Tanglewood Music Center

The TMC is supported by donations from generous individuals, groups, businesses, and foundations. Each Fellow receives one or two specific Fellowships that generously cover the cost of tuition, with room and board included, allowing us to keep the TMC free to attend.

While the Tanglewood Music Center does not accept applications from students who have not completed their secondary education (high school), the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, which is operated by the Boston University College of Fine Arts in partnership with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, does. 

The TMC is tuition-free. Housing, breakfast, and dinner are provided free of charge and Fellows receive a stipend to cover the cost of lunches.

All first-year Fellows must pay a $250 registration fee. Returning Fellows pay a $200 fee.

Fellows are responsible for the cost of travel to and from the festival and other incidental expenses. At this time, we are unable to provide help with travel costs.

Application deadlines vary by program. Check the deadlines for each.

The fee is $75 for all applicants.

If you have a hardship that you feel renders you unable to pay the application fee, we are happy to accommodate a waiver. Please use this link to submit a request.

All applicants to the Tanglewood Music Center must be at least 18 years old as of the beginning of the program and have completed their secondary school education (high school). Additionally, applicants to the Vocal Arts Program must be between 20 and 35 years old as of the start of the program.

Decision timelines vary, so please check the application page for your program.

The TMC welcomes applications from international students, who may either travel to the U.S. for a live audition or submit a video audition. If accepted, all international students must attend the TMC on a valid, non-tourist visa. For those without a current, valid visa, the TMC issues I-20 forms that enable students to apply for an M-1 student visa; all fees associated with obtaining the visa are borne by the Fellow. 

Most programs do not require recommendations. For those that do, recommendations must be submitted along with your application.

For programs that require recommendations, the deadline is one day after the application deadline. Please submit your application early to allow your recommender ample time to upload their documentation.

The fee is $75 for all applicants.

On the Instrumental Program Application Instructions page.

Live auditions and video auditions are evaluated equally. Applicants are encouraged to audition live if they are able but will not be penalized for submitting a video recording instead.

No. They are there for reference but not required. 

Yes, applicants may audition for clarinet, bass clarinet, or both. Those who wish to audition for both should select the "Clarinet / Bass Clarinet" option when filling out the Instrument field on their Acceptd application. 

For their audition, applicants should be prepared to play the clarinet repertoire followed by the bass clarinet repertoire (skipping the Mozart concerto during the bass clarinet portion). If scheduling a live audition, applicants should email the TMC office at [email protected] after scheduling their time so a 20-minute audition slot can be arranged.

MIDI recordings of compositions are acceptable if the applicant does not have a suitable recording of their piece being performed live. 

No. All auditions for the Instrumental Program should be played unaccompanied.

Most TMC Fellows reside in dormitory style residence halls at Miss Hall’s School, approximately seven miles from the Tanglewood campus.

TMC Fellows are encouraged to bring a car. For those without a car, regular bus service is provided between the Tanglewood campus and the residence hall.

The TMC's residence at Miss Hall's School does not allow for pets or emotional support animals to accompany Fellows during the summer. If you have an ADA required and registered service animal and are admitted into the TMC we will work with you to offer an exception.

Because of the demanding schedule at the TMC, no such opportunities are available and Fellows are not permitted to accept outside performance engagements while attending the TMC.