American Brass Quintet Seminar @Aspen
Important Information
- Program offered Half Session I only
- Fellowships and scholarships available. Click here to learn more about our Fellowships and Financial Assistance.
- VIDEO audition recordings required
- Resume required; 2 letters of recommendation are encouraged but not required
Fees & Deadlines
Application Fee
Kevin Cobb, trumpet
Brandon Ridenour, trumpet
Eric Reed, horn
Hillary Simms, trombone
John D. Rojak, bass trombone
The American Brass Quintet Seminar @Aspen (ABQS @A) is the country’s premier brass chamber music training program under the direction of the internationally recognized American Brass Quintet. In 2023, the ABQ announced the addition of its two newest members, AMFS alumni Brandon Ridenour and Hillary Simms, joining longtime members Kevin Cobb, Eric Reed, and John Rojak.
Enjoy four weeks of daily, intensive study devoted exclusively to brass chamber music repertoire, rehearsal techniques, and performance, led by members of the American Brass Quintet, faculty of the AMFS since 1970 and The Juilliard School since 1987. Participants will also receive weekly private instruction with the members of the ABQ.
In addition to daily coaching and rehearsals, ensembles will participate in a number of events such as open rehearsals of the American Brass Quintet, public performances, performance classes, and workshops (e.g., composer readings and community engagement activities).
All applicants are eligible for fellowship or scholarship consideration. Please see our Fellowships and Financial Assistance page to learn more about our many fellowship and scholarship opportunities.
The program is rigorous and, thus, members of the American Brass Quintet Seminar @Aspen Program are expected to stay focused on their core curriculum and are not eligible to participate in concerto competitions.
HOW TO APPLY
APPLICATION OPEN SEPTEMBER 15
The ABQS @A program will accept applications from individuals or pre-formed groups. Individuals who are admitted to the program will be placed into a brass chamber ensemble upon completion of enrollment. Pre-formed groups are not limited to brass quintets and can be any configuration of a mixed brass ensemble. Pre-formed groups will be evaluated for admission as an ensemble.
Applicants who are interested in applying to both the ABQS @A and the Orchestra / Instrumental program must submit an application to each program separately. Application fee waivers may be requested for the second application.
INDIVIDUAL APPLICANTS
- Resume required
- Two letters of recommendation encouraged but not required
PRE-FORMED GROUPS
- Group resume required
- Group and individual biographies required
- Two letters of recommendation are encouraged but not required.
- Each member of the group must submit a separate application and provide their group name at the time of applying.
AUDITION REPERTOIRE
All of the following repertoire must be submitted in INDIVIDUAL VIDEO TRACKS.
INDIVIDUAL APPLICANTS
- Record a brief video (1 minute or less) stating why chamber music is of interest to you or what we might want to know about you
- Solo work with contrasting sections or movements and 2 contrasting etudes totaling no more than 10 minutes
PRE-FORMED GROUPS
- Record a brief video introducing the group and discussing your goals for the program
- Pre-Formed Brass Quintets:
- EWALD: Moderato (1st Mvt.) from Brass Quintet No. 1 in B-flat minor
- At least two other contrasting pieces, including one from the Renaissance (16–17th C.) and one from 1950–present.
- Other pre-formed groups:
- 2 or 3 movements taken from the standard repertoire for the ensemble
Group leaders will submit a group resume, individual and group biography, and group audition videos. All other members of the group must submit a separate application including the group name and an individual biography, with no audition videos required.