Take a step toward the most profound professional experience you’ll ever have.
Applications for the 2024 season will open in November 2023 and be due in February 2024. The audition requirements below are for your reference only; each season features newly specified repertoire.
The Taos School of Music application pool is one of the most competitive in the US. Each year, 19 Young Artists are selected and represent leading conservaories from around the world.
Apply to the Taos School of Music
Those who attend the School universally consider the experience to be the seminal experience of their career development. Taos School of Music alumni can be found in all of the country’s leading orchestras and in famed chamber music ensembles throughout the world.
At the School, you’ll:
- Forge close personal relationships with leading chamber ensembles, including the Borromeo, Brentano, Cooperstown, and Shanghai Quartets and pianists Robert McDonald and Thomas Sauer
- Transform into a higher manifestation of your artistic self
- Develop the confidence to bring works to the stage in condensed time periods
- Expand your professional network to include the leading musicians of today and tomorrow
- Rejuvenate in the magical mountains of Taos Ski Valley and be inspired by the rich cultural and artistic legacy of Taos – one of the country’s most important artistic centers
Audition Requirements
VIOLIN
BACH
Any fugue from a Bach solo sonata or 3-5 minute excerpt from the Chaconne from the D Minor Partita
CONCERTO
3-5 minute excerpt from any major concerto
MOZART
Quartet in G, K. 387, 1st mvt, exposition
BEETHOVEN
String Trio, Op. 9, No. 1, 4th mvt, 1-37
BARTOK
String Quartet No. 4, 5th mvt, mm. 261-299
*all chamber music excerpts are 1st violin
VIOLA
BACH
Movement from an unaccompanied work
CONCERTO
3-4 minute excerpt from any major concerto
BRAHMS
Bb String Quartet: III, Agitato (Allegretto non troppo); beginning through 1st 32-bars of trio (rehearsal F in Simrock)
BEETHOVEN
String Quartet Op. 95, IV: Allegro to end
CELLO
BACH
Movement from a solo suite
CONCERTO
3-4 minute excerpt from any major concerto
BEETHOVEN
Op 127: Mvt 1: Bars 135 to 189 downbeat
SCHUBERT
Trio Op 99: Mvt 2: Bars 3-23 downbeat
PIANO
SOLO WORKS
2 contrasting pieces
CHAMBER MUSIC EXCERPTS
On Feb. 1, Mr. McDonald will assign several chamber music excerpts; you will choose one that you have never studied to prepare and record. This recording will be included alongside the recordings of your solo works.
MAKING YOUR VIDEO AUDITION RECORDING
Make sure that your recording best represents your musical abilitiy and personality. First impressions count!
Videos should use only one camera and may not be edited beyond trimming the beginning and end of the take. Each work may be recorded separately, but the repertoire must match the requirements exactly. Piano accompaniment is not required. Please combine your videos into a single file and upload to YouTube. Be sure to create timestamps for each work included in your submission. And, please label the video with your name.
The link to your YouTube audition video is DUE MIDNIGHT FEBRUARY 8 , 2023. If you did not include the audition link in your application, please email it to auditions ( @ ) TaosSchoolofMusic . com.
2023 Costs
APPLICATION FEE
$85*
Applications close Feb 1, 2023
*Early bird discount ends January 13, when the application fee increases to $100.
TUITION
FREE
ROOM & BOARD
$700
($350 due upon acceptance, $350 due one week prior to arrival)
“My summer at the Taos School of Music fostered a sincere love for chamber music that continues, to this day, to be my motivating and inspirational force for all areas of my musical work. The Hotel St. Bernard remains a precious place in my heart, and my piano trio which formed at Taos, Trio St. Bernard, pays homage to its namesake.”
Sahun “Sam” Hong
Pianist · Arranger
“The coaching is spectacular, as are the performers and the location. It is the ideal place for the serious chamber musician.”
Stephanie Block
Viola, 2014 & 2015
“At Taos, I am looking forward to getting the chance to work with excellent chamber music mentors, as well as meeting and collaborating with new peers and discovering more about myself as a musician through lots of ensemble playing.”
Brandon Garbot
Violin, 2013
The Cleveland Institute
Start Your Application!
Submit your application before January 13, 2023 to take advantage of the early bird discount!