What makes IMIF one of the best summer music programs for outstanding young musicians?

We are an intense ten-day summer program for advanced young violinists, violists, cellists, and pianists (typically ages 14-26) that focuses on solo and chamber music skills. Our main objective is to assist musicians in reaching their personal and musical goals by supporting, nurturing, and showcasing their talent, providing them with inter-disciplinary arts experiences, outstanding professional career guidance, and first class musical instruction.

Our dynamic summer music festival -is filled with private lessons, chamber music, interdisciplinary arts experiences, and workshops on topics including practicing, improvisation, and musical careers. Students and the general public enjoy thrilling performances by IMIF faculty, coaches and guest artists throughout the program.

Faculty and guest artists are internationally acclaimed performers who are genuinely committed to assisting the next generations of musicians in their development. They also present workshops on topics such as "Effective Practicing for Outstanding Performances" and "Careers in Music" and daily reflections on musical and life experiences, providing expert advice on personal career planning.

Admission is selective and limited (ca. 30 students total), ensuring maximum personal attention to each student and thus great progress within a relatively short amount of time.

One of the really unique aspects of this summer music course is the five-day concert tour that follows the institute. Selected participants who apply for this tour are given the opportunity to perform concerts in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C. Participants stay with local families, and enjoy receptions, sight-seeing, and shopping.

Our program puts emphasis on care of the musician's body. We offer daily group stretches, instruction on performance injury prevention, and optional access to a professional therapeutic masseuse.

IMIF is held on the scenic campus of Mount St. Mary's University (Emmitsburg, Maryland), which boasts fantastic teaching and performance space, deluxe accommodations and delicious dining.

IMIF is exceptionally international: each year we welcome young musicians from around the world. Recent participants have joined us from Iceland, Estonia, Norway, Germany, Russia, Israel, Mexico, Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Argentina, and Canada (as well as across the USA).

Former participants have continued on to professional success and credit our program with having instilled in them the confidence and skills needed to succeed.