Welcome to the International Summer Music Institute (ISMI) at UNT! Now in our 10th season, ISMI (formerly Summer String Institute) is open to string (cello, double bass, guitar, viola, and violin) and piano students. Our internationally acclaimed faculty and guest artists are excited to welcome you for fun music-filled days at the UNT College of Music in Denton, Texas. Students will experience private lessons, chamber music, chamber orchestra, masterclasses, faculty concerts, clinics, and performance opportunities.
To evaluate your skills on your instrument and appropriately place you into a chamber group and/or orchestra, all students are required to upload two videos of their playing to the registration form. Each must include audio and video and should be no longer than five minutes each. ISMI is geared toward students who are prepared to practice and rehearsal independently and who have been playing, on average, for at least four years. If a student’s videos indicate they would be better served by attending Prelude at ISMI (July 7-11), we will make that recommendation and help you shift your application.
Chamber music and orchestra repertoire will be sent electronically (pdf format) to all participants no later than 14 days before ISMI begins.
Violin
College Students: A movmeent of standard concerto or similar solo work and a movement from the solo sonatas and partitas by J.S. Bach.
Middle/High Schoolers: Two contrasting solo pieces.
Viola, Cello
College Students: A movement of a standard concerto or simlar work and a movement from the solo suites by J.S. Bach.
Middle/High Schoolers: Two contrasting solo pieces.
Double Bass
College Students: Two contrasting solo pieces.
Middle/High Schoolers: Two contasting solo pieces.
Guitar
All Students: Applicants must perfomr on classical guitar (acoustic nylon-string). Two contrasting
selections, up to 15 minutes per video. The pieces should be at a difficulty level
equivalent to or higher than the Etudes by Sor, Carcassi, or Villa-Lobos.
Piano
College Students: Prelude and Fugue of J.S. Bach. Approximate 5-minute selection of one movement of
a classical sonata (Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven). Approximate 5-minute selection of a
third piece in a contrastinc style (Romantic, Impressionistic, 20th/21st century).
Middle/High Schoolers: Two or three-part Invention of J.S. Bach. Approsimate 5-minute selection of one
movement of a classical sonata (Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven). Apprximate 5-minute selection
of a third piece in contrasting style (Romantic, Impressionistic, 20th/21st century).
The International Summer Music Institute will hold its annual concerto competition for violin, viola, cello, double bass, guitar, and piano. The first round is conducted via the videos uploaded to your registration and the second is in person.
To enter the competition please upload your audition videos and indicate on your application your intent to audition for the concerto competition. The cost to enter the competition is $35. (This cost covers our pianist costs for the competition.) This fee is non-refundable.
Piano rehearsals for contestants: July 5, 2025, 6:00 - 7:30 pm (rooms assigned at orientation)
Live Semi-Final Round: Saturday July 6, 2025, 7:30 pm @UNT College of Music Recital hall
Performance Dates: Saturday July 12, 2025, Gala Concert in Murchison Performing Arts Center
Up to two winners will be selected to perform with the orchestra. Additional contestants may be considered to perform with piano in the first half of the gala concert.
Indicate your intent to participate in the Final Registration stage through Acceptd. You will be able upload a video with your repertoire section from the list below. A jury comprised of ISMI faculty will decide which participants move on to perform for the second round of the competition.
The winning contestants will perform with the ISMI Chamber Orchestra in the Gala Concert.
Our top prize winner will also receive a full-tuition waiver to attend ISMI in 2025.
Additional prizes or honorable mentions may be awarded.
Each contestant will be given a 10-minute audition slot. ISMI will provide a collaborative
pianist and a rehearsal time for each contestant.
Violin
Concerto in A minor, BWV 1041 by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) - Movement 1: Allegro moderato
Concerto in E major, BWV 1042, by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) - Movement 1: Allegro
Concerto in C major, Hob. 7a/1 by Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) - Movement 1: Allegro moderato
Concerto in G major, Hob.7a/4 by Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
Mélodie Op.42 #3, for Violin and String Orchestra by Pjotr Ilyitch Tchaikovsky (1810-1893)
Viola
Romanze Op.85 for Viola and Orchestra by Max Bruch (1838-1920)
Concerto in D major, Op.1, by Carl Anton Stamitz (1746-1801) - Any movement
Concerto in D major by Franz Anton Hoffmeister (1754-1812) - Movement 1: Allegro or both Movement 2: Poco adagio and Movement 3: Rondo. Allegro
Trauermusik by Paul Hindemith (1895-1963)
(complete work)
Cello
Cello Concerto No. 1 in C major, Hob. 7b/1 by Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) - Movement 1: Moderato
Cello Concerto No.1 in A minor Op.73 by Camille Saint-Säens
Double Bass
Concerto No. 2 in B minor by Giovanno Bottesini (1821-1889) - Movement 1: Allegro
Concerto No. 2 in F# minor by Serge Koussevitzky (1874-1951) - Movement 1: Allegro
Piano
Concerto No. 1 in D minor, BWV 1052 by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) - Movement 1: Allegro
Concerto No. 1 in F major, Hob. 18/3 by Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) - Movement 1: Allegro
Concerto No. 11 in D major, Hob. 18/11 by Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) - Movement 3: Rondo all’Ungarese. Allegro assai
Concerto No. 1 in E minor Op.11, by Fréderic Chopin (1810-1849) - Movement 2
Concerto No.2 in F minor by Fréderic Chopin (1810-1849) - Movement 3
Guitar:
Vivaldi - Concerto for Lute in D Major, RV 93
Mauro Giuliani - Concerto for Guitar and String Orchestra, Op. 30.
