FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR APPLICANTS, last updated November 19, 2024

Frequently asked questions for attending students are at the bottom of this page.

When is the application deadline for Green Mountain 2025?
The 2025 priority deadline is January 15 at 11:59 PM.  The fee to apply before this time is $85. The regular application deadline for the 2025 festival is February 1 at 11:59 PM. Applications submitted after January 15 will have an increased application fee of $99.

Can I apply after the February 1 deadline?
Applications will be accepted on a space-available basis after February 1. If you have questions about submitting a late application, please email Amanda Stenroos: astenroos@gmcmf.org.

Am I eligible for a scholarship?
Green Mountain Scholarships are awarded based on financial need. If you would like to apply for a scholarship, you must indicate so during the application process and then submit the form with accompanying financial documentation.

How do I apply for an RA position?
The Festival selects several students each year who are 21 or older to serve as Resident Assistants. RAs will live among younger festival students and handle significant supervisory and driving responsibilities, as well as pre- and post-festival setup/teardown responsibilities. RAs must be comfortable operating 12-passenger vans. In return, they receive a scholarship award which covers festival tuition. Potential RAs will be required to undergo a background check and to submit a clean driving record in advance of final selection.

RAs will be expected to arrive early to the festival on Thursday, June 26 and stay until late-afternoon of Monday, July 28. Anyone interested in being considered for an RA position should email a resume and cover letter to Amanda Stenroos including details of related experience and 2-3 references whom we might reach out to, in addition to submitting a complete and timely application to the Festival including a scholarship application.

I am a parent applying on behalf of my student. Is there anything I should know?
When completing the application process on behalf of your child, please be sure you use the first and last name of the applicant (student), along with their unique email address. Parents of younger applicants may wish to have access to this email account. Please contact astenroos@gmcmf.org if you have any questions about this process.

Who reviews submitted applications?
All admissions decisions are made by GMCMF Artistic staff

When is my teacher recommendation due? How does my teacher submit it?
Once you submit the background information portion of the application, your teacher will automatically receive an email with a link to the Teacher Recommendation form. Teachers will be responsible for filling out the form on behalf of the requesting student and submitting it by the February 1 application deadline. Applicants who are current students of a GMCMF faculty member and select that option on the application will not need a teacher recommendation submitted on their behalf. 

Can I have feedback on my audition videos?
Due to the large number of applications received, we are not able to provide feedback on audition videos.

When do I receive admission results?
All admissions decisions will be sent out by March 1 via email.

I have already submitted my application but need to make a correction. Can I edit my application?
Please email Amanda Stenroos with any application changes. You will not be able to make changes to your submitted application materials in your online portal.

What is the age range of students attending GMCMF?
The age range of the Regular four-week program at Green Mountain is 14-30. The Junior Program is for students ages 8-13. Those students applying for a Fellowship Position during the regular program must have a minimum degree requirement of a Bachelor’s Degree.

Can I use YouTube or Vimeo URLS for my audition video links?
Yes. You will be asked to provide at least once URL for your audition video links on the online application. Please see the audition video guidelines below:

  • Audition recordings must present two contrasting works representative of your solo playing totaling at least 12 minutes
  • An example of two contrasting works could be a fast movement of a concerto or a showpiece and a movement of solo Bach
  • If two slow movements are submitted, applicant might be asked for an additional recording.
    • recordings with accompaniment are acceptable, although accompaniment is not required
    • audition recordings must only be solo playing; please do not submit recordings with a chamber group for audition videos for the four-week program
  • Audition recordings must be uploaded to YouTube and be viewable through June 2025. YouTube links must be set to ‘unlisted’, not ‘public’ or ‘private’
  • You may submit one recording containing both works or two separate recordings. Performances must be unedited.
  • Please ensure your whole instrument is visible in the recording frame.
  • Record in a quiet space with no background noise present. If you're at home, make sure you're away from extraneous noise, such as appliances (refrigerators and air conditioners), or outside noise such as traffic and construction.
  • Ensure your microphone is not too close to your instrument when playing. An external microphone is not required for these recordings, but may be useful in capturing the highest quality of sound. 
  • Please listen to and watch your recordings all the way through before submitting to ensure acceptable audio and video quality. If you have questions, please email info@gmcmf.org.
  • If you have to choose between high quality audio and high quality video, choose high quality audio.
  • If you are recording from a your phone, please ensure it is close enough to capture decent audio.

