Program Dates
June 20- July 22, 2011 (five weeks, Monday through Friday)
Please check the Concert Info page for performance dates.

Harp students will attend July 5 -July 22 only.
Part-time attendance is possible only if major scheduling conflicts exist. Click here to learn more.

Daily Hours
8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Students will be required to stay on campus once a week from 3:30-4:30 for instrument-specific master classes)

Areas of Study
Flute/piccolo, Oboe/English horn, Clarinet/bass clarinet, Bassoon, French horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Bass trombone, Tuba, Percussion, Harp, Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass

** As of April 13, we will not be accepting new clarinet or bassoon applications**

Eligibility
Graduating 9th - graduating 12th grades

Tuition
$995.00 plus a non-refundable $35.00 enrollment fee (scholarships are available)

Conservatory Orchestra
As part of the Orchestra & Chamber Music program at AFA, students take part in daily rehearsals of standard orchestral literature and new works. Sectional rehearsals are also conducted at the discretion of the orchestra conductor and faculty department heads. Two AFA Conservatory Orchestra performances will take place during the 2011 Conservatory (see this year's Orchesta Repertoire here). Concerts are scheduled to take place at venues around the city of Houston, giving students valuable performance experience in a large ensemble.

Chamber Music
All Orchestra & Chamber Music program students participate in chamber music groups. Students receive daily coaching from the AFA faculty and rehearse music from the standard repertory and a limited amount of contemporary and new works. Student groups perform in one recital of the Chamber Music Recital Series, giving students valuable experience with performing in small ensembles.

Master Classes
At various times throughout the Conservatory, distinguished guests and ensembles are invited to present master classes in a variety of instruments and subjects. In recent years, master classes have been presented by members of the Houston Symphony, Ballet and Opera orchestras as well as by internationally known chamber groups, composers, choreographers and performers from throughout the nation. In many cases, students have the opportunity to perform for AFA’s visiting guests and receive additional coaching.

Click here to learn more about special Honors String Quartet program with guest string artists from the 2011 Faculty.

Harp Students
Harpists will attend AFA from July 5 through July 22 only. Please contact AFA for more information if you are interested in harp studies.

Solo Competitions
All full-time Orchestra & Chamber Music students are eligible to compete in the AFA Concerto Competition. The Competition is judged in two divisions: 1) Strings, Piano, Harp and 2) Winds, Brass and Percussion. Application forms are mailed with enrollment packages after acceptance into the Conservatory, and the competition will be held during the second week of the program.

Additionally, full-time students are eligible to compete in the AFA Young Artist Competition. The YAC is a solo competition with college scholarship prizes and solo recital opportunities for winners. Applications for the YAC are also included in enrollment packages, and the competition is held during the last week of AFA.

2011 Enrollment Quotas
All applicants must complete a live audition for the Conservatory. Several departments fill quickly and AFA reserves the right to close any department once quotas have been met. Early applications and auditions are strongly encouraged.

Flute/Piccolo 3-4
Oboe/English Horn 3-4
Clarinet 3-4
Bassoon 3-4
Horn 6-7
Trumpet 4-6
Trombone 2-4
Bass Trombone 1
Tuba 1-2
Percussion 3-4
Harp 1-2
Violin 26-32
Viola 10-12
Cello 10-12
Bass 5-7