PMICF Application
The Pro Musica International Choral Festival welcomes advanced high school choirs — both school- and community-based — that demonstrate a strong, cohesive choral sound and outstanding musicianship. In addition, all participating singers should bring technical vocal proficiency, a high degree of musical artistry, and experience with (or genuine openness to) singing in a wide range of musical styles and traditions.
Beyond musical skill, we look for ensembles whose singers and faculty share a commitment to excellent choral etiquette, healthy vocal habits, and enthusiastic engagement in a rigorous, rewarding week of music-making. These qualities are just as essential to a successful festival experience as what happens in rehearsal.
Application Requirements
If applying as a school- or community-based choir
- Written Statement: Provide a brief description of the chorus, including whether it is a school- or community-based ensemble, the frequency of rehearsals and performances, the style(s) of music presented, audition requirements/standards, and typical student makeup (age, voice parts). Please also include a brief biographical statement about the ensemble’s director.
- Audio Requirements: Upload recorded samples from a live performance(s) recorded within the past 12 months. Include at least one a cappella and one accompanied selection. Selections submitted must be live and unedited; combined length of selections must not exceed 15 minutes.
- Adjudication: Applications will be adjudicated by a panel of choral directors and other music educators, and assessed on tone quality, pitch, rhythm, and artistry.
If applying as an individual singer
- Written Statement: Provide a brief statement about your musical training and experience. Please describe any school- and community-based musical ensembles in which you participate and how long you’ve been involved, as well as any musical theater experience, voice lessons, other instruments played (if applicable), etc. If you have participated in state solo competitions for voice (e.g. NYSSMA in New York State), please include your most recent level and score.
- Audio Requirements: Upload recorded samples from a live performance(s) recorded within the past 12 months. Include 1) a solo of your choice (preferably sostenuto) to illustrate your voice quality and 2) an individual recording of Bradley Ellingboe’s “Hate Has No World,” measures 28-71. Record your voice part with the provided piano accompaniment in the RESOURCES section. Recording starts at measure 25, please begin singing at measure 28.
Note: Students are welcome to record themselves on their phone, tablet, or computer – a professional-quality audition video is not required. Please refer to the “Guidelines” document in the RESOURCES section for details on how to create your audition reel.
Adjudication
- All applications will be adjudicated by a panel of choral directors and other music educators, and assessed on tone quality, pitch, rhythm, and artistry.
Application Fee
- $35.00
- Fee waivers are available through Acceptd for those who qualify. Learn more here.
Festival Participation Fee — Fully Funded
Generous funding from Bader Philanthropies, Inc. and other individual and foundation donors provides full fellowships to all participating students, allowing the Pro Musica International Choral Festival to waive the $2,000 festival fee, which includes student tuition, room and board, and transportation within the festival. Participants are responsible only for their own transportation to and from Kingston, Ontario.
Application Timelime
Early Bird Applications
For School- and Community-Based Choruses
- May 1, 2026: Application portal opens
- Octobrt 15, 2026: Early-bird chorus application deadline
- October 2026: Early-bird notifications sent
Regular Applications
For Individual Student Applicants
- July 1, 2026: Application portal opens
- December 31, 2026: Individual student application deadline
- January 2027: Notifications sent to all applying individual singers
Regular Applications
For School- and Community-Based Choruses
- October 1, 2026: Application portal opens
- December 31, 2026: Regular chorus application deadline
- January 2027: Notifications sent to all applying choruses