Participants residing on campus must provide their own bedding (extra-long twin size), pillows, towels, and toiletries.
To register, visit https://app.getacceptd.com/untmusicworkshops. Begin by selecting your Area (Strings OR Piano/Collaborative Piano) and Program (UNT International Summer Music Institute). For technical questions, please visit the Acceptd Help Desk.
Deadlines
Deposit
Final Payment
Early Bird Tuition Discounts
Registration Process
Step 1 – Application Stage
Step 2 – Final Registration Stage
Step 3 – Final Payment Stage
8:00am - 8:40am | Breakfast (boarders) |
8:30am | Drop-Off (commuters) |
8:40am | Daily Announcements |
8:45am - 10:30am | Orchestra |
10:30am - 12:00pm | Lessons/Coachings |
12:00pm - 1:00pm | Lunch |
1:00pm - 3:00pm | Ensembles/Masterclasses |
3:00pm - 4:30pm | Lessons/Coachings |
4:30pm - 6:00pm | Chamber Ensemble Coachings |
6:30pm - 7:30pm | Dinner |
7:30pm - 9:00pm | Concer/Clinic/Recreational Activity |
9:00pm | Pick-Up (commuters) |
10:00pm | Lights Out (boarders) |
A more detailed schedule will be provided approximately one week before the workshop begins. The schedule is subject to change, and any changes will be communicated to participants in a timely manner.
Welcome to Prelude at ISMI! Formerly String Orchestra Day Camp, we are excited to announce Prelude at ISMI as an extension program of the UNT International Summer Music Institute (ISMI). Prelude at ISMI is open to string (cello, double bass, viola, and violin) students with at least one year of experience. The program consists of multiple ensembles at differing levels conducted by faculty from UNT and across the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area and will conclude in a concert presented on the final day of the workshop. Students have the opportunity to develop and maintain their technique, learn new repertoire, and make wonderful new friends through music.
If you have any questions regarding the changes from String Orchestra Day Camp or the difference between Prelude at ISMI and the UNT International Summer Music Institute, we’d love to talk to you! Please contact us at music.camps@unt.edu or (940) 369-6541.
There is no audition required for acceptance into the program. The faculty will evaluate your skills on your instrument and place you appropriately into an ensemble upon your arrival. You will be asked to indicate your level of experience on the registration form:
*Minor boarding for students ages 12 and up only. For younger students who wish to board, there is an option to share a double room with a parent/guardian in one of our adult residence halls. Please email music.camps@unt.edu for more information.
Participants residing on campus must provide their own bedding (extra-long twin size), pillows, towels, and toiletries.
To register, visit https://app.getacceptd.com/untmusicworkshops. Begin by selecting your Area (Strings) and Program (Prelude at ISMI). For technical questions, please visit the Acceptd Help Desk.
Deadlines
Deposit
Final Payment
Early Bird Tuition Discounts
Registration Process
Step 1 – Application Stage
Step 2 – Final Registration Stage
Step 3 – Final Payment Stage
9:00am - 9:45am | Breakfast (boarders) |
9:45am | Drop-Off (commuters) |
9:50am - 10:50am | Rehearsal |
10:50am - 11:00am | Break |
11:00am - 11:50am | Rehearsal |
11:50am - 12:50pm | Lunch |
1:00pm - 1:50pm | Group Class/Technique/All-State |
1:50pm - 2:00pm | Break |
2:00pm - 3:15pm | Masterclass/Workshop |
3:30pm - 4:45pm | Recreation/Activity |
5:00pm - 5:15pm | Pick-Up (commuters) |
6:00pm - 7:00pm | Dinner (boarders) |
7:00pm - 9:00pm | Concert/Clinic/Activity (boarders) |
This is only a sample and subject to change.
Additional questions? Please contact music.camps@unt.edu or call (940) 369-6541.