Musical Minds
A Unique Music-Academic Experience
Musical Minds—Summer Session’s newest Lower School Institute offering—will be headquartered in the state-of-the-art Falls Music Center, which opened in January 2025. The on-campus Summer Session program is scheduled to take place July 1-August 3, 2025.
A Brief Overview
What does a summer at Andover Summer Session’s Musical Minds include?
Students will have the opportunity to socialize and interact with other students in participating in Lower School Institute. However, Musical Mind Students have their own specialized program.
- Weekly private lessons from Musical Minds artist faculty
- Classes in music theory, ear training and music technology
- Studio classes and masterclasses with area musicians and ensembles
- On-campus string orchestra, chamber, and solo performances opportunities
- …and much more!
Who can attend Musical Minds?
This program is designed specifically for rising 7th and 8th graders from around the world who seek a summer experience that will keep them moving forward in their musical study and help them develop strong friendships and lasting artistic bonds. Musical Minds is geared toward students who have displayed a high level of proficiency on their instrument and shown strong academic achievement.
How do I apply?
Current 6th and 7th graders (who will be “rising” 7th and 8th graders in the fall) must:
- Complete both the Andover Summer application and the Musical Minds supplement.
- Pay a nonrefundable application fee (fee is waived for partner organizations)
The Musical Minds supplement requires:
- Submittal of an audition video no longer than five minutes
- A letter of recommendation from the student’s private or school music instructor
The application and supplement, including the audition video, must be submitted by February 15, 2025.
Supplemental Application Guidance
- Your audition video should not be longer than five minutes. Please submit solo performances or indicate who you are if part of an ensemble. (It can be difficult to determine which musician you are if you only submit ensemble recordings.)
- Upload individual files (MP4 or add a YouTube link; the “Unlisted” privacy setting is recommended). We do not accept “channels” or “playlists.”
- Documents must be in PDF format.
- Label all files to clearly indicate the piece of content and include student’s last name. (Examples: Smith_Letter_of_Recommendation or Smith_Violin_Solo or Smith_Chamber_Music_Group).
- Please make sure your multimedia links are not password-protected or listed as private.
- We do not accept CDs, DVDs, videotapes, physical portfolios, MP3 email attachments, or PDF email attachments.
What does it cost to attend Musical Minds?
Please visit Tuition & Dates. If you wish to be considered for financial aid, your Andover Summer application and Musical Minds supplement must be submitted no later than February 15, 2025.
Are scholarships available?
Yes. Musical Minds offers scholarship support based on a student’s audition video and demonstrated financial need.
Opportunity scholarships are open to students of Black and Latinx descent. Students accepted to Musical Minds through our partner organizations could receive full scholarships, enabling them to attend at no cost to their families.