I’m applying for a need-based scholarship but do not yet the requested financial documents. Can I still submit my scholarship application?
Yes. Please upload a placeholder file indicating that you will supply the required documentation when available. When you receive your tax forms, please email them to Amanda Stenroos, astenroos@gmcmf.org and she will add them to your application. Please be sure to black out any sensitive information, such as social security numbers. Students may also utilize the ‘scholarship alternative documentation’ form linked within the scholarship application. Please make Amanda Stenroos aware of this once you submit your application.

I’m on the waitlist. Is there an order to the list? When will I know the final decision?
There is no order to the waitlist. Waitlist admissions will depend on considerations of instrumental need, age, and level.
 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR ADMITTED STUDENTS, last updated April 22, 2024. Subject to change!

Will a COVID-19 vaccination be required?
While submission of vaccination records are no longer required, Green Mountain strongly recommends that all participants be fully vaccinated, including one booster shot, against COVID-19 no later than two weeks before the start of the festival. We are currently following the COVID-19 campus policy of our host institution, Saint Michael's College. You may find those guidelines here.

Please direct all questions regarding COVID-19 and Green Mountain at SMC to astenroos@gmcmf.org. Attending students will be receiving more information via email regarding COVID-19 policies prior to the festival.

How many students will be at Green Mountain, and what is the age range? Is the program different depending on the age of the student?
We had 223 attending students in 2024! Two-thirds of our students are in college or graduate school, and one-third are in middle/high school. The structure of the regular program is the same for all students*, consisting of morning practice hours, afternoon chamber music rehearsals, six private lessons, six chamber music coachings, evening concerts and outreach performance opportunities. Chamber music ensembles are formed with attention to age as well as playing level. Performance opportunities are equally available to students and ensembles of all age levels.
*Students in the Fellowship Program will adhere to different schedules.

Where will I be living during the festival? Will I have a roommate?
All students will be housed on the campus of St. Michael's College in suite-style air conditioned buildings (Canterbury and Pontigny Halls). Many lounge areas exist in both dorm buildings (where the festival office is located), as well as in the Dion Family Student Center, giving students many places to congregate when not practicing or rehearsing. Spaces where lessons, rehearsals and meals take place are all air-conditioned.

Students will be housed in 4 to 8 person suites by age and gender across two buildings, with resident assistants placed throughout and close to the under-18 students. A housing survey will be sent to attending students in late spring 2025.

Each student has their own sleeping room within the dorm suite and use this room for daily practice. The suites also contain a common area, kitchenette (microwave/fridge) and two single-use bathrooms.

Is there a curfew (time when students must be on their dorm floor/in their suites)?
Yes. Students are busy at Green Mountain and we want to be sure that everyone stays well-rested and healthy during their time at the festival. Quiet hours are enforced throughout the dorms starting at 10:30 PM each night (except Saturday—11:30 PM) and lasting until 7:00 AM the following morning, with no exceptions.

Under-18 students are required to be in their suites by 10:30 pm Sunday through Friday, and by 11:30 pm on Saturday. 

For students 18 and over it is suggested to be in their suites by 11:30 Sunday through Friday, and by 12:30 am on Saturday.

What are the meals like? What if I have special dietary needs?
Three meals per day are available in the newly-renovated Green Mountain Dining Room in Alliot Hall. Dining services are provided by Sodexo and have many options, including vegetarian and vegan choices at each meal, allergen-free zones for those with nut allergies or gluten intolerance, and plenty of healthy choices. You may contact Rose Baker with specific dining questions. 

May parents visit during the festival? May relatives or friends visit?
Parents are welcome to visit campus and attend concerts (Emerging Artists concerts are free; tickets for Faculty Artist Series concerts are $35, and free for non-GMCMF students with valid ID). Parents who wish to visit a festival student must check in with the Resident Director. If parents plan to take their child off-campus, please be sure the student signs out according to our normal rule (all students regardless of age or permissions must sign out before leaving campus).

Any other visitors are free to visit campus, but will only be allowed into the dorms if approved by Resident Director (if student is under 18, parents must also have given specific permission in advance). Likewise, parents must give specific permission in advance if other visitors wish to take an under-18 student off-campus.

No visitors, including parents and siblings, are allowed to stay overnight in dorms, according to SMC rules.

Can I keep a car on campus?
Yes; if you bring a car, you will be able to park it in one of the lots adjacent to the dorms. Please fill out this form to register your car no later than June 30, 2025 at noon.

