Music Research Programs for High School Students
EC Finder currently lists 25 music research programs for high school students. Of these, 5 are free to participate in and 4 offer virtual participation. Examples include Bay Area Music Project, Bay Area Youth Orchestra Festival (BAYOF), and California Alliance for Jazz – BAM Scholarship.
- 25
- listed
- 5
- free
- 4
- virtual
- 23
- with a listed deadline
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are music research programs for high school students?
- Music Research Programs for High School Students are curated extracurricular listings for high school students interested in music. Each listing includes eligibility, cost, and deadline details where known, so you can compare options and find the right fit for your college application profile.
- When are the application deadlines?
- 23 of the 25 research programs listed here have a specific deadline month noted. Deadlines vary by program, so check each listing for exact dates.
- Are any of these research programs free?
- Yes — 5 of the 25 research programs listed here are free to participate in.
- Can I participate virtually?
- Yes — 4 of the 25 research programs listed here offer virtual or online participation.
- Are music research programs good for a college application?
- Yes — music research programs are a common way for high schoolers to show sustained interest and initiative in music on college applications.
Related Categories
25 activities found·Browse by category
Bay Area Music Project
Nonprofit music program offering ensemble-based instruction and performance opportunities for youth, focusing on orchestral and collaborative music in the Bay Area.
Bay Area Youth Orchestra Festival (BAYOF)
Annual festival bringing together top regional youth orchestras (including SFSYO, Young People's Symphony Orchestra, etc.) for a combined concert at Davies Symphony Hall.
California Alliance for Jazz – BAM Scholarship
Scholarship for young Black American jazz musicians residing in California, supporting private lessons or music programs; awards range from $500-$1,000.
California Youth Symphony
Auditioned Bay Area youth orchestra program; members rehearse weekly across multiple ensembles (Senior Orchestra, Wind Symphony, etc.) and attend required summer camp.
CASMEC / California All-State Honor Ensembles
Top student musicians statewide, selected via regional auditions, rehearse 3 days under nationally recognized conductors and perform in All-State Band, Orchestra, or Choir.
Colorado All-State Choir (CMEA)
Audition-based statewide honor choir organized by the Colorado Music Educators Association. Selected high school singers rehearse and perform with renowned guest conductors. 2026 event held February 5-7 with auditions at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Students must be enrolled in a high school choral program and sponsored by a CMEA-member director.
Colorado All-State Jazz Choir (CMEA)
Statewide jazz vocal honor ensemble for 11th and 12th graders, with three groups (Treble SSAA, Mixed SATB, and Tenor-Bass) of 16 students each selected via a three-step audition. Selected singers rehearse and perform in January at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs during the CMEA Conference, working with nationally and internationally recognized vocal jazz artists.
Colorado Youth Symphony (CYSO)
Audition-based youth symphony in the Denver metro area with three orchestras (Philharmonia, Sinfonia, Symphony Orchestra) and a Wind Ensemble for school-age musicians. Rehearsals are Monday evenings beginning mid-September at Colorado's Finest High School of Choice in Englewood. Auditions are submitted as 2-3 minute videos. Payment plans and financial aid available.
From the Top
Nonprofit known for its NPR/PBS programs showcasing pre-collegiate classical musicians ages 8-18, including instrumentalists, vocalists, and composers, who perform and share their stories to a national radio audience along with scholarships.
Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award
Prestigious national award for pre-college classical musicians, providing up to $10,000 for music education and a chance to appear on From the Top.
Jazzschool Youth Programs – California Jazz Conservatory
Year-round youth ensembles, teen vocal performance, and summer camps at the California Jazz Conservatory for middle and high school students.
Juilliard Pre-College
A Saturday conservatory-style program at the Juilliard School for musicians ages 8-18, combining private lessons, chamber music, theory, and large ensembles with faculty who also teach in Juilliard's college division.
Manhattan School of Music Precollege
A Saturday pre-conservatory program in New York City for musicians ages 8-18 offering classical or jazz tracks with weekly private lessons, theory, ear training, and ensembles, admission by audition.
NAfME All-National Honor Ensembles
The top national honor ensembles for high school musicians, run by the National Association for Music Education, including concert band, symphony orchestra, mixed choir, jazz ensemble, guitar ensemble, and modern band, culminating in performances at the NAfME National Convention.
NAfME Music Scholarships & Grants
Curated list of current music scholarships and competitions with regularly updated info for high school and college students.
National Federation of Music Clubs Junior Festivals
Annual noncompetitive performance festivals run by the National Federation of Music Clubs, where student musicians perform memorized pieces for a judge and earn ratings and recognition toward national awards.
National Piano Playing Auditions (Piano Guild)
Noncompetitive national piano evaluations run by the American College of Musicians at hundreds of audition centers nationwide, giving students of any level yearly performance goals, feedback, and recognition.
Next Generation Jazz Orchestra (Monterey Jazz Festival)
Top HS jazz musicians nationwide, chosen via blind audition, rehearse under a GRAMMY-nominated director and perform at the Monterey Jazz Festival mainstage.
NFMC Junior Festivals
National Federation of Music Clubs annual Junior Festivals give young musicians (18 and under) a yearly performance evaluation, plus competitions/awards in voice, instrumental, and composition, awarding over $750,000 annually.
San Francisco Conservatory of Music Pre-College Academy
Serious young musicians take private lessons, musicianship classes, and ensemble training on Saturdays year-round, building conservatory-level skills.
San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra
Bay Area HS musicians audition for a seat in this pre-professional training orchestra, rehearsing under professional conductors and performing at Davies Symphony Hall.
San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra (SFSYO)
Highly competitive full symphony orchestra for advanced young musicians (12-20) from the greater Bay Area, rehearsing and performing at Davies Symphony Hall.
School of Rock Berkeley – Performance & Summer Camps
Band-based rock/pop performance program and summer camps where students rehearse in groups and perform live shows.
SFJAZZ High School All-Stars
Audition-based jazz training program at SFJAZZ in San Francisco that selects 20-25 of the Bay Area's top young jazz musicians for the All-Stars Big Band and Combo each year. Members rehearse weekly with professional jazz educators and perform at SFJAZZ Center venues. Tuition is $500 per ensemble (with discount for both); need-based scholarships available. Audition video due in July.
YoungArts National Arts Competition
Students submit work in one of 10 disciplines for national panel review; award winners receive cash prizes and top honorees are invited to National YoungArts Week for mentorship.
ECFinder provides links to outside extracurricular opportunities for informational purposes only. Students and families should research each program before applying. ECFinder does not operate or control the listed organizations and is not responsible for their actions or policies.