What is the National Music Festival?
The National Music Festival is an orchestral training program for college and graduate level musicians on the cusp of their professional careers. Full scholarships and housing are provided for all apprentices. The Festival also provides performances and free open rehearsals for audiences from local communities and all over the world. The Festival is a division of OuterArts Maryland, Inc., which is a nonprofit organization. For more information, please visit our About page.
What are the ages of the apprentices?
The average age of apprentices is about 22, although some apprentices are older or younger. The minimum age to participate is 18; there is no maximum age.
Where do the musicians come from?
All over the world! Each year, approximately 15 countries and 30 U.S. states are represented.
How are the mentors and apprentices selected?
Mentors are hand-picked for their ability as performers and teachers, but also for other qualities that are important to the mission of the Festival: the ability to balance life and work, entrepreneurship, and a great joy in playing and teaching.
Apprentices are selected by the mentors through a competitive application process. Please visit the Musicians section of this website for more information about the application process.
Where do the musicians stay?
Thanks to the generosity of local host families, most of our musicians stay in private homes! If you are interested in hosting musicians, please visit the Host a Musician page for more information.
When was the Festival founded?
The Festival was founded in 2010 by Richard Rosenberg and Caitlin Patton.
What kind of music is performed at the Festival?
Mostly a wide variety of concert (classical) music, although we also sometimes perform jazz, cross-over, and other types of music. Repertoire runs the gamut from large symphony orchestra to small chamber ensembles, and from Baroque to contemporary.
Where do concerts take place?
Concerts (and rehearsals) take place in a variety of venues throughout Chestertown and Kent County. Sacred Heart Church, Christ United Methodist Church, Sumner Hall, Emmanuel Church, Washington College, and the Raimond Cultural Center host concerts and rehearsals, to name just a few. When you explore our calendar, you’ll see the venue listed for each concert.
How much does it cost to attend the NMF concerts?
Attending the National Music Festival is affordable. You can purchase a Festival Pass for only $235 ($260 after January 1) for access to all ticketed events plus special benefits, or you can purchase single tickets (ranging from $10 to $25) for individual events. Child/student tickets are $5. We also offer quite a few free concerts, and all rehearsals are always free and open to the public.
How can I help?
Thank you for your interest in helping the National Music Festival fulfill its mission! You can help by making a financial or in-kind contribution, volunteering, hosting a musician and more. Please explore the Get Involved section of this website for details about how to help.
How do I apply to attend as an apprentice?
Please click on Apply to visit our landing page on Acceptd for complete application details.
