2026 CMC Participant and Auditor Application Form

2026 Chamber Music Conference Information:

We are pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for this summer’s Chamber Music Conference at Colgate University!

Coaching: The most central and differentiating feature of our program is the coaching experience with our outstanding Conference faculty. Please read the Coaching page for a description of this experience and the different coaching formats that we offer.

Your Availability:  Because we aim to admit a full and balanced roster of coached participants to each Conference week, within the capacity of the facilities at Colgate, we highly value flexibility that applicants offer regarding the week(s) that they can attend. Each of our four Conference weeks provides richly rewarding musical and social experiences, and we encourage applicants to indicate as many available weeks as possible.

Composers’ Forum:  We also offer the opportunity to participate in the Composers’ Forum, which features a Composer-in-Residence and a Composition Fellow at each of weeks 2, 3, and 4. In the application form we ask you to indicate your interest in being coached on a Composers’ Forum work. See the Composers’ Forum page for information about the composer residencies and commissioned works.

Auditing:  We are accepting applications for Conference auditors (see the Auditing page for information about the option of auditing at the Conference).

Health Precautions:  The interdependencies of the coaching schedule make our program extremely vulnerable to any one person (or more) having to withdraw or leave due to illness. We have established a set of health precautions based on current advice from expert medical consultants for the purpose of protecting our community and reducing the risk of disruption to our coaching program. It is essential that all attendees follow our precautions, to protect the health of our community and to minimize disruptions to our coachings, concerts, and other programs. A later section of this application form enumerates the specific required precautions, and the precautions can be seen at https://cmceast.org/health-precautions-2026.php.

Application Deadline:  All applications received by February 15 will be considered together for space in the program. After this date applications are still welcome; participant applications received for spaces already filled may be put on a participant waiting list.

Questions:  Contact Executive Director Susie Ikeda (susieikeda@cmceast.org, 617-447-1808) if you have questions.

* Indicates required question

Please be advised that if you are admitted to the Conference, some of your information (specifically: name, instrument(s), Conference week(s), postal address, email address, and cell phone) will be included in a printed Conference directory that is provided to all attendees. We will not share this information in any manner with any other parties. If you do not wish to have this information included in the printed Conference directory, please notify Executive Director Susie Ikeda by email (susieikeda@cmceast.org) when you submit your application.

Listed below are the four weeks that we are planning for the Chamber Music Conference to take place at Colgate University this summer. We will not know until after February 15 which weeks have space for auditors. Please indicate all the weeks you can possibly attend, and we will do our best to make it work.

Because the coaching schedule in week 1 provides very limited time for free play, we recommend that auditors seeking free-play opportunities apply for week 2, 3, or 4.

See our Frequently Asked Questions page for details about arrival and departure times. In short, arrival is between 2:00 and 4:30 on Sunday afternoons, and departure is before 10:00 on Sunday mornings.

If your availability changes after you submit your application but before you are admitted, please notify us immediately. We may not be able to accommodate changes, but it is essential that we know what your availability is. 

Listed below are the four weeks that we are planning for the Chamber Music Conference to take place at Colgate University this summer. In general, the more week availability options you provide, the greater your chances of being accepted.

See our Frequently Asked Questions page for important details about arrival and departure times. In short, arrival is between 2:00 and 4:30 on Sunday afternoons, and departure is before 10:00 on Sunday mornings.

We will dedicate sincere effort to accommodating your preferences. If for any reason we cannot, we will contact you.

If your availability changes after you submit your application but before you are admitted, please notify us immediately. We may not be able to accommodate changes, but it is essential that we know what your availability is.

Welcome new applicants and welcome back returning applicants! If we haven’t seen you in ten years or more, we are thrilled that you are returning to us and we ask that you follow our new applicant process so that we can reacquaint ourselves after the long gap. (If you are returning after a shorter gap and have arrived at this section by mistake, use the "Back" button below to return to the first page of this form, and revise your answer to the last question on that page.)

To enjoy the Conference experience fully, you should be able to play your instrument(s) skillfully, have good sight-reading ability, and have some chamber music experience. So that we can form coached groups with players of similar playing level and experience, we ask new applicants, and applicants returning after ten years or more, to provide references and play for a CMC faculty member.

In the questions below, we ask for the following information:

• a description of your musical experience
• the names and contact information of two musicians (teacher, friend, Conference participant, or Conference faculty member) whom we may contact and with/for whom you have played music
• links to recordings or videos that you might have (these are not required, but are very helpful)

After we complete our review of your application materials, we arrange for you to meet with and play for a CMC faculty member. This friendly and informal “get to know you” session is typically 20-30 minutes by Zoom or FaceTime. Plan to share two contrasting examples (from solo, chamber, or orchestral repertoire) that are representative of your ability on your instrument(s); one example should showcase your technical facility and the other your expressive and interpretive qualities. The faculty member might coach you a little, they might ask you to sight-read something, and they will chat with you about what your experience is with chamber music and what you hope to work on at the Conference.

