NEW Advanced Music Performance Program

We are still accepting applications for the Advanced Music Program for 2026–27!

The Advanced Music Performance Program is an exciting new program within the Community School of Performing Arts, designed for exceptionally talented and serious-minded young musicians. It is a highly selective, one-day-a-week music training program for advanced students, ages 13-18, with a deep commitment to music who reside in Southern California. Selected by audition, the program is currently open to students studying piano, strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. The program is an all-day, immersive experience on Sundays, and is designed for students who are interested in majoring, double-majoring, or minoring in music at the college level as well as those seeking to keep music a vital part of their lives.

Guided by Colburn’s world-class faculty, students receive a comprehensive music education which includes participation in Colburn’s NEW Youth Philharmonic, chamber music, theory and aural skills classes, special seminars, performance classes, masterclasses and more.

Students will have the opportunity to perform in Colburn’s major concert venues, weekly recitals, masterclasses with international artists, community engagement, and much more.

All students will participate in the Ed and Mari Edelman Chamber Music Institute, with the possibility of playing with an Honors Chamber ensemble. String, woodwind, brass, and percussion students will also be in the Colburn Youth Philharmonic, the Community School’s new, top-level symphonic orchestra

The Advanced Music Performance Program provides valuable musical training and resume-building opportunities, preparing students for college applications and college-level studies.

Key Features

  • Comprehensive Curriculum: A rigorous blend of large ensemble participation, chamber music, music theory, special seminars and performance opportunities.
  • Enrichment Activities: Seminars in college audition preparation, speaking from the stage, career planning workshops, and other subjects to develop well-rounded musicians.
  • Cohort-Based Learning: Students join a dedicated group of like-minded peers, fostering collaboration and support throughout their time at Colburn.
  • Day-Long Sunday Program: Structured full-day training on Sundays to accommodate students’ academic schedules while providing an immersive learning experience.
  • Large Ensemble and Chamber Music: Participation in Colburn’s premiere large ensembles and chamber music program to deepen musical understanding, collaboration and performance skills.
  • Performance Opportunities: Students gain on-stage experience through performance classes, large ensemble concerts, and the opportunity to appear on the Community School’s Honors Recitals.
  • Giving Back: Opportunities to participate in community engagement programs and performances, which can fulfill required high school volunteer hours.
  • Expert Faculty: Instruction and mentorship from world-class musicians and educators with extensive experience in collegiate and professional music settings.
  • Opportunities to experience the Grand Avenue Arts Corridor: Students have access to complimentary and discounted tickets from the world-class arts organizations located steps away from Colburn.
  • Private Instruction: One-on-one study with Colburn School faculty. Although it’s preferred, accepted String, Wind, and Brass students are not required to study privately with faculty at Colburn School. Piano students are required to study privately with Colburn faculty. All students must be enrolled in private lessons.

Sample Sunday Schedule

  • 9:00-11:00: Honors Chamber Music
  • 11:00-12:00: Enrichment, Special Seminars and Healthy Musician
  • 12:00-1:00: Lunch
  • 1:00-4:00: Colburn Youth Philharmonic and Special Classes for Pianists (Improv, Sight-reading, Score reading, Keyboard skills, etc.)
  • 4:00-5:30: Aural Skills/Theoretical studies for Strings, Winds and Brass

Private Lessons

  • Strings, Brass, Winds, Percussion: Although it’s preferred, String, Wind, Brass, and Percussion students are not required to study privately with faculty at Colburn School.
  • Piano: Pianists in the program are required to take private lessons with Colburn faculty.

Program Admission

Admission is by application and audition, ensuring that each participant is dedicated to their musical and academic success. Join us at the Colburn School to take the next step in your musical journey and prepare for a future in collegiate music studies and beyond.

Application Deadline: May 1 at 11:59 pm

In-person Auditions: May 17, 2026

Tuition

Special introductory pricing for the academic year 2026–27:

  • $12,000 with private lessons
  • $7,000 without private lessons

Note: A limited amount of need-based scholarship support is available. The financial aid application will open shortly. Please visit our Scholarships page for more information on the scholarships available.

Audition Requirements

  1. Prescreening Video
    All applicants must submit a prescreening video that includes the required repertoire (below). Selected applicants will be invited to proceed to the next stage.
  2. Live Audition
    Applicants who successfully pass the prescreening will be invited to an in-person audition on the Colburn campus. The audition requirement remains the same as the prescreening round; however, different repertoire may be performed.

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Two contrasting selections. Selections may be two contrasting movements from a Concerto or Sonata (accompaniment is not required), or two contrasting etudes.

  • Single movement of a work by Bach
  • Single movement from a concerto (accompaniment not required)

NOTE: All string repertoire should be performed from memory. Excerpts should be performed with the score.

  • Two contrasting pieces from the options below:
    1. One piece from the Baroque or Classical era
    2. One piece from the Romantic, Impressionist, or Contemporary era

NOTE: All piano repertoire should be performed from memory.

Orchestra Excerpts (Piano, Winds, Brass, and Percussion ONLY)

Students applying for the Advanced Music Performance Program are also considered for placement in the Advanced Orchestras. As part of this process, orchestra excerpts are required for placement purposes only and are not part of the AMPP audition process. Please see the requirements and link to the excerpts below.

2026-27 Colburn Youth Philharmonic Excerpts

  • Record the two excerpts for your instrument and submit them along with your AMPP application.
  • Returning students are NOT required to perform the excerpts in-person.
  • Prepare the two excerpts for your instrument and perform them in-person on the same day as your AMPP audition.
  • DO NOT record or submit excerpts with your AMPP application.