2026 RMF STUDENT APPLICATION

2026 STUDENT APPLICATION

Required Media Uploads: Headshot, Playing Samples, Video Interview (Scholarship/Fellowship Requirement)
Student Information

Students are allowed the use of cell phones, tablets, and laptops during the Festival. Please provide accurate student contact information as Slack/texts/emails are frequently used to contact students.
Student Name*

First NameLast Name
Instrument*
Student Age on June 21st, 2026:*
Student Date of Birth*

MonthDayYear
Student Sex*
Student Email*
example@example.com
Student Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Student Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Does the student have their own valid Driver's License? (Please note that students under 18 are not permitted to bring their car, drive a Festival car, or ride in a car with anyone other than the staff/volunteers at the Rushmore Music Festival.)*

Yes, bothDriver's License OnlyNot at the time of application, but plan to have both before the start of the Festival.No
Program Information & Financial Assistance
Which program are you applying for?*

Young Artist Program (Ages 12-18) - Session I ONLYYoung Artist Program (Ages 12-18) - Session II ONLYYoung Artist Program (Ages 12-18) - BOTH Sessions I & IIEmerging Artists Quartet-in-Residence Program (Ages 19-23) - BOTH Sessions I & IICollaborative Piano Fellowship (Ages 23-28) - BOTH Sessions I & II
If your session/program preference is not granted, would you like to be considered for another session/program?*

YesNo
Which other session(s) or program(s) would you like to be considered for if the one selected above is not granted? (Please only select the ones that you would be available for.)*

Young Artist Program (Ages 12-18) - Session I ONLYYoung Artist Program (Ages 12-18) - Session II ONLYYoung Artist Program (Ages 12-18) - BOTH Sessions I & IIEmerging Artists Quartet-in-Residence Program (Ages 19-23) - BOTH Sessions I & IICollaborative Piano Fellowship (Ages 23-28) - BOTH Sessions I & II
Which of the following describes your group application situation?*

I have my own pre-formed group & plan to submit chamber group video recordings for the audition.I have my own pre-formed group, but we do not have any group video recordings. Each of us plans to submit a solo audition including the required chamber music excerpts.I do NOT have a pre-formed group or suggestions for other members in the group. I would like to be considered for the Emerging Artists Quartet-in-Residence program and be placed into a group.
Please list other members of your pre-formed group and their instruments.*
How did you hear about the Rushmore Music Festival?*

Attended a prior summerReferred by a friendReferred by my teacherReferred by an RMF faculty memberReferred by a festival/institutionRMF Faculty visited my school, youth orchestra, or similar organizationAttended an RMF eventInstagramFacebookWeb SearchOther
What is the name of the individual who referred you?
Merit Scholarship & Financial Aid

Fellowship and Scholarship consideration is based both on merit and financial need. Please see Fees & Deadlines on the website for Tuition and Room & Board costs.
Select the type financial assistance that you would like to be considered for:*

Merit ScholarshipFinancial AidN/A (Collaborative Piano Fellowship applicants ONLY)
How much aid in total are you requesting?*
***Meal Plans are not eligible for Aid***
Please describe any financial circumstances that you would like us to consider in evaluating your request for financial aid. This might include family income, number of dependents, educational expenses, employment, unexpected hardships, or other factors that affect your ability to participate.
Student Video Interview (Required for ALL Fellowship/Scholarship/Financial Aid Applicants)

VIDEO PROMPT: Imagine that you’ve just stepped off the stage after a performance, and an audience member asks to learn more about you. In 3-5 minutes, please share: What excites you most about making music? Who inspires you as a musician, past or present? What do you feel is the role of a performer in connecting with listeners? How does music shape your life right now, and where do you hope it will take you in the future? Lastly, what would you like to explore, develop, or discover during your time at the Rushmore Music Festival?
Student Video Interview YouTube or Vimeo Link*
Would you like to be considered for a Student Counselor position? Must be 18 or older before the start of the Festival & have a valid Driver's License. (All counselors receive a Meal Plan reimbursement. Student Counselors attend regular classes in addition to their counselor responsibilities.)*

Yes - You must fill out a separate application form found on our website under "Become a Counselor" within 3 days of submitting this applicationNo
Should you not be selected for the counselor position following a virtual interview, would you still be interested in attending the Festival, or are you financially dependent on receiving the meal plan reimbursement?*

Yes, I would still be interested attending the FestivalNo, I would not be able to attend the Festival due to my family's financial circumstances
Education & Music Background
What school do you currently attend?*
Year in School (at the time of application)*
Years of Instrument Study*
If Other, please explain:
Do you currently have a private teacher?*

YesNo
Private Teacher Name*

First NameLast Name
Private Teacher Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Private Teacher Email*
example@example.com
Is your private teacher aware that you are applying to the Rushmore Music Festival?*

YesNo
Would you like us to be able to contact your private teacher for any Festival-related questions or updates?*
Are you enrolled in your school's orchestra program?*