Because of the additional steps involved, receiving your application as early as possible provides an advantage for new applicants by allowing us to get started. In our admissions process we consider all on-time applications together, and we typically have many openings to include new applicants and those returning after a long gap. When space gets tight, we give higher priority to recently returning players. Space is determined primarily by your instrument, the weeks you are available to attend, and the other applications we receive from new and returning applicants. These same factors influence timing; your meeting with a faculty member could happen very soon after you submit your application or some time later.

For each of the questions that follow, if you would prefer to submit information by email, please enter "see email" in the blank and send email to new@cmceast.org.

For details about how participants can take part in the Composers’ Forum, see Information for Participants in the Composers’ Forum page.

Accommodations:  The housing options are different from last year, and include dorms and apartments. Please review the section on Accommodations in the Beyond Music page on our website so that you can most accurately answer the questions below, and if you would like to bring one or more family members with you, please also read this information in the Frequently Asked Questions page. Unless attendees request to share a room, suite, or apartment, housing is assigned as single-occupancy per unit.

Please note:  Because the apartments are about ⅔ of a mile (a 10-20 minute, very steep walk) from the academic quad where all of our activities take place, we strongly recommend that you have access to a vehicle if you select “Apartment” or “Either” as your housing preference.

Meals:  We take meals in Frank Dining Hall, the main dining hall at the University. The dining service readily accommodates special diets; attendees will have the opportunity to communicate any dietary restrictions in advance of the Conference. Attendees not on the meal plan will be able to purchase single meals on entry to the dining hall.

Accessibility:  Attendance at the Conference requires the ability to independently negotiate Colgate’s walking paths, including some steep slopes. Some conveniences, such as elevator-equipped housing and playing spaces, are available, but you still must be able to move between buildings several times per day, on a hilly campus. Some attendees have made their own arrangements to rent mobility scooters, such as from this vendor (but please inform us of this in the “Accessibility concerns” question below).The Accommodations section of our Beyond Music page gives some examples of distances and walking times on campus. If you have accessibility issues or concerns, please indicate them below.

Non-Playing Guests:  If you wish to bring an adult (18+ years), non-playing guest with you, each guest must personally complete a Non-Playing Guest Registration Form (for adults). The deadline to register and pay for guests is May 15. 

Weekly Fees for Participants – $1,950. Includes tuition, room and board, free playing, use of all facilities, and admission to all concerts and parties.

Weekly Fees for Auditors – $1,650. Includes attendance as an observer at coaching sessions, room and board, free playing, use of all facilities, and admission to all concerts and parties.

Weekly Fees for Non-Playing Guests – $625. Includes room and board and admission to all concerts and parties. Note that guest fees are payable in full upon the guest’s registration.

Application Fee – $200 per person per week. Both the application fee and the completed application form must be received for an application to be processed. If we cannot admit you, the application fee will be fully refunded; otherwise, the application fee is nonrefundable.

Balance Payments – After you are admitted, the application fee is applied to your attendance fee. The balance is due April 1 and is nonrefundable.

Method of Payment – The Application Fee payment can be made below. Any fee payments can also be submitted by using the online CMC Payment Form.

FINANCIAL AID

Financial aid, made possible in part by donations to the Financial Aid Fund, is available to support participants who are unable to pay the full fee. Financial aid is awarded based on need – both the participant’s need for support and the Conference’s need for particular players.

PAYMENT

Please use this section to pay your application fee.

Additional contributions towards CMC beyond the required fees will be gratefully accepted. These donations enable us to offer financial assistance where needed and defray other costs.

The interdependencies of the coaching schedule make our program extremely vulnerable to any one person (or more) having to withdraw or leave due to illness. We have established these precautions based on the most current advice of our highly expert medical consultants for the purpose of protecting our community and reducing the risk of disruption to our coaching program.

CDC guidelines call for five days of masking and distancing after a respiratory illness has been improving and fever-free for 24 hours, to prevent the spread of infection. Because every attendee at the Conference is scheduled for coachings, rehearsals, and/or performances with many other attendees, any cases at the Conference will have extremely disruptive effects on the Conference as a whole. Therefore, we have focused on minimizing the chances that COVID-19 is brought to the Conference (via pre-arrival precautions, testing, and symptom reporting) and on detecting cases at the Conference (via symptom reporting and testing on site).

At the 2024 Conference COVID-19 cases arose during week 1 that we believe occurred, at least in part, due to COVID-19 being brought to the program by an attendee, but the illness was not developed enough to test positive on rapid antigen tests before arrival. We believe pre-arrival testing is essential to reducing the risk of COVID-19 being brought to the Conference, but we also plan one test during each week to detect cases that might have been undetectable before arrival.

