Weekdays, Thursday, July 9 - Friday, July 24
Hingham campus
Dr. Eric Laprade, Artistic Director
Ed Sorrentino, Program Advisor
Kristian Labrie, Program Assistant
South Shore Conservatory's Summer Music Festival (SMF) offers woodwind, brass, string, and percussion students in elementary school through college the opportunity to perform in high-quality wind bands, orchestras, chamber, and jazz ensembles. This festival brings together student musicians from across southeastern Massachusetts in an intense, supportive, collaborative learning environment. Through daily one-on-one interactions with a dedicated team of talented educators, SMF students are empowered to improve their technical ability, musical sensitivity, listening skills, analytical techniques, and overall confidence.
To register, click the ENROLL NOW button below.
To reserve your spot, you must submit your registration form, and all fees must be paid in full before the start of the program.
Our Programs
Morning Sessions 8 am-12 pm each day
Wind Ensembles (SWE & FWE)
Matt Harden, Summer Wind Ensemble Conductor
Dr. Josh Roach, Festival Wind Ensemble Conductor
The longest continuously running ensemble program at SSC, Summer Wind Ensemble (SWE) and Festival Wind Ensemble (FWE) offers students in grades 7-college the opportunity to develop their core musicianship in an engaging, supportive, and musical environment. Students are placed in either SWE or FWE based on the seating audition. In addition to daily ensemble rehearsals, students participate in regular sectional rehearsals with the 15-member SMF faculty. Students also participate in regular musicianship sessions, chamber music, and social activities. The repertoire for the ensemble is selected from the finest music for wind bands and includes music from a diverse collection of styles, genres, and composers.
Who: Woodwind, brass, and percussion students currently in grades 4 - College
When: Thursday, July 9 - Friday, July 24, 2026; 8 am - 12 pm each day
Tuition: $700
Morning String Intensive
Leigh Schoepflin, SMF Orchestra Programs Director
The morning chamber music intensive is an adaptive, unique program that offers students a range of topics, such as chamber technique, improvisation, fiddling, modern music methods, and digital orchestral exploration. Paired with individual and small ensemble instruction, students receive personalized support on a variety of topics, broadening their scope of what they can do with their instrument.
Who: violin, viola, cello, and double bass students currently in grades 4-college
When: Thursday, July 16 - Friday, July 24, 2026; 8 am - 12 pm each day
Tuition: $425
Afternoon Sessions 12:45-2:45 pm each day
Jazz Ensembles
Aaron W. Bush, Festival Jazz Ensemble Director
Matt Harden, Lab Jazz Ensemble Director
The Festival Jazz Ensemble is an auditioned, advanced ensemble. The Lab Jazz Ensemble is a non-auditioned group open to all students, regardless of their improvisation experience. Both ensembles rehearse and perform repertoire from all of the main style periods in jazz, and offer students the opportunity to study and listen to some of the greatest jazz improvisers. Significant time is also spent developing improvisation techniques, as well as the elements of combo and big band style performance.
Who: Students in grades 7 - college
When: Thursday, July 9 - Friday, July 24, 2026; 12:45 - 2:45 pm each day
Tuition: Afternoon Session tuition with morning registration - $275; Afternoon Session registration only - $500
Afternoon Chamber Music
Janet Underhill, Director
Under the direction of Janet Underhill, students are placed in mixed-instrument chamber ensembles. Students develop ensemble performance skills and core musicianship through both coached and un-coached rehearsals. Additional emphasis is placed on developing stage presence, performance skills, critical listening, and self-analysis techniques.
Who: Students in grades 7 - college
When: Thursday, July 9 - Friday, July 24, 2026; 12:45 - 2:45 pm each day
Tuition: Afternoon Session Tuition with Morning Registration - $275; Afternoon Session registration only - $500
Festival Orchestra
Leigh Schoepflin, SMF Orchestra Programs Director
In the Festival Orchestra, students develop their core musicianship in a focused ensemble setting. In addition to daily ensemble rehearsals, students participate in regular sectional rehearsals and coaching with members of the SMF faculty. Students also participate in regular musicianship sessions and social activities. The repertoire is selected from classic to modern orchestral composers, including music from diverse styles, genres, and composers.