What should I bring? Here is a suggested list of items to bring:

  • Two at-home Covid test kits
  • Masks, preferably at least one KN- or N-95 mask
  • Bedding (for standard twin mattress) and pillow—no linen service provided
  • Towels
  • Fan (the resident staff will make shopping trips available in the first few days for students to purchase fans and other needs)
  • Clothing for all types of weather (it may be hot, cold or rainy)
  • Hangers
  • Rain jacket and umbrella
  • Performance clothing. For example: nice dress slacks and shirt, long dress, skirt and blouse. Chamber groups may wish to color coordinate performance attire.
  • Bathing suit, sunscreen, sunglasses
  • Athletic shoes, clothing for weekend activities
  • Hiking gear: shoes, apparel, bug spray, sunscreen, backpack, etc
    • if you plan to participate in any weekend activities, you must bring a backpack to carry your lunch
  • Toiletries and tote
  • Medications (please list these on your Medical History form)
  • Laundry items (bag, detergent. Laundry cards are required to use SMC laundry facilities and may be purchased at the Campus store)
  • Alarm clock
  • Music stand, pencils, metronome, tuners, strings
  • Scores and parts for any solo or chamber repertoire you plan to perform.
    • Piano parts for any solo repertoire you might wish to perform (originals are best)
  • Recording device (if you wish to record lessons or chamber rehearsals)
  • Cash or debit card for miscellaneous spending. ATM is available in Alliot Hall on campus.
  • While standard armless dorm chairs are provided in dorm rooms, cellists may wish to consider bringing or purchasing a bench for daily practicing

 Can I access the Internet?
Reliable wireless internet is available throughout campus. Student will be provided with the network password upon arrival.

Can I have a refrigerator and/or microwave in my dorm room?*
There are microwaves and fridges provided in each suite. Students do not need to bring their own and no on-campus rentals will be offered.

Can I bring a portable AC unit to GMCMF?
No. Students are not permitted to bring any kind of air conditioning unit, window or otherwise, to campus. Student housing at GMCMF 2025 will be air conditioned, however, students may still wish to bring a fan for their sleeping room.

How can I do laundry while at the Festival?
Laundry facilities are available in the dorms on campus. Students will need to purchase re-loadable laundry cards at the bookstore located in Alliot Hall and will need to provide their own detergent.

Is there anything I may not have in my room?
Alcohol, illegal drugs, and drug paraphernalia are not permitted in SMC dorms at any time, even if you are 21 years of age or older. GMCMF policy is immediate dismissal, without refund, for possessing or drinking alcoholic beverages on campus or while participating in GMCMF-sponsored off-campus trips (even if student is 21 years of age or above), selling or furnishing alcohol to a minor, or using illicit drugs at any time. SMC policies also prohibit candles, incense, flammable items and high-wattage electrical devices.

Who takes care of my room?
You do! Housekeeping is provided only for common areas in dorm halls. Recycling and trash disposal is provided for in each hall. We expect any damage or maintenance issues to be reported promptly to GMCMF resident staff. Students will be responsible for cleaning their own bathrooms within their suite. It is the collective responsibility of students to maintain a tidy common space in their dorm suites; RAs will conduct checks throughout the festival.

What should I bring to wear for concerts?
There are no specific requirements for what should be worn by student performers, beyond an expectation that all dress nicely, if not formally. We suggest that every student bring an all-black outfit and encourage students to discuss with their chamber groups any specific dress they may like to coordinate prior to coming to the festival.

Please dress neatly for concert attendance, especially artist faculty concerts, which are attended by many of our sponsors and donors.

How do students get information they need while at the festival?
GMCMF utilizes email heavily during the festival to disperse information and communicate with students and faculty. Please be sure you have access to the email account used on your GMCMF application during the entire festival, either on a smartphone or laptop.

Our resident staff maintains a festival office on campus; all students and families will be given contact email addresses and phone numbers they may use.

Each student will be scheduled for six lessons, and each chamber ensemble will be scheduled for six coachings. By late Sunday evening of each week, students should be able to view their teacher's and coach's schedules to find scheduled times and locations for the coming week.

Updated bulletin boards are maintained in two locations: in the lounge area in the Dion Family Student Center, and in the lobby of the McCarthy Arts Center (music building). Faculty teaching schedules and locations, a sign-out list for those leaving campus, blank forms needed to request a pianist or an opportunity to perform, information about shopping or recreational trips, and general information needed by students will be available on the Festival office bulletin board. Faculty teaching schedules are duplicated on the Music Building bulletin board, and are also sent to students by email.