YesNo
School Orchestra Teacher's Name*

First NameLast Name
School Orchestra Teacher's Email*
example@example.com
Are you enrolled in a local Youth Orchestra?*

YesNo
Name of Youth Orchestra/Organization*
What solo repertoire are you currently working on?*
Name of the last piece you performed*
Chamber Music Repertoire List (list ALL chamber music works that you have studied and/or performed) FOR COLLABORATIVE PIANO: List all Collaborative works studied and performed*
Solo Repertoire List (list ALL major solo works that you have studied and/or performed)*
Artist Biography (Please include any notable musical accomplishments, important performances, leadership positions, competition awards, other previously attended music festivals, masterclass performances, and any other information that your audience members might find interesting about you.)
Parent Contact Information
Parent/Guardian Name*

First NameLast Name
Parent/Guardian Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Parent/Guardian Email*
example@example.com
Emergency Contact Information
Emergency Contact Name*

First NameLast Name
Relationship of Emergency Contact to Student*
If other, please explain*
Emergency Contact Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Emergency Contact Email*
example@example.com
APPLICATION MEDIA UPLOADS
Student Headshot

Please be sure that your photo looks professional as it may be used in a concert program booklet or other Festival media. While it does not need to be professionally-taken, it is recommended that the photo is in portrait form, with your instrument, in formal attire, and with good lighting.
Student Headshot*

Cancelof
Audition Videos

Submission Guidelines: Submit a recent video recording of 2 contrasting pieces that demonstrate musical and technical ability, such as a movement of a standard concerto and a movement of Bach. For most accurate chamber music placement, it is recommended that video recordings were made within 3 months of the application deadline. ***COLLABORATIVE PIANO: At least one of your submissions should be a collaborative work. While you may include solo works, collaborative works are preferred.
Playing Sample #1 *
Please submit link to YouTube or Vimeo. Privacy settings must be set to UNLISTED and NOT private.
Playing Sample #2 *
Please submit link to YouTube or Vimeo. Privacy settings must be set to UNLISTED and NOT private.
Optional: Other Playing Samples (i.e. chamber music)
I have made sure that all of my audition videos & interviews have been marked as UNLISTED and not Private. This is necessary in order for all of our Faculty to be able to review applications using their individual email addresses. Failure to properly set the privacy settings will delay the processing of your application.

Clear
Legal
Waiver and Release

The undersigned is the adult-aged student, parent or legal guardian of a child attending an educational program run by the Rushmore Music Festival. By submitting this form, I agree to hold the Rushmore Music Festival, its staff, directors, faculty, volunteers, and agents harmless for any casualty, calamity, or negligence that might be encountered during the Rushmore Music Festival. I hereby agree that I, my child, my assignees, heirs, guardians, and legal representatives, will not make a claim against Rushmore Music Festival's staff, officers or directors collectively or individually, or any of the volunteer workers, for the injury of my child, or damage to his/her property sustained in connection to the educational programs run by the Rushmore Music Festival. I understand that Rushmore Music Festival is a non-profit organization made up of volunteers who are serving for the benefit of my child. Every precaution will be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of my child. Therefore I assume the risk in order that my child, gain the benefit by his/her participation in this program.
Waiver and Release - Signature*

Clear
Media Release

This is mandatory for ALL students attending the Rushmore Music Festival. Please contact us if you have any questions.
The undersigned is the adult-aged student, parent, or legal guardian of a child planning to participate in an educational program of the Rushmore Music Festival. I grant to Rushmore Music Festival, its representatives, and employees the right to take photographs and video recordings of me (if over 18)/my child and my property in connection with the above-identified subject. I authorize the Rushmore Music Festival, its assigns and transferees to copyright, use, and publish the same in print and/or electronically. I agree that Rushmore Music Festival may use such photographs and/or video recordings of my child with or without his/her name and for any lawful purpose, including for example such purposes as publicity, illustration, advertising, and Web content.
Media Release Signature*

Clear
Application Fee

If you cannot afford the application fee and would like to request a special fee waiver or reduction, please contact us. Please note that additional documentation may be requested.
Please verify that you are human*

Pay and Submit*

Student Application Fee (Regular Decision)Application Fee for consideration to attend the Rushmore Music Festival. This fee is non-refundable.

$95.00 Priority Decision Notification - Additional $25

Enter coupon

Total

$0.00

Credit Card Information
First Name	Last Name
Credit Card Number	Security Code
Card Expiration

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2026 STUDENT APPLICATION

Student Information

Program Information & Financial Assistance

Merit Scholarship & Financial Aid

Student Video Interview (Required for ALL Fellowship/Scholarship/Financial Aid Applicants)

Education & Music Background

Parent Contact Information

Emergency Contact Information

APPLICATION MEDIA UPLOADS

Student Headshot

Audition Videos

Legal

Media Release

Application Fee