Cremona Foundation Apprenticeship Application

July 5 – 27, 2026 | Sonoma, CA

Application Deadline: February 22, 2026

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be 18 years or older. There is no upper age limit.
  • We welcome early-career musicians at any stage of professional development.
  • Typical applicants are advanced undergraduates, graduate students, or recent degree recipients (ages 18–35).

All nationalities are welcome.

 

Instruments Accepted

Two violinists · One violist · One cellist · One keyboardist

Experience with gut strings or historical keyboards is not required—only curiosity, artistry, and openness to exploration.

 

Application Requirements

Please prepare and submit the following materials:

1. Biography (1–2 paragraphs)
Summarize your musical background and current studies or work.

2. Statement of Interest
Share what draws you to historical performance and what you hope to gain from the program.

3. Recording Samples
Submit at least three video or audio samples, 5–10 minutes each, including:

  • At least one chamber music sample where your contribution is significant and can be heard clearly. 
  • At least one solo OR duo with keyboard accompaniment/participation (if you submit a duo, please include the keyboard part). 
  • At least two samples should feature repertoire composed before 1860. 
  • If performing in an ensemble with duplicate instruments (e.g., two violinists), specify which part you play. 
  • Period-instrument submissions are encouraged but not required. Modern instruments are welcome. 
  • You are welcome to submit more than three samples, and samples longer than 10 minutes are acceptable, with the understanding that we may not be able to review your entire submission. 

4. Application Fee
A $45 USD non-refundable application fee is required. This fee must be paid via PayPal at the time you submit your materials. Fee waivers are available upon request for applicants with financial need.

5. File Labeling
Please label all materials using the format:  LastName_Composer_Title_Movement

Examples

  • Smith_Beethoven_QuartetOp 18 No3_Mvt1.mp4
  • Lee_Schubert_Arpeggione_Mvt2.wav
  • García_Bio.pdf  
  • García_Statement.pdf

 

Timeline

Milestone

Date

Application Deadline

February 22, 2026

Notification of Acceptance      

Mid-March 2026

Residency in Sonoma

July 5 – 27, 2026

 

Ready to Apply?

Use the form below to submit your materials and pay the application fee. Applications must be received by February 22, 2026.

 

    Links to your 3 performance samples (YouTube, Dropbox, Google folder, etc.)

    If links are not available, please email with your recordings as attachments to [email protected] with the subject "Name, instrument."