FAQs

Apple Hill is an inclusive and diverse musical community. We accept participants ages 13 through adult. We accept most levels, from early intermediate to professional. In order to be comfortable playing the chamber music repertoire, it is best that students are at least at an early intermediate playing level, have a basic technical understanding of their instrument, and can read standard musical notation. The chamber ensembles are coached with the expectation that students arrive with their music assignments prepared and ready to rehearse. We accept orchestral instruments, voice, and piano.

All of our summer sessions are diverse in age (13 years old and up), nationality, and playing level.

Abundant individualized feedback will be provided during group coachings while maintaining a focus on chamber music. Private lessons are not included in the SCMW schedule or fees, but may be available at the discretion and availability of the faculty. There will be a separate fee for this, to be negotiated between you and the faculty member with whom you will be taking lessons.

Yes, contact the Summer Workshop Administrative Director for information.

Yes. Students under 18 will need the permission of a parent/guardian and adult supervision. All participants and faculty should take precautions while off-campus to avoid unnecessary potential covid exposures.

Yes, you may. However, we expect that everyone will be prepared to focus on their music performance skills and community-building. Apple Hill does not take responsibility for lost or stolen personal items. Internet and cell phone service is sometimes limited in our rural area. If you bring your cell phone, it must be turned off completely during rehearsals, meal times, announcements, and group activities.

Please click here for application information.

No. But you will need to send a placement recording so that we can make the best possible music assignments and groups for you. Apple Hill is an inclusive and diverse musical community. We accept participants ages 13 through adult. We accept most levels, from early intermediate to professional. In order to be comfortable playing the chamber music repertoire, it is best that students are at least at an early intermediate playing level, have a basic technical understanding of their instrument, and can read standard musical notation. Please click here for placement recording requirements.

Please click here for placement recording requirements.

Yes. All applicants, new and returning, should submit a new recording with their application so that we can make appropriate music assignments. 

Yes, we have some need-based financial aid available. To apply, look for the question on our online application form that says, “Do you need financial assistance to attend Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music?” and click yes. A set of questions will pop up; please fill out all the questions completely. We do have limited aid available. Scholarship applications are due February 3, 2025.

After we’ve received your application form, $80 application fee ($25 for applications received before December 16, 2024), and placement recordings, you will receive an acceptance letter via email, no later than April 14. If you are applying for a work-study position, you can expect to hear from us by early March. Once you’ve received your acceptance letter, you have two weeks to send your tuition deposit or, in the case of work-study participants, send in your signed agreement.

Students are each assigned two groups, although occasionally some students may receive three depending on the needs of the groups.

Music assignments will be available on May 9, 2025 and listed online here.

The Summer Workshop Administrative Director will contact you shortly after music assignments are posted with information about how to get your music. Music assignments will be listed online here.

Participants stay in small cabins and yurts scattered throughout our campus. All cabins and yurts have lighting and electric outlets; none have bathrooms/plumbing or air conditioning. Bathrooms and showers are located in two central bathhouses. The paths to housing can be hilly and on uneven terrain. Participants are assigned cabins based on age and gender. Participants under the age of 18 will be housed in cabins with a Counselor Worker (CW), a work-study participant over the age of 18. There will be approximately one CW for three to five underage participants. Participants over age 18 will be in cabins of 2-4 people. Adult participants have the option of off-campus housing for an additional fee; contact the Summer Workshop Administrative Director for more information.

At each session, there will be the Executive Director, the session Music Director, the Summer Workshop Administrative Director, three Camp Directors (CDs), and at least nine Counselor Workers (CWs). All off-campus trips will be supervised by a CD and/or CW.

No, we only have space on-campus for those participating in the Workshop.

We have an off-campus housing program for adult participants and faculty for an additional fee; contact the Summer Workshop Administrative Director for more information. Local adult participants are welcome to stay at home and commute. There is no discount available for staying off-campus. Younger participants should plan to stay on campus.

Our packing list is available here. Make sure to check the weather forecast before you travel–weather in NH frequently includes heavy rain, cold temperatures at night, and hot temperatures during the day. Cabins are lightly insulated and participants will be outside in the elements. Please be sure to pack clothing/bedding accordingly!

You can drive (see here for directions—make sure to double-check your routes before leaving, as GPS devices are sometimes unreliable in this area). If you are out of driving distance, we recommend discussing your travel plans with the Summer Workshop Administrative Director before purchasing tickets. Options include bus (Concord Coachlines to Concord, NH or Greyhound to Keene, NH), train (Amtrak to Brattleboro, VT), or flights (to Manchester, NH, Boston Logan Airport, or Bradley Airport in Hartford, CT). For a fee, we can pick up or drop off participants in Keene, Brattleboro, and Concord, NH after 8am and before 11pm. For ground transportation from the airport to AH, we recommend flying into Boston and taking Concord Coachlines to Concord, NH where we can pick you up. If you fly into Manchester or Hartford, you will need to take a private taxi (we recommend Thomas Transportation) or rent a vehicle. Contact the Summer Workshop Administrative Director for information. Please wear a mask while on any public transportation to Apple Hill.

Yes. You can arrive the day before your session begins and leave the day after. You will just need to pay for the extra meals ($25/day).

No. All participants need to be at Apple Hill for the full duration of their session, from 5pm on the first day until 5pm on the last day.

Plan to arrive between 2-5pm on the first day and leave after 5pm on the last day.

If your music assignments for the following session are prepared, you are free to travel from Sunday after 5pm to no later than Friday afternoon of the next session. We are not staffed to provide transportation to airports and trains for this purpose, so you will need to make all travel arrangements. Participants under the age of 18 must have parent/guardian permission and have adult supervision.

Guests, family, and friends are welcome to join you for the final participant concerts and Tuesday concerts and dinners; the campus is closed to the public otherwise.

The final Saturday of each session at 7pm and the final Sunday of the session at 1:30pm. Family and friends are welcome to attend the concerts. Pre-concert meals are closed to guests.

Half the groups play on Saturday and the other half on Sunday, so a student might play Saturday, Sunday, or one group on each concert. We determine the concert schedule in the latter half of the session.

These roles are open to returning Apple Hill students. Click here for more information.

2025 Travel Form (PDF), 2025 Emergency Contact Release Form (PDF), 2025 Medical Form (PDF), 2025 Packing List (PDF), Apple Hill Summer Chamber Music Workshop Policies 2025 (PDF)