Chamber Music Session
For six weeks each summer, advanced individual instrumentalists and preformed ensembles come to Norfolk to immerse themselves in the study and performance of chamber music.
Norfolk Fellows are mentored by acclaimed artists with whom they perform on the Festival’s main concert series. Fellows also perform regularly on the Emerging Artist Series series. All concerts are live streamed and recorded.
All fellows accepted to the Chamber Music Session receive an Ellen Battell Stoeckel Fellowship covering the full cost of tuition, housing, and meals.
The Chamber Music Session is open to winds, brass, strings, and piano. Individual instrumentalists as well as pre-formed ensembles— piano trios, string quartets, wind quintets, and brass quintets — are welcome to apply. Fellows accepted as individual instrumentalists will be placed into ensembles. Scroll down for application information.
July 5 – August 16, 2026
Applications are closed for summer 2026.
“Norfolk was a once-in-a-lifetime experience… The skills I gained from focusing on chamber music the entire summer have been extremely beneficial, even in my orchestral career.”
Olivia Chaikin (NCMF ‘25)
How to Apply
Applications are closed for summer 2026.
The Norfolk Chamber Music Festival – Yale School of Music will accept applications for the 2026 Chamber Music Session from individual violin, viola, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, and piano instrumentalists, as well as pre-formed string quartets, wind quintets, brass quintets, and piano trios. Participants are selected on the basis of ability and supporting materials. All Chamber Music Session participants will receive a fellowship covering the full cost of tuition, housing, and meals.
Session + Application Fees
Application fee: $80 (non-refundable)
Registration fee: $300 (refundable)
- The registration fee is due upon acceptance of the fellowship.
- The registration fee is refundable after completion of the program subject to deductions in the event of damage or loss to any property, non-compliance with any Festival policies, and successful completion of work-study assignments.
- Pre-formed ensembles: Each member of the group must submit the $300 registration fee. One person may also pay for the entire ensemble.
Ellen Battell Stoeckel Fellowship
Requirements
All materials must be received by the deadline. A complete application must include:
1. Online application
The application includes sections where you will upload all of your application materials. Applications can be started and then saved to be continued at a later time.
Application for individual:
Choose the 2026 Chamber Music Session application. DO NOT use the 2026 Ensemble Member Supplement. This is for additional members of pre-formed ensembles only.
Application for pre-formed ensemble:
Below are the two parts of the online application for pre-formed ensembles:
- 2026 Chamber Music Session application to be completed by one ensemble member designated as the ensemble’s primary contact. This must be completed first.
- 2026 Ensemble Member Supplement to be completed by all remaining ensemble members.
The primary contact will first complete the 2026 Chamber Music Application. This person must know the following information for each member:
- Each member’s full name, address, instrument, birthdate (date, month, and year), and email address (This is the email where the application link will be sent.)
- The ensemble’s preferred audition dates (first and second choices).
Primary contact will upload letters of recommendation, recordings, repertoire, and group CV/résumé. All materials must represent the ensemble, not individual members.
After the primary contact submits the application, the remaining members will receive an email with a link and temporary PIN to help “reset the password” for the “2026 Ensemble Member Supplement,” which will appear as “already in progress.”
Each member must submit an application and the $80 application fee.
If a member of the ensemble would also like to be considered as an individual, that member must submit an additional, separate application and application fee.
2. Screening Video(s)
Screening video recordings must be uploaded as part of the application. Videos uploaded to YouTube will be accepted. Recordings of poor quality will not be evaluated.
See the Screening and Live Audition Repertoire section below for more information related to your instrument.
3. Two letters of recommendation
On the application, you will provide your recommenders’ email addresses. Each recommender will receive an automatic email with instructions on how to complete their recommendation. Letters must be written after January 1, 2025.
4. Résumé or CV
Your résumé or CV must reflect experience and studies. It is helpful to include such information as schools attended, private teachers, performance experience, competition experience, and music festival experience.
5. Repertoire List
A list of works (with composers) you have performed, been coached on, and/or rehearsed, with an emphasis on chamber works.
Pianists: Repertoire list must include chamber works you have studied or performed in the past three years.
6. Non-refundable $80 application fee
Once the online application is submitted, you will be prompted to submit the application fee.
