The Cleveland Orchestra Summer Choral Institute
Join us June 22-26, 2026 at beautiful Severance Music Center in Cleveland, Ohio, for a week-long immersion in music! We're now accepting applications from conductors, singers, and collaborative pianists to work with Dr. Lisa Wong, Dr. Daniel Overly, Grammy-Award-winning baritone Dashon Burton, and members of The Cleveland Orchestra. We are also accepting applications for chorus members and auditors.
Participants will prepare and perform selections from Craig Hella Johnson's Considering Matthew Shepard, conducted by Lisa Wong, Director of Choruses for The Cleveland Orchestra. In addition, the week includes vocal masterclasses, coachings, interest sessions, roundtable discussions, and ample podium time in a supportive and enriching environment.
The experience culminates in two performances: a vocal recital in Reinberger Chamber Hall and a final performance of the Summer Institute Chorus and members of The Cleveland Orchestra in Considering Matthew Shepard at Severance Music Center.
Apply now as a conductor, vocalist, collaborative pianist, chorus member, or auditor.
Basic Daily Schedule
*Some variations depending on day and track. Subject to change slightly.
10:00 - 12:30 Sessions and masterclasses
12:30 - 2:00 Lunch break
2:00 - 4:00 Sessions and coachings
4:00 - 7:00 Dinner break
7:00 - 10:00 Rehearsal
Choral Conducting Track
Designed for graduate students, emerging professionals, and anyone looking to refresh their conducting and rehearsal skills. Participants will attend daily sessions on rehearsal technique, score study, and contemporary issues facing conductors, while receiving ample podium time and coachings on varied repertoire from the conducting staff of The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus. Podium time includes a rehearsal with members of The Cleveland Orchestra. All conductors sing as a part of the Summer Institute Chorus. Audition required. Fee is $500 upon acceptance.
Vocal Soloist Track
Participants will work with guest artists and members of The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus staff in masterclasses, coachings, and topical sessions. The track culminates in a public recital in Reinberger Chamber Hall at Severance Music Center. Some participants may be selected as soloists for Considering Matthew Shepard, and all sing as a part of the Summer Institute Chorus. Open to current undergraduate and graduate music students as well as emerging professionals. Audition required. Fee is $500 upon acceptance.
Collaborative Piano Track
The Collaborative Piano track provides participants with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of art song, oratorio, and choral collaborative piano through participation in private coachings, group classes, and masterclasses led by the music staff of The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus. The selected pianists will work closely with the Vocal Soloists throughout the week and join them in recital in Reinberger Chamber Hall. The Collaborative Piano track is open to current undergraduate and graduate music students as well as emerging professionals. Audition required. Fee is $500 upon acceptance.
Chorus Member
Participants will sing in evening rehearsals of the Summer Institute Chorus, led by Dr. Lisa Wong. The week of rehearsals culminates in a performance at Severance Music Center of selections from Considering Matthew Shepard, featuring guest baritone Dashon Burton and members of The Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus. Application required. Fee is $100 upon acceptance.
Auditor
Auditors sing as a part of the Summer Institute Chorus and are invited to attend all masterclasses, interest sessions, and conducting sessions. Application required. Fee is $200 upon acceptance.
Included for each track:
Masterclasses, coachings, interest sessions
Podium time for conductors, including a session with members of The Cleveland Orchestra
Video recordings of participant-led rehearsals
Video recordings of participant masterclasses and recital performance
Pianist from The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus provided for soloists
All choral scores, including Considering Matthew Shepard
Choral Conductor
Conductors should submit a resume detailing their conducting experience, and a 10-minute front-facing video of themselves conducting choral repertoire in rehearsal and performance.
Vocal Soloist
Vocalists should submit a resume and a video recording up to 10 minutes of two contrasting, accompanied works. Those who wish to be considered as soloists for Considering Matthew Shepard should include one of the following excerpts from the work:
3. We Tell Each Other Stories (through m. 27)
10. Keep It Away From Me
17. The Innocence
23. In Need of Breath
Applicants needing excerpts from Considering Matthew Shepard should email Victoria Peacock at vpeacock@clevelandorchestra.com
Collaborative Pianist
Pianists should submit a CV or resume and the following excerpts:
-Two contrasting pieces from the classical vocal repertoire (art song, opera aria, or oratorio aria) to be performed with a singer.
-The orchestral reduction from one of the following excerpts performed solo:
- Brahms Ein deutsches Requiem mvt. III. from m. 173 to the end of the mvt.
- Brahms Ein deutsches Requiem mvt. VI. from m. 208 to the end of the mvt.
- Mozart Requiem mvt. II. Kyrie (complete)
- Schubert Mass in E-flat mvt. II. from m. 260 to the end of the mvt.
-The piano part to one of the following excerpts from Considering Matthew Shepherd performed solo:
- “Ordinary Boy” mm. 6-47
- “All of Us” – opening to m. 33
-The choral parts played from open score from the following excerpt: “The Innocence” from Considering Matthew Shepherd mm. 27 to the end of the movement.
Applicants needing excerpts from Considering Matthew Shepard should email Victoria Peacock at vpeacock@clevelandorchestra.com
Chorus Member
Members of the Summer Institute Chorus will participate in nightly rehearsals led by Dr. Lisa Wong, Director of Choruses for The Cleveland Orchestra. The week of rehearsals culminates in a performance at Severance Music Center of selections from Considering Matthew Shepard, featuring guest baritone Dashon Burton and members of The Cleveland Orchestra.
No audition needed. Applications are open until May 29th or until full.
Auditor
Auditors sing as a part of the Summer Institute Chorus (see details above) and are invited to attend all masterclasses, interest sessions, and conducting sessions.
No audition needed. Applications are open until May 29th or until full.
Questions?
Email us at chorus@clevelandorchestra.com!