Thank you for your interest in The Walden School Young Musicians Program and The Walden School Creative Musicians Retreat.

Information about both programs is provided below. We will send you the applications for both programs when they become available in fall 2024. You can contact us with questoins at applicants@waldenschool.org or at (415) 587-8157. You can also stay in touch with Walden by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and hear music from past Walden programs on our Bandcamp page.

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The Walden School Young Musicians Program (YMP), for musically inclined students ages 9-18, is a 5-week summer camp (with a 3-week option for students who have not yet completed 8th grade) focused on musicianship training, composition, improvisation, choral singing, outdoor recreation, and creative community-building. This year’s YMP dates are June 28-August 3, 2025.

YMP Overview

YMP Frequently Asked Questions

In addition to short answer questions about you, your interests, and your musical background, the following items will be requested on the application.

    • Teacher Recommendation
    • Applicant Essay: Applicants are asked to submit a short essay (approximately 200-500 words) that will help the admissions committee develop a broader picture of your personality, talents and interests. Topics for this brief personal statement could be autobiographical in nature, provide more information about your musical and creative interests, and/or can answer questions such as why you want to attend YMP.
    • Parent/Guardian Statements: The applicant’s parents or guardians are asked to submit two statements addressing the student’s ability to live and thrive in a summer camp community away from their home.
    • Supplementary Materials: The Walden School welcomes any additional materials you would like to send with your application. These might include recordings or scores of original music, certificates of merit or awards, samples of non-music related projects (poetry, photography, artwork, other creative work).
  • Application Fee

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The Walden School Creative Musicians Retreat (CMR), for adult musical professionals, teachers, students and amateurs (ages 18+), is a 9 day retreat with diverse programming, including seminars, workshops, composers forums, concerts, chorus, and more. This year’s CMR dates are June 14-22, 2025.

CMR Overview

CMR Frequently Asked Questions

In addition to short answer questions about you, your interests, and your musical background, the following items will be requested on the application.

  • CV, résumé, and/or biography (optional for returning applicants)
  • Applicant Essay: Please write a 2-3 paragraph (ca. 250 – 500 words) personal statement describing why you are interested in attending the Creative Musicians Retreat at The Walden School and any goals or intentions you may have for the summer. Please describe your musical background, including your education/training and experience as a composer, performer, improviser, choral singer, conductor and/or teacher.
  • Supplementary Materials: you are welcome to share 1-3 scores, audio recordings, or videos of your work as a creative artist. You may also provide links to your YouTube channel, SoundCloud, Vimeo, BandCamp, etc.
  • Application Fee