How will I get mail while at the festival?
Mail and packages for students can be sent to SMC two weeks prior to and during the four weeks of the festival.
All mail and packages must be addressed as follows:
 

Student Name
SMC Box 2056
One Winooski Park
Colchester, VT 05439



Packages should arrive to the above address no earlier than Monday, June 16, 2025 and no later than June 27 to ensure they can be picked up by festival staff prior to June 29 (the mailroom is not open on weekends).


Throughout the four weeks, incoming mail is collected from the mail room on campus and brought to the Festival office in Dion Family Student Center. Students are then notified to come and retrieve their mail.

How can I send outgoing mail?
There is a full-service post office located on campus on the lower level of Joyce Hall, open Monday-Friday 9 am - 4 pm, phone 802-654-2430.

Are there athletic facilities available?
Students may use the facilities at the SMC Athletic Complex during their open summer hours (below). The complex contains a fitness room, indoor track, and pool. SMC has many outdoor field and green spaces that may also be used for recreation and many events will be arranged by GMCMF staff. There is also a Cardio Room in the Dion Family Student Center (2nd floor) that will be available to students throughout the festival.

Please note students 15 and under accessing athletic and pool facilities must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older.

Summer Fitness Center and Tarrant Court Hours: 2025 hours TBD
Summer Pool Hours: GMCMF cannot guarantee the SMC pool will be open to students during GMCMF 2025; more information will be given during the festival.


Is smoking allowed on campus?
St. Michael's College is a completely tobacco-free campus. This policy applies to faculty, staff, students, contractors, vendors and visitors. The use of tobacco, e-cigarettes, vapor pens and all smoking products are not permitted on any college-owned property. 

What if I need medical care?
It is vitally important that each student submits a Medical History Form form before coming to Green Mountain. Medical personnel need a parent's or legal guardian's permission before giving treatment to students who are under 18 years of age. For all students, we need to have basic information about a student's medical history and any medications currently taken, in case of emergency. Students will manage their own medication unless the student and/or parent would like to request the resident staff to be involved. An excellent clinic is nearby, which takes walk-in patients and charges moderately; we will drive students who need to be seen by a doctor. For emergencies, anyone present should call 911 as well as notifying the Resident Director, Rose Baker. A festival-wide email regarding student forms will be sent out in mid-May.

What kind of security does the dorm have?
Each student is issued a room key and a key to their suite. The outside doors to each dorm building are locked and require a swipe card (to be provided to students) to enter. Each suite has a dead bolt and an automatic closer. If a student accidentally locks themselves out, there is a service desk they may contact, and a SMC staff person will confirm their identity and come unlock the room.

How safe is the campus and town?
The SMC campus is a very safe place, with a campus police force that patrols 24 hours a day. When off-campus, we recommend that all students walk or ride the bus in pairs or groups. When leaving campus, students of all ages must sign out on a list in the dorm lobby with their destination and time of leaving/returning

Should parents give their under-18 student permission to leave campus?
Downtown Burlington is 4 miles away from St. Michael's College, and is accessible via a 20 minute bus ride on Green Mountain Transit. The ride is currently fare-free. Downtown is very appealing, with a beautiful pedestrian marketplace frequented by both local residents and tourists. Several blocks further is the waterfront area on Lake Champlain, with lovely public parks, boardwalk, eating establishments, etc. We have found that students really appreciate having the freedom to visit these areas, and are responsible about traveling in groups and signing out and back in at the dorm. If you have concerns for your child, though, you may wait to decide about giving this permission. This permission can be emailed later to the Resident Director.

Can I borrow reading matter from a library?
Our students are not eligible to borrow books from SMC’s library or the local public library. GMCMF provides a small chamber music borrowing library. For reading, there are several excellent bookstores in town, and the local public library has an ongoing book sale. 

How much spending money will I need?
Students vary widely in how much money they spend while at the festival. Since 3 meals a day are provided, students can manage with little, even though others spend more. A few of the (optional) weekend trips we take have a fee. All concerts are free to students.

Where can I get cash?
ATMs are located on the campus of St. Michael's College in Alliot Hall and the Dion Student Center.

Students and/or parents are also able to purchase gift cards to the St. Michael's College Bookstore, located in Alliot Hall. These gift cards allow students to make purchases from the bookstore on campus. Please note, this is not the same card that will be used for laundry.

