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Audition for the NRO

Summer Music Festival 2024

Your Future in the Arts Starts Here

The National Repertory Orchestra (NRO) offers more repertoire than any other festival.  Our alumni can be found in virtually every professional orchestra in the country.

The National Repertory Orchestra remains committed to providing full scholarships for all musician fellows to attend the Summer Music Festival in Breckenridge including housing, and a food stipend, all valued at over $10,000. Here is the breakdown.

  • Summer Music Festival Intensive: $7,500
  • Housing: $3,600 with a FREE parking space for those who choose to drive.
  • Food Stipend: $600, issued at $75 per week.
  • Free weekly Tuesday night dinners.
  • Free transportation to the Denver International Airport on arrival and departure.
  • Travel stipend up to $170, and additional travel stipend for musicians bringing large instruments (defined as cello, bass, harp, and tuba) of up to $320. This fund is made possible by the generous support of Bonnie Kirschenbaum.

Auditions have now closed

If you are interested in auditioning for the 2025 NRO Orchestra, auditions will open in October 2024.

Important dates

Festival: June 22 – August 10, 2024

Arrival: Sunday, June 16, 2024
Departure: Sunday, August 11, 2024

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application deadlines

The NRO will start receiving applications on Monday, October 16, 2024.

The final day to submit applications is Friday, January 26, 2024.

The NRO will not host live or in-person auditions and will only accept recorded video submissions.

application fees

Take advantage of our lowest application of just $40 until November 22!

$40: Mon, Oct. 16, 2023 – Wed, Nov. 22, 2023
$65: Thu, Nov. 23, 2023 – Fri, Dec. 22, 2023
$85: Sat, Dec. 23, 2023 – Mon, Jan. 22, 2024
$125: Tue, Jan. 23, 2024 – Fri, Jan. 26, 2024

*All fees are non-refundable, non-transferable, and applicable until the deadline date at 11:59 PM, MST.

Questions? View our Q&A Section.

How to Audition

Submitting your application is as easy as using your phone camera or computer! Take a look at the rules and requirements below before proceeding to your instrument’s audition packet. 

Video Audition Rules

  • Audio effects are not permitted.
  • Recordings that are altered or have been edited will not be considered for acceptance.
  • Incomplete or late submissions will not be accepted.
  • ONLY ONE submission is allowed.

Video Audition Requirements

  • Announce your first and last name at the beginning of the video.
  • Record your video submission in the order listed.
  • The recording MUST be completed in one continuous take.
  • Stopping and starting between segments is not permitted.

Video Audition Tips

  • Use the most updated versions of internet browsers for the best video upload speed.
  • Dress comfortably but professionally.
  • Watch and listen to your video before submission, checking for audio levels, and the video’s visual presentation overall.
  • Plan ahead. Late submissions will not be accepted!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply to the NRO Orchestra?

Applicants must be between 18 and 29 years of age and will have completed at least one year of college, university, or conservatory by June 16, 2024.

I am an NRO alumna/alumnus. Am I eligible to re-audition?

Yes! The NRO welcomes any alum to audition, provided you are within the age limit. There is no restriction to the number of years you can attend the NRO.

When will I know if I have been accepted to the NRO?

Applicants will be notified of their acceptance status in February 2024.

Can I apply if I am not a U.S. citizen?

Yes! Applications are welcome for international students between the ages of 18 and 29.

I am an international student. What visa do I need to participate in the NRO?

All visas and fees are the musician’s responsibility. Please consult with your school’s academic advisor or consulate to determine if you are eligible. While the NRO Summer Music Festival is free of charge to musicians, the NRO provides housing and a weekly food stipend which may be viewed as compensation by the government.

Is there an audition tour this year?

The NRO will be accepting reorded video auditions only. There will be no in-person or live auditions for the 2024 concert season.

What does it cost to attend the NRO?

The cost to attend the summer music festival is minimal! Tuition and housing are provided by the National Repertory Orchestra. Fellows will also receive a minimum of $75 per week in the form of a grocery gift card and will have the opportunity to attend free, weekly community dinners.

The NRO will collect $300 upon enrollment which is broken down as follows:

  • $200 non-refundable administration fee
  • $100 refundable housing deposit, pending there are no damages

All staff and fellows will assume responsibility for their living space.

Where will I live in Breckenridge?

Musicians will be in ski employee housing with the majority of apartments in Breckenridge on Airport Road. Most will be shared living space including condo-mates as well as roommates.

What is the housing like?

Housing consists of two and three-bedroom apartments and is assigned based on availability.  Expect two people per bedroom. Units are pet-free, non-smoking, drug-free and furnished with beds and couches. All have a kitchen with basic appliances and a bathroom.  Quiet hours will apply.

There is no housekeeping service. Linens, towels, utensils and cooking basics are provided by the NRO. Details will be communicated shortly before arrival.

What items are included in housing?

There is no need to spend additional money on items like pots and pans or sheets and pillows. 

Upon arrival, all musicians receive a complimentary welcome bag with essential items like a stage-ready and commemorative NRO water bottle, sunscreen, dishwashing liquid starter packs and more. The orchestra provides basic living needs, including but not limited to kitchenware, cookware and utensils, hangers and bedding sheets, a pillow/pillowcase, comforters, and bathroom items like towels, shower curtains and bathmats. Coin-operated laundry facilities are onsite.

Keep your welcome bag for your shopping and avoid bag fees at stores ($0.25 per bag in Breckenridge).

What about transportation?

The Town’s FREE RIDE bus system provides public transportation in Breckenridge and is accessible from the NRO’s housing complexes. Each color-coded bus route is specially designed to move you within key areas of Breckenridge, including the Riverwalk Center, the NRO’s main performance venue.

The Summit Stage is also a free public bus service that runs through Summit County and provides easy transportation to Frisco, Blue River, Silverthorne, Dillon, and Keystone.

Take a look at the Breck Life page to learn more about getting around town, including the NRO’s no-cost bike program.

Can I live with my significant other if they are also accepted to the NRO?

Only married couples accepted to the NRO summer music festival may receive shared housing. Please note we are unable to accommodate requests for unmarried couples to be roommates or condo-mates.

Can I bring my pet?

Although we LOVE animals at the NRO, pets are not permitted. Our housing partners and most seasonal living spaces have a strict no-pet policy. Please leave your furry friends at home where they will be safe, loved on and in the best care possible while you focus on all the benefits of the festival. 

→ Still have questions? Contact our team at  info@nromusic.org.