
Application Fee
Before December 15
- $75 (individuals)
After December 15
- $125 (individuals)
Application fee waivers can be requested directly through Acceptd. Follow this link for instructions on how to submit this request.
Program fees
$320
Tuition, room and board, and meals are fully funded for all Fellowship String Quartet participants thanks to the generosity of MacPhail donors. Participants are responsible for the cost of transportation. The $320 residential fee is due at the time of acceptance.
Financial Assistance
All participants receive full merit scholarship, covering tuition, room and board, and meals, thanks to the generosity of MacPhail donors.
Application Fee
Before December 15
- $75 (individuals)
After December 15
- $125 (individuals)
Program fees
$320
Tuition, room and board, and meals are fully funded for all Fellowship String Quartet participants thanks to the generosity of MacPhail donors. Participants are responsible for the cost of transportation. The $320 residential fee is due at the time of acceptance.
Financial Assistance
All participants receive full merit scholarship, covering tuition, room and board, and meals, thanks to the generosity of MacPhail donors.
Application Materials
Applications are submitted through Acceptd. Video auditions are required for all applicants and must be uploaded directly to your application prior to the submission deadline.
A letter of recommendation from your current private teacher or chamber music coach is required. You will need to provide your recommender’s email address in the application and we will contact them requesting an electronic letter.
Audition Requirements
5-8 minutes of solo repertoire consisting of two works contrasting in style and tempo (representative excerpts of longer movements are accepted)
Student Life
Campus
Our campus includes three cottages, which feature shared bathrooms, screened porches, lounges, laundry facilities, and kitchenettes. Rooms are shared between two to three students and equipped with shelving, two wardrobes, air conditioning, and floor board heat.
Housing
Students are assigned to rooms according to age and gender, with a counselor assigned to live and supervise each cottage. These counselors are on-call throughout the summer, assisting with everything from planning and leading recreational activities, administering medication, transporting students, and supporting our concert operations.
Meals
Three meals are provided daily. Food is freshly prepared in the Mary Lange Center’s kitchen and served buffet-style. Dietary needs and food allergies can be accommodated.
Activities
Madeline Island Chamber Music offers various activities, including games and sports, crafts, kayaking and canoeing, hiking, bicycling, swimming, and other activities depending on student interest. None of these activities are mandatory. Madeline Island Chamber Music staff are present during all sponsored activities to promote student safety.
Getting to Madeline Island
Madeline Island Chamber Music offers transportation from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport (MSP) to Madeline Island. This is a 4.5 hour drive, including a 25 minute ferry ride. Details are communicated upon acceptance to the program. Students and their families can also elect to drive to Madeline Island.
Campus
Our campus includes three cottages, which feature shared bathrooms, screened porches, lounges, laundry facilities, and kitchenettes. Rooms are shared between two to three students and equipped with shelving, two wardrobes, air conditioning, and floor board heat.
Housing
Students are assigned to rooms according to age and gender, with a counselor assigned to live and supervise each cottage. These counselors are on-call throughout the summer, assisting with everything from planning and leading recreational activities, administering medication, transporting students, and supporting our concert operations.
Meals
Three meals are provided daily. Food is freshly prepared in the Mary Lange Center’s kitchen and served buffet-style. Dietary needs and food allergies can be accommodated.
Activities
Madeline Island Chamber Music offers various activities, including games and sports, crafts, kayaking and canoeing, hiking, bicycling, swimming, and other activities depending on student interest. None of these activities are mandatory. Madeline Island Chamber Music staff are present during all sponsored activities to promote student safety.
Getting to Madeline Island
Madeline Island Chamber Music offers transportation from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport (MSP) to Madeline Island. This is a 4.5 hour drive, including a 25 minute ferry ride. Details are communicated upon acceptance to the program. Students and their families can also elect to drive to Madeline Island.
Sample Daily Schedule
Includes 2 hours of scheduled individual practice, 2 hours of scheduled chamber music rehearsal, and 1 hour of chamber music coaching
8:00 AM
Breakfast
8:50 AM – 12:10 PM
Rehearsals, coachings, private lessons, or individual practice
12:15 PM – 1:00 PM
Lunch
1:20 PM – 4:30 PM
Rehearsals, coachings, private lessons, or individual practice
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Free time
6:00 PM – 6:45 PM
Dinner
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Faculty presentations, master classes, and performances