Who: violin, viola, cello, and double bass students currently in grades 4-college
When: Thursday, July 16 - Friday, July 24, 2026; 12:45 - 2:45 pm each day
Tuition: Afternoon Session Tuition with Morning Registration - $200; Afternoon Session registration only - $300
Other Programs
Dates, Auditions, & More Information
Registration Process and Dates:
- Click the "Enroll Now" button above to register for your desired program(s).
- Once enrolled, you will be sent a Student Information Form to complete. Please submit this form as soon as possible.
- Submit placement audition video by June 15, 2026 (grades 7-college only).
- The deadline to apply for tuition assistance is May 15, 2026. If you plan to apply for Tuition Assistance, please contact frontdesk@sscmusic.org for assistance with the enrollment process.
- All registrations and payments are due by June 15, 2026. Please note: to reserve your spot, you must submit both your registration form and payment.
For additional registration assistance, please contact frontdesk@sscmusic.org or 781.749.7565 x14.
Audition Information:
All students in grades 7-college must submit a placement audition video. No audition is required for students in grades 4-6
- Download Placement Audition Guidelines (PDF)
SMF asks that all students submit a placement audition video. If technology is a concern, please contact smf@sscmusic.org to explore the possibility of an in-person audition at SSC.
Video Auditions:
- Tips for Creating a Great Audition Video (PDF)
- Watch a video on how to create a great audition video!
- Once you have registered for your program, click submit your audition video
If you have any questions, please contact smf@sscmusic.org
Concert Dates for 2026:
Note: all performances are free and take place in the Jane Carr Amphitheater unless otherwise indicated.
- Morning String Intensive & Festival Orchestra: Friday, July 24 at 4 pm
- SWE Chamber Music: Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 12:15 pm
- Afternoon Chamber Music: Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 6 pm (Cox Hall)
- SMF Jazz Ensembles: Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 7 pm
- Summer Wind Ensemble & Festival Wind Ensemble: Friday, July 24, 2026 at 7 pm
Limited tuition assistance is available to support families with documented financial need, in the form of financial assistance, scholarships, and work-study. Please visit the SSC Tuition Assistance webpage to find detailed instructions, an online tuition assistance application form, as well as the link to a PDF Frequently Asked Questions. Applications plus supporting financial documents are due by May 15. Questions related to tuition assistance? Email tuitionassistance@sscmusic.org.
Ed Sorrentino Summer Music Festival Scholarship
This annual scholarship ensures that a dedicated young musician has the opportunity to benefit from SMF’s high-caliber instruction, performance opportunities, and artistic growth, regardless of financial circumstances, by covering tuition for a student attending Summer Music Festival, up to $700/year. Students wishing to be considered for this scholarship should contact smf@sscmusic.org by May 15.
Testimonials
"My experience at SMF was definitely one to remember! Not only was I provided an opportunity to play fantastic music, but I was also given the privilege to spend time with and get to know other musicians of very high caliber. From working with the Festival Wind Ensemble, to performing in a small chamber groups, SMF provided me with a great way to spend my summer, as well as grow and learn as a musician."
- Owen Vacheron, Foxboro, percussion
"Summer Music Festival is that one place where you can play music you wouldn't be able to play anywhere else. It's great for those two weeks in July to be able to play the most amazing repertoire with the most amazing musicians on the South Shore."
- Dante Nicotera, Hanover, baritone sax
"Summer Music Festival at South Shore Conservatory is educational as well as fun. During the two weeks, you not only grow as a musician but also make friends and meet interesting people. Everyone there wants you to succeed, and pushes you to fulfill your full potential. The atmosphere is very different from that of a regular school band in that all of the students and the staff are motivated and have a passion for what they do."
- Kelly Vickers, Scituate, tuba