Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Schlern International Music Festival?
A: The Schlern International Music Festival is an intensive three-week summer music program and concert series that gathers musicians from many countries. The Festival is an independent nonprofit organization and is organized under the auspices of UNESCO.

Q: When is the application due?
A: The deadline for applications is February 1.

Q: Will applications be accepted after the deadline?
A: The Festival admissions office will accept applications after the deadline if student vacancies remain.

Q: Can I apply online?
A: You can download the application, complete it and send it by mail. Remember to check the “Application Checklist” before submitting it. Direct online applications are not available.

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 tape only since the faculty members reside in different countries during the year.

Q: Can you provide and 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 or two of vocal selections for the vocalists. The total length of your recording should be about 15 minutes. Returning students are exempt from submitting a video recording with their application.

Q: What age groups participate in the Festival?
A: Our students range from 14 to 50+ 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 Voels am Schlern/Fie allo Sciliar (the Italian Alps resort town) and is in walking distance to the Festival school. 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 day trip.

Q: Will I have an opportunity to perform?
A: Yes, concerts are held every day and students actively prepare and participate in all festival concerts in the Sudtirol region of Italy.

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 are available to rent from the music shop in the nearby city of Bolzano. You need to let us know by March 15 and we will be glad to reserve one for you.

Q: What kind of clothes should I bring?
A: Bring your normal 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 84 (during the day) toward the end of June and beginning of July in this mountain resort town. You will truly enjoy the weather here, which is nearly impossible to match in the rest of Italy during this time of year! Your concert clothes should contain the regular for group performances: white/black top, black bottom, black shoes. If you are scheduled to perform solo bring your favorite concert clothes. 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.

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 magnificent area of Voels am Schlern, swim in the local lake or go on day trips or perhaps visit nearby cities and tourist attractions like Verona, Cremona, Venice, Lake Garda (all accessible by train or bus). There will be evening concerts on weekends at which our artists-in-residence will be engaged.

Q: Are scholarships available?
A: A very limited number of scholarships are available to outstanding students on a first come first serve 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 may be asked to perform small 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 by 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 the location. Chamber groups will be coached by the festival faculty for performances.

Q: Can I use my debit or credit cards there?
A: There is a bank 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.

Q: How can I get to Voels am Schlern?
A: Please remember that in the Sudtirol region of Italy there are two languages accepted, Italian and German, so the town where the festival is held has two names Fie allo Sciliar (Italian) and Voels am Schlern (German), the latter used more often. You can find travel directions on the "Location and Travel" page of the festival's website. The ride from either Milan or Munich airport is about 3 hours long, Innsbruck airport is a little closer but also smaller (2 hour ride). If you travel independently from Milan or Munich airport to Voels am Schlern, you may take a train to Bolzano and then a bus from Bolzano to Voels am Schlern (30 minute ride, last bus departs around 7 pm).