To purchase a gift card, click here, then select 'pick up at store', and include student's name in the 'comments' field. If ordered in advance, students will then be able to pick up these cards at the bookstore upon arrival to campus (starting Monday, 7/23).

The bookstore is open in the summer, Monday-Friday from 9 am to 4 pm. Please note the bookstore is usually closed for a few days during week one of GMCMF for inventory and the July 4 holiday; specific closure dates will be posted here in Spring 2025.

What if my instrument needs repair?
Vermont Violins (new location at 5 Green Tree Dr, South Burlington, VT 05403; phone: 802-862-0349) provides quality on-site repairs and sells strings and other items. The store is a sponsor of the festival, and their staff members are very responsive to our students’ needs. The shop is an eleven minute drive from campus; rides will be arranged when necessary. Green Mountain is proud to bring Vermont Violins to campus during each week of the festival for certain repairs.

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES

How do I request to play in a concert?
Chamber groups will be assigned specific performance dates during the festival. For students wishing to perform a solo work on an Emerging Artists Concert or Mansfield Solo Concerts performance, performance request forms will be created and shared for students to utilize. Please note a video pre-screening is required with an Emerging Artists request. Green Mountain faculty approval is required for both EAS and MSC performances.

The Artistic Director will make decisions on performance dates and program order, then we will post concert lists as programs are decided. If you are selected to perform on a student concert, you will be contacted to submit a biography.

How will students know when they can perform? Will parents be able to see their son or daughter perform near the end of the festival?
Emerging Artists concerts generally take place twice in week one in the McCarthy Arts Center Recital Hall; in subsequent weeks there will be multiple Emerging Artists concerts. Dates, times, and locations will be posted on our website. Evening concerts require complete pieces, which may be either solo or chamber works. 

For Emerging Artists concerts during the first week, the Artistic Director will communicate with festival faculty about which students will perform entire solo works. Students may perform single movements with teacher approval at the Mansfield Solo Concerts (online form will be made available to request these performances). Programs for these concerts are typically announced to students with a day or two's notice; printed programs are available at the concert but not posted on our website.

Concert dates for chamber music groups will be pre-assigned. There will be some room for change, though we would like to set a target performance date for each group. During the final week of the festival, there will be multiple concerts at which individuals and chamber groups may perform partial pieces. We will make every effort to give individual student and chamber groups prepared to play an opportunity to perform; however, performance is not required.

In addition to Emerging Artists concerts, the Festival's Classical Encounter series provides many opportunities for string chamber ensembles to perform in a wide range of community venues. These outreach performances will generally take place during the second half of the festival. Dates, times, and locations will be posted on our website; printed programs are not generally produced. There will be two Quartet Hops during the festival on July 12 and 19, where student chamber groups will be stationed around town to create a 'walkable' concert. This is an exciting outreach opportunity for our students and a wonderful way to connect with local businesses and guests.

If a specific date is desired for a performance, the student should—early in the festival-—speak with his/her teacher or coach and other members of the ensemble involved about requesting that date. 

Can I get a recording of my performance?
Emerging Artists Concerts will be recorded. We will make recordings available to participants later in the summer after the festival has concluded.

LEAVING THE FESTIVAL

How does the festival end? Is there a final concert?
The final Artist Faculty Series concert of the Festival will take place on Friday, July 25, 2025 at 7:30 pm at Elley-Long Music Center. Tickets for this concert, as for all Artist Faculty concerts, are on sale at the door beginning at 7:00 p.m. or may be purchased online (look for the purchase link for each concert). GMCMF participants are required to attend, and do not need tickets.

During the final week, additional Emerging Artists concerts will be scheduled, with the last concert ending on Saturday, July 26, 2025. GMCMF Fellows will give one final performance in the evening on July 26 in downtown Burlington.

Sunday, July 27 will be the day of departure for students. Our resident staff coordinates the checkout process and provides shuttle rides to airport, bus, and train, beginning at 4 a.m. Festival participants should plan to leave the SMC campus by noon on Sunday, July 27; those with afternoon or evening flights will be given transportation to the airport around noon.

Students wishing to leave the festival prior to Sunday, July 27 will need to inform their teacher, chamber group and coach, as well as the Artistic Director and Resident Director. Transportation to airport, bus, and train will not be provided on Saturday, July 26.

What happens if I lose my dorm room key?
SMC will charge the festival $25 for any keys not returned, as they will need to change the locks on these rooms. Therefore, we require you to pay us upon leaving. You may pay the Resident Director using cash or check, or here using a credit card.