Audition Repertoire
Preformed String Ensembles (with and without piano)
- Two complete works of contrasting styles from the standard repertoire. One work must be by Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven.
Preformed Wind Quintets
- Three complete works of contrasting styles from different stylistic periods, including at least one work from the 20th or 21st century.
Preformed Brass Quintets
- Three complete works of contrasting styles from different stylistic periods, including at least one work from the 20th or 21st century.
Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, and Horn
- Either two complete works of contrasting styles from different stylistic periods, OR two movements of contrasting works, PLUS four contrasting excerpts from the standard orchestral repertoire.
Trumpet, Trombone, and Tuba
- Two contrasting works from different stylistic periods and four varied excerpts from the standard orchestral repertoire.
Violin
- One movement from an unaccompanied Bach sonata or partita and one movement from a standard Classical, Romantic, or 20th century concerto.
- FOR LIVE AUDITION ONLY: in addition to the list above include, the first violin part, Beethoven String Quartet in A Major, Op.18, No. 5, first movement, exposition only.
Viola
- One movement from an unaccompanied Bach suite, sonata, or partita and one movement from a standard Classical, Romantic, or 20th century concerto.
- FOR LIVE AUDITION ONLY: in addition to the list above, include viola part from 1) Brahms, String Sextet No. 1 in B-Flat Major, Op. 18, second movement, measures 1-24; AND 2) Beethoven String Quartet Op. 59, No. 3, fourth movement, measures 1-47
Cello
- One movement from an unaccompanied Bach suite and one movement from a standard Classical, Romantic, or 20th century concerto.
- FOR LIVE AUDITION ONLY: in addition to the list above, include the cello part from 1) Mozart String Quartet No. 23 in F Major, K. 590; first movement, measures 1-42; AND 2) Brahms String Sextet in B-flat Major, Op. 18; first cello part; fourth movement (Rondo), measures 1-17
Piano
- Two contrasting movements from a sonata by Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, or Schubert, a larger Romantic 19th century work, and a 20th or 21st century composition.
Repertoire should demonstrate variety and flexibility. A recent recital video may be substituted if the program falls within the guidelines listed. Recordings with an accompanist are encouraged but not required.
Video recordings must be uploaded with the application. Recordings of poor quality will not be evaluated.
If you have questions about repertoire or the requirements, please email norfolk@yale.edu or call the Norfolk office at 860 542-3000.
Live Auditions
Live auditions for the Chamber Music Session will be held in select cities across the United States. Applicants invited to a live audition will be notified by email. Videos may substitute for live auditions in exceptional cases where extensive travel is required. Sight reading may be required at the live audition. Applicants are encouraged but not required to perform with an accompanist.
AUDITION DATES
Violin, Viola, Cello, String Quartets, Piano Trio
Boston, MA: Friday, January 23
Los Angeles, CA: Sunday, January 25
Philadelphia, PA: Wednesday, February 4
New York, NY: Saturday, February 7, 2026
New Haven, CT: Sunday, February 8, 2026
Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Wind Quintet
Boston, MA: Friday, January 23
Los Angeles, CA: Sunday, January 25
New Haven, CT: Monday, February 2
Philadelphia, PA: Wednesday, February 4
New York, NY: Friday, February 6
Trumpet, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Tuba, Brass Quintet
Boston, MA: Friday, January 23
Los Angeles, CA: Sunday, January 25
Philadelphia, PA: Wednesday, February 4
New York, NY: Friday, February 6
New Haven, CT: to be announced
Piano only
Boston, MA: Friday, January 23
Los Angeles, CA: Sunday, January 25
New Haven, CT: Tuesday, February 3
Philadelphia, PA: Wednesday, February 4
New York, NY: Friday, February 6
Acceptance
String and piano applicants will be emailed the results of their application and audition by March 1, 2026. Wind and brass applicants will be emailed results before March 31.
A refundable registration fee of $300 must be paid by credit card within 10 days of acceptance to secure one’s position. The fee will be refunded after completion of the program subject to deductions in the event of damage or loss to any property, or non-compliance with any Festival policies. All fees are required upon acceptance of fellowship.
Fees must be paid by credit card: Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted. Cash and checks are not accepted.
Questions?
Call 860.542.3000 | Email →