Concordia Summer Piano Music Festival

About

The Concordia Summer Piano Music Festival is a fun and inspiring two-week program for pianists ages 10 through college level. More than a traditional summer camp, the festival offers a supportive and enriching environment where students learn, grow, and make music together.

At Concordia, students do more than practice. Through private lessons, group classes, and performance opportunities, they develop confidence as musicians and performers. Our dedicated faculty guide students in refining their technical skills, expressing musical ideas, and performing with confidence on stage.

Over the course of two weeks, students build lasting confidence, explore new musical perspectives, and develop a deeper love for music in a positive and encouraging community.

Important Dates

• Applications Open: February 15, 2026
• Early Application Deadline: April 1, 2026
• Early Acceptance Notification: By April 5, 2026
• Early Acceptance Full Payment Due: April 10, 2026
• Regular Application Deadline: May 1, 2026
• Regular Acceptance Notification: By May 5, 2026
• Regular Acceptance Full Payment Due: May 10, 2026

Categories

• Rising Stars: Ages 10–13
• Emerging Professionals: High school to college level

Audition & Application

Festival Audition

Video audition required.

Applicants must submit one or two video recordings representing their highest musical level via YouTube or similar platforms.

Selections must represent one of the following style periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary

🎼 Concerto Competition

Concordia Summer Piano Music Festival 2026

The Concerto Competition is open to the public. Participation is not limited to enrolled festival students.

Qualified pianists who are prepared to perform one movement from the approved repertoire list are invited to apply.

Festival participants are exempt from the concerto competition application fee.

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: May 1, 2026
• Competition Date: July 12, 2026

Divisions

• Junior Division: Ages 10–13
• High School Division
• College Division

Awards

Winners of each division will be featured as soloists with the Summer Festival Chamber Orchestra in the official Concerto Concert, one of the featured events of the 2026 festival.

Repertoire Requirement

Participants will perform one movement from one of the following concerti:

• Mozart – Piano Concertos No. 5, 6, 8, 9, 11–26
• Beethoven – Piano Concertos No. 1–5
• Mendelssohn – Piano Concertos No. 1 (Op. 25) or No. 2 (Op. 40)
• Schumann – Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54
• Grieg – Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 (1st movement)
• Chopin – Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 (1st movement)

Tuition & Fees

Item	Date	Cost
Early Application	April 1, 2026	$30
Regular Application	May 1, 2026	$60
Tuition (Early Acceptance)	April 10, 2026	$1,740
Tuition (Regular Acceptance)	May 10, 2026	$1,740
Concerto Competition Fee	If applicable	$120
Concerto Performance Fee	Selected performers	$500
Room & Board (3 meals/day, weekdays)	May 30, 2026	$1,500
Optional Lunch Package (10 meals)		$140

Non-paid internship hours are available for high school students.

Faculty

Program Director: Dr. Hyunjoo Choi

Artist Faculty & Guest Artists

Lesson and Masterclass

• Dr. Lorna Griffitt
  UC Irvine
• Dr. Grace Fong
  Professor; Director, Keyboard Studies, Chapman University
• Dr. Myungjoo Lee
  California State University, Fullerton
• Dr. Alan Woo
  University of Georgia, Assistant Professor of Piano
• Dr. Judy Huang
  MTNA Senior Competitions Coordinator
  MTAC Concerto/Solo Competitions State Chair
• Dr. KookHee Hong & Dr. Minji Noh – Piano Duo Art
• Sung Chang
  Pianist and Conductor

Featured Class:

• Dr. Christian Hauser
  Concordia University Irvine
• Prof. Mina Choi
  Concordia University Irvine
• Erik Der
  Concordia University Irvine