Q: What is the Orfeo Music Festival?
A: The Orfeo Music Festival is an intensive three-week summer music program and concert series that gathers musicians from various countries. The Festival is an independent nonprofit organization. Recently relocated from a small village Voels am Schlern to a beautiful Alpine town of Vipiteno, festival participants so much enjoy Vipiteno’s charming ambiance and great hospitality.
Q: When is the application due?
A: We highly encourage Early Applications that are due December 1. The deadline for Regular Applications is February 1.
Q: Will applications be accepted after the deadline?
A: We will accept Late Applications (received after February 1) subject to enrollment, please inquire by e-mail.
Q: Can I apply online?
A: No. Please email the address to which we can send you an Application Form. Please remember to check the “Application Checklist” before submitting it.
Q: How are the students selected for admission?
A: The selection criteria include the student’s ability to play and the repertoire. All auditions are by video recording (email a link, mp3, dvd).
Q: Can you provide an example of audition recording program?
A: Your audition recording should contain two contrasting works of your choice. These may include a slow movement, a virtuoso piece, or two compositions from different historical periods, a set of vocal selections for the vocalists. The total length of your recording should be 10 – 15 minutes. Returning students are exempt from submitting a video recording with their application unless they apply for competition
Q: What age groups participate in the Festival?
A: Our students range from 7 to adult and include advanced high school, college and graduate students and amateur musicians, as well as young professionals. All students under age 14 should be accompanied by a parent or a guardian.
Q: Where will I live and eat during the Festival?
A: The residence is arranged in several small local hotels of the beautiful Alpine town of Vipiteno/Sterzing and is in walking distance to the Festival Academy. Full breakfast is served at the hotel, lunch and dinner are served at the Festival dining hall on weekdays and on weekends you are free to explore the local restaurants for lunch and dinner, or dine out of town if on a day trip.
Q: Will I have an opportunity to perform?
A: Yes, concerts are held every day and students actively prepare and participate in many festival concerts.
Q: Will I have an opportunity to play in an orchestra?
A: Yes, the Orfeo Festival Orchestra performs one to two programs during the festival and repertoire is assigned much in advance of festival opening.
Q: Will I need to bring my stand?
A: All string players must bring their own stand.
Q: Do I need to bring any music scores?
A: If you plan to prepare repertoire with piano accompaniment or chamber music you need to provide the scores.
Q: Since transporting my cello is inconvenient for me, can I rent a cello on location?
A: Yes, a limited number of cellos is available for rent. You need to let us know by May and we will be glad to reserve one for you.
Q: What kind of clothes should I bring?
A: Bring your dressy and smart casual summer clothes, a swimming suit if you like and some warm clothes, perhaps a sweater or a jacket. Average temperatures run from around 60 degrees Fahrenheit (at night) to 82 (during the day) in July. You will truly enjoy the weather here, which is nearly impossible to match in the rest of Europe during this time of year! Your concert clothes should contain typical colors for group performances: white/black top, black bottom, black shoes. If you are scheduled to perform solo bring very dressy concert clothes. Ladies are required to cover shoulders in churches according to local tradition. Long skirts are preferable to pants for females. The following clothes are not appropriate for evening concerts both if you perform or attend: tank tops, shorts, jeans, flip-flops. You might also want to bring an alarm clock with you and umbrella for rainy days.
Q: What can students do on free days?
A: The free days are Saturday and Sunday. There will be no classes held on these days so many students will want to explore the mountains, swim in the local pool or go on day trips or perhaps visit nearby cities and tourist attractions like Verona, Cremona, Venice, Lake Garda, Salzburg (all accessible by train or bus). There will be evening concerts on weekends featuring performances by our artists-in-residence.
Q: Are scholarships available?
A: A very limited number of scholarships are available to outstanding students on a first come basis. Students must request scholarship in writing and submit it with the application. Scholarship awards are made on the basis of recording evaluation and consultation with faculty. Scholarship students will be asked to perform small office duties at the festival. Please explore your local community, including arts, religious or civic organizations, schools and private donors for alternate sources of financial aid. Private donors are entitled to receive a tax deduction receipt from the festival since we are a non-profit organization.
Q: Will I be able to play chamber music during the festival?
A: Pre-formed chamber groups are encouraged to apply. Every student will be requested to complete a Performance Repertoire Request form (solo and chamber) and then assigned a group and repertoire for performances if interested. All students will be receiving their solo and chamber assignments in May and have to arrive to the festival ready for rehearsal the next day. Students must bring their solo and chamber music parts and scores since there is no music library on location. Chamber groups will be coached by the festival faculty for performances.
Q: Can I use my debit or credit cards there?
A: There are banks in town where you can exchange currency, cash your travelers checks, get cash from ATM machine (for this purpose you must make sure that your debit/credit card has one of these symbols – Plus, Cirrus, or EC). It is recommended that you bring both debit and credit cards with you in case one does not work.
Q: How can I get to Vipiteno?
A: You can find travel directions on the “Location and Travel” page of the festival’s website. The ride from Munich airport is about 2,5 hours long, Innsbruck airport is a little closer but also smaller.
