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 and Chorus.
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, vocal soloist, chorus member, pianist, or auditor.
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.
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.
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.