Participant FAQs

We will begin notifying participants on or about May 1. A $250 enrollment deposit is due upon acceptance to the program to reserve your spot.

All participants who have verified their attendance in the Summer Piano Institute by June 1 will receive an email with detailed information about what to bring to the institute, where you will be living, forms that might still be needed, and where and when to arrive at Ithaca College.

• Health Form
  • A form collecting a variety of health information about your camper, which is provided to our nursing staff at SMA.
• Liability Form
  • A liability waiver required to be signed by campers and their parent/guardian. A physical signature is required.
  • Print a copy of this form and have it signed by both the camper and their parent/guardian. Scan or photograph this form, and upload the document to the Form Portal.
• Immunization Records
  • An immunization record showing recent immunization history is required for all campers. Please upload a copy of an immunization report from the student's physician.
• Meningococcal Meningitis Info Form

  • An informational regarding meningococcal meningitis required for overnight camps spanning seven (7) nights or longer. This is only required for the High School division.

  • Download a copy of the MM Form, sign, and upload. This can be signed digitally.

• Camper Photo

Please see our Housing page for more information on check-in and check-out.

• Two group lessons with a faculty member and three private lessons.
• Private piano lessons, theory class, master classes, elective classes, and final showcase recital.
• Special evening events include a recital by IC piano majors and a faculty recital.
• Daily piano ensemble and sight reading.
• Supervised practice is provided. Optional additional practice time is available.
• Games and outdoor activities!

On the first Saturday evening, each student will play a brief (5 min. maximum) audition. Plan to play a repertoire piece that is polished and memorized. The purpose of this audition is so that we can choose a few students to play in the master classes and discover your current repertoire.

Each day you will have at least two or three hours of required practice. Plan accordingly. Bring a few polished and memorized repertoire, but also bring repertoire that is not yet polished so you do not run out of things to practice. You will have three private lessons and one group lesson, so that is another reason to bring all of the music you are currently preparing or plan to work on in the coming year.

There will be two final showcase recitals  on the final Friday evening and Saturday morning. 

We will make a video recording of both Final Showcase Recitals which will be available in the weeks following the institute.  You are also welcome to record any part of the Final Showcase Recitals using your own equipment.

Recreational and social activities will include on campus recreation and hiking.

Participants live in a residence hall room. The residence hall is supervised by male and female advisers who live in the residence hall with the students. You will receive your room assignment at check-in.

A staff of four resident advisers live on the residence hall floors throughout the duration of the program. This team of RAs is closely supervised by the faculty director.

The Office of Public Safety is open 24 hours and can be reached at 607-274-3333 for actual emergencies.

The Music Office can be reached at 607-274-3343 during regular business hours, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or by email at pianoinstitute@ithaca.edu.

For your music activities, and in addition to your music, please bring a notebook, several pencils, and a metronome. Each student will have the choice of using a personal locker in the Whalen Center for Music if they choose.

Please see our Housing section for what is provided in the residential halls and additional recommendations on what you should bring.

Students are allowed to have cell phones, but rules for using them will be enforced. Students are not allowed to use cell phones during classes, performances, practice time or after 10 pm. If you must contact your child, the best time will probably be during the noon hour or dinner (5:30-6:30 pm) as those are about the only times students are consistently free.

You may want to bring pocket money for incidentals such as snacks, supplies, movies, and miscellaneous purchases at the Campus Store and general store. ATMs are available on campus. Unfortunately, personal checks cannot be cashed on campus.

All your medications (both over-the-counter and prescription) will be under lock and key and cared for by our head RA. Students are not allowed to even have aspirin in their possession. Be prepared to turn these over as soon as you arrive at the dorm. PRNs and rescue inhalers are the only medications that may remain in the student's possession.

Yes, however please keep in mind the short duration of the program and anticipated time it takes for mail to be delivered. Please address mail as follows:

(Student’s name)
953 Danby Rd
Summer Piano Institute
Ithaca NY 14850