Collaborative Piano Program

JUNE 22 - AUGUST 3, 2024 (6-WEEK PROGRAM)
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2024 Applications Closed

Instruments used in this program:


Program Overview: Bowdoin’s Collaborative Piano Program is a six-week summer course of intensive instrumental study for accomplished pianists interested in a collaborative career. Select top applicants admitted to the Collaborative Piano program will receive full fellowships (free tuition/fees/room/board). In addition, applicants not awarded the full fellowship may be admitted to the instrumental program where scholarships are available. A full six-week participation is required. All collaborative piano fellows and students receive:

  • private lessons on their assignments with Pei-Shan Lee
  • coachings with instrumental partners
  • weekly studio classes
  • ample performance opportunities
  • advisement on professional topics

Additionally, valuable experience is gained from collaboration in the instrumental studios, masterclasses, and concert performances both on campus and in the community. Interested collaborative pianists may also audition to be placed in a piano chamber group, and have the chance to work with composer fellows on contemporary music.

Visit ADMISSIONS HOME for information about program fees, student life, and the application process.

Studying with Dr. Pei-Shan Lee as a Fellow at the Festival has proven to be one of the most rewarding professional experiences of my career thus far—her breadth of knowledge regarding the physicality of playing the piano and her keen ear for stylistic practices and theoretical relationships in pieces, combined with her personal warmth and guidance as a teacher, have all greatly furthered my studies as a pianist.
—Brandon Linhard

By The Numbers

5

COLLABORATIVE PIANISTS

6

WEEK PROGRAM

18+

TYPICAL AGE

80

FACULTY & ARTISTS

100%

FUNDED

200

CONCERTS & EVENTS

Audition Requirements

Audition Options: Applicants may choose to submit audition videos, audition live via Zoom, or have a live audition if living in Boston. Due to COVID, we discourage applicants from flying to Boston for a live audition. Zoom auditions will occur on Sunday, January 28 and Boston auditions will occur on Tuesday, January 30. Applicants taking live Zoom or Boston auditions must still complete the online application and upload all the required documents but should skip the video upload section. You must also meet ALL of the following live audition requirements to have a Zoom audition: (1) pianist and partner must be in the same room; (2) have a good laptop and an external mic; (3) connect to the internet with an ethernet cable.

Audition Videos: Submit audition videos from categories A and B. Recordings must be live performances with an instrumental partner(s). Videos may be uploaded or linked from YouTube or Vimeo. Applicants wishing to submit alternative repertoire must request permission from the Collaborative Piano Director. Please direct your inquiries to Pei-Shan Lee at impeishan@gmail.com.

  • A. Duo Sonata. First AND Second movements from one of the following sonatas: Beethoven: Sonata for Piano & Violin No. 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, or 9; Beethoven: Any Sonata for Piano & Cello; Brahms: Sonata for Piano & Violin No. 2, 3; Sonata for Piano & Clarinet/Viola No. 1, 2; Sonata for Piano & Cello No. 2
  • B. Orchestral Reductions. First movement from one of the following concerti: Sibelius or Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto; Bartok or Walton Viola Concerto; Dvorak or Shostakovich Cello Concerto No. 1.
  • C. A brief interview and/or sight-reading may be requested through an online video appointment.

Curriculum Vitae and Repertoire List: A personal résumé detailing your education, musical background, and concert activities. And a “collaborative” repertoire list detailing all duo sonatas, concerti, and character pieces previously studied. Please organize the repertoire first by instruments (violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, and chamber music), then by composers in alphabetical order. Place an * next to pieces you have performed in public.

Collaborative Piano

Pei-Shan Lee, Collaborative Piano Director, and Collaborative Piano fellows discuss their experience at the Festival.

STUDY

  • Private lessons and coachings with faculty
  • Studio classes
  • Composer lectures
  • Seminars with faculty and guest artists

PERFORM

  • Young Artists Series
  • Community Concerts
  • Masterclasses

BENEFITS

  • Fully-funded fellowships available
  • Free tickets to faculty concerts
  • Livestream of performances and masterclasses
  • HD video recordings of performances
  • Photos sessions with Festival photographer

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