A two-week orchestral training program for advanced student musicians, led by SYSO Music Director Juan Felipe Molano
The 2023 Festival’s application has closed. Instruments will be recruited on an as-needed basis. Contact wendy.devaney@syso.org for more information.
The Application for Marrowstone 2023 is now closed. We are still recruiting Violin, Viola, Cello, and Oboe musicians.
ABOUT
WHO
Advanced string, winds, brass, and percussion musicians ages 14+. Metropolitan Youth Symphony musicians attending the overnight in Olympia: Visit the “Apply” tab for more information on how to apply. (Piano & harp musicians should reach out to Marrowstone Manager Wendy Devaney before applying: wendy.devaney@syso.org.)
Though the 2023 application has closed, we are still recruiting the following instruments: Violin, Viola, Cello, Oboe. Contact wendy.devaney@syso.org for more information.
WHEN
2023 Festival Dates: July 24-August 4, 2023.
WHERE
Shorecrest High School. Seattle, WA. The 2023 Festival will again be a non-residential (no provided room & board) program.
ABOUT
A musician’s experience at Marrowstone includes a full-day schedule packed with rehearsals, chamber music, and the opportunity to study with our world-class faculty in daily coachings and other rehearsal settings.
An overnight stay in Olympia, WA at Evergreen State College with our friends from Portland’s Metropolitan Youth Symphony will prepare musicians for concerts in Olympia, WA and Portland, OR. A culminating concert will take place in Seattle at Benaroya Hall at the Festival’s end, elevating the exciting program and the musicians’ hard work over the course of the two-week intensive.
Marrowstone is an impactful opportunity for advanced musicians to study music in great detail, receiving world-class instruction while simultaneously forging friendships that will last a lifetime.
KEY DATES & TIMELINE
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Dec 1 – Applications live
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Feb 2 – Rolling acceptances begin
- (NEW) Feb 26 – Deadline to apply
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March 31 – Acceptance period ends
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April 1 – Deadline to accept Festival placement
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May 1 – First half of tuition due
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July 14 – Second half of tuition due
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July 24 – Marrowstone begins!
Though the 2023 application has closed, we are still recruiting the following instruments: Violin, Viola, Cello, Oboe. Contact wendy.devaney@syso.org for more information.
Applications and audition submissions close February 26, 2023*
Non-Refundable Application Fee: $60**
Students from MYS in Portland should apply as a Guest Student when the touring application goes live March 31. Participation fee: $350. Tuition assistance is available in the application.
*Late applications considered on a space-available basis. Contact Wendy Devaney, Marrowstone Music Festival Manager, at wendy.devaney@syso.org for more information.
**Students who do not need to submit a video audition will still need to pay an application fee.
If you fall under the following categories you will not need to submit a video audition:
- If you are a percussionist or a string player in Junior or Youth Symphony Orchestras for the 2022-2023 season.
All other applicants will be required to submit an audition video to be considered for the 2023 Marrowstone Festival.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
- Fill out the online application.
- All students will receive an invitation to audition regardless of whether or not you need to submit one. If you are not required to submit an audition, please disregard the email. If you are still unsure do not hesitate to reach out.
- Read the audition requirements below, then add your unlisted YouTube link to the application (if applicable) using the following title: Name, Instrument, Marrowstone 2023.
- If you are applying for financial aid, please complete the financial aid portion of the application. If you would like to apply after you’ve already submitted your application, please reach out to the program manager, Wendy Devaney, at wendy.devaney@syso.org.
Piano and harp musicians will need to reach out to Wendy Devaney, Marrowstone Manager, before applying. Email Wendy at wendy.devaney@syso.org.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
If the above categories do not apply, you are required to submit an audition video as part of your Marrowstone application. You will need to prepare the following:
- Two scales; one major and one minor (3-4 octaves for strings, 2-3 octaves for winds/brass, and 2 octaves for percussion).
- Two contrasting selections from solo repertoire or orchestral/chamber music repertoire. One selection should be lyrical to showcase musicality, and one selection should showcase rhythm and technical ability.
- Consult your private teacher to determine the ideal repertoire for our audition.
We encourage advanced-level SYSO Debut Symphony Orchestra musicians to apply. Students who do not currently participate in any SYSO programs are also encouraged to apply. If you need help finding out if the festival is right for you, please contact the Marrowstone Music Festival Manager, Wendy Devaney, at wendy.devaney@syso.org.
VIDEO SUBMISSIONS
TUITION
$2,400
Tuition cost includes daily meal(s), as well as the programming fees associated with the chamber music program. All enrolled musicians will participate in a chamber ensemble in addition to daily full orchestra rehearsals and coachings.
Tuition can be made in two payments by May 1, 2023 and by July 14, 2023. Ample financial aid is available to all students enrolled in our programs who demonstrate need. We encourage any families who may need assistance to apply in your Marrowstone Festival application. Do not hesitate to reach out to info@syso.org for more information.
Families will receive an invoice for tuition—please watch your email after you have accepted your enrollment. We will set up a payment portal to accept tuition payments via credit card and ACH transfers. We also accept checks. Further payment details will be included in your invoice.
FACULTY
STRINGS
Violin
LAUREN ROTH (Concertmaster – Tucson Symphony)
EDUARDO RIOS (Assistant Concertmaster – Seattle Symphony)
Viola
MARA GEARMAN (Seattle Symphony)
Cello
WALTER GRAY (Seattle Symphony)
Double Bass
WILL LANGLIE-MILETICH (Seattle Symphony)
WINDS
Flute
JEFFREY BARKER (Seattle Symphony)
Clarinet
EMIL KHUDYEV (Seattle Symphony)
Oboe
LOGAN ESTERLING (University of Puget Sound, Tacoma Symphony, Yakima Symphony)
Bassoon
FRANCINE PETERSON (Univesity of Puget Sound, Pacific Lutheran University)
BRASS
Trumpet
CHRISTOPHER STINGLE (Seattle Symphony)
French Horn
JOHN TURMAN (Seattle Symphony, University of Washington)
Low Brass
EDEN GARZA (Seattle Symphony, University of Washington)
PERCUSSION
MATTHEW KOCMIEROSKI (Pacific Northwest Ballet)
REPERTOIRE
Marrowstone 2023 will celebrate aspects of the Latin American symphonic tradition, and will feature colorful music inspired by or from renowned composers from the region:
Sensemayá – Silvestre Revueltas
Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas (Four Seasons of Buenos Aires) – “Invierno Porteño” (Winter) – Astor Piazzolla. Featuring Marrowstone Music Festival faculty Eduardo Rios, violin
Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story” – Leonard Bernstein
Works by famed Mexican composer Javier Álvarez
…and more! Stay tuned for more exciting repertoire announcements.
PERFORMANCES
Marrowstone 2023 will feature multiple performances both in and out of Seattle, including touring engagements in Olympia & Portland.
FULL ORCHESTRA
OLYMPIA, WA – Date TBD – featuring friends from Portland’s Metropolitan Youth Symphony
Evergreen State College
PORTLAND, OR – Date TBD – featuring friends from Portland’s Metropolitan Youth Symphony
The Melody Center
SEATTLE, WA – August 4, 2023
Benaroya Hall
CHAMBER RECITALS
SEATTLE, WA – July 30, 2023 – Location TBD
Marrowstone Music Festival musicians perform their chamber music studies for the general public.
For SYSO’s most up-to-date COVID policies and procedures, click here.
Founded in 1942, Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra is the largest youth orchestra training program in the United States.