The responsibility for detecting and reporting symptoms and test results lies in the hands of our attendees, and we ask for your diligence in looking out for the welfare of your friends, colleagues, and community members by taking this responsibility very seriously.

Please read these 2026 precautions carefully, so that you have a complete awareness and understanding of what to expect of us and what we expect of you. Compliance is required for everyone at the Conference.

Because the risks are constantly evolving, some aspects of the precautions might be further revised closer to the start of the Conference. The precautions specified below are based on our understanding at this time. If any changes are required, all Conference attendees will be notified prior to the Conference. It is important that everyone who plans to attend the Conference commit to adhere to the precautions in effect when they attend.

2026 Precautions

1. COVID-19 Vaccination: We strongly recommend that all Conference attendees be up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccination status, which means receiving a COVID-19 vaccination on or after August 27, 2025. The vaccine may be from Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Novavax.
    
   For people aged 65 years and older, being up-to-date includes 2 doses of any post-August 27, 2025 COVID-19 vaccine; the recommended interval between doses is 6 months, and the minimum interval is 2 months, which allows more flexibility to receive a second dose before the Conference.
    
   To be effective for Conference attendance the updated vaccine should be administered no later than June 14, 2026 (three weeks before the Conference).
    
   Our vaccination recommendation stems from the Conference’s deep and serious concern for each of our attendees, including many who are members of particularly vulnerable groups.
   
   
2. Masking: Masking requirements will be determined closer to the time of the Conference and communicated to all attendees. If and when required, masks must be well-fitting N95, KN95, or KF94 masks without valves.
   
   
3. Testing:
   • To minimize the chance that you bring COVID-19 to the Conference: You must acquire and self-administer two rapid antigen tests before you travel to the Conference. You will take these tests two days before you arrive at the Conference and the day that you will arrive at the Conference. For almost everyone, this means self-testing on Friday and Sunday before you come to the Conference. You are responsible for procuring the kits for these tests. Along with the result of each test, you will also be asked to report whether you have any symptoms of respiratory illness. Every attendee will receive an email detailing these requirements. We also ask for extra caution during the days leading up your arrival at the Conference (see item 6 below).
      
   • At the Conference: We will not administer COVID-19 tests on your arrival unless you forget to take your rapid antigen test before leaving home. We will administer rapid antigen tests to all attendees on Tuesday of each week. The Conference will provide the test kits for any tests that we administer on site during the Conference.
     
     
4. Large Gatherings and Social Events: We expect that our faculty concerts will be open to the public, but we will determine closer to the time of the Conference whether precautions or limitations will apply to these and other gatherings such as musicales and meetings.
   
   
5. Symptom and Exposure Monitoring Before the Conference: If you experience any of the following within ten days prior to your planned arrival at the Conference, we require that you notify us as soon as possible:
   • positive COVID-19 test
   • COVID-19 symptoms (CDC’s list can be seen here)
   • close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19
   • being directed to isolate or quarantine
   • cold-like symptoms, even if testing negative for COVID-19
     
     
6. Pre-arrival Precautions: For at least one week before your arrival at the Conference, we ask that you avoid activities that can increase your exposure to COVID-19 and other illnesses, including:
   • indoor eating/drinking at restaurants or bars
   • gatherings with people other than those in your household
   • being unmasked indoors with people other than members of your household, including during travel
     
     
7. Interacting with Non-Conference People: While at the Conference, in order to reduce exposure for those at the Conference with you, we request that you minimize interactions with people not enrolled with the Conference, including off-campus outings. If you do leave campus, we ask that you use an abundance of caution, that you mask while indoors with other people, and that you dine outdoors where possible.
   
   
8. Symptoms and Exposure While At the Conference: You must notify us as soon as possible if, while at the Conference, you experience any of the following:
   • COVID-19 symptoms (CDC’s list can be seen here)
   • close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19
   • cold-like symptoms, even if testing negative for COVID-19
    
   If an attendee has or develops symptoms that could indicate COVID-19, the Conference will administer a rapid molecular COVID-19 test as part of determining whether the illness is COVID-19. Any confirmed instance of COVID-19 at the Conference will require masking, isolation, and possibly departing the Conference. If not confirmed to have COVID-19, an attendee with symptoms may be subject to some or all of the same requirements, depending on the symptoms, the attendee’s medical situation, and the progression of symptoms.
   
   
9. Symptoms and Diagnosis After Departing the Conference: It is important for the safety of the Conference community that you notify us as soon as possible if, within ten days after departing the Conference, you experience any COVID-19 symptoms, or you are diagnosed with COVID-19.
   
   
10. Contact Tracing: To enable identification of close contacts, should you be diagnosed with COVID-19 during or shortly after your stay at the Conference, we may disclose your name and the fact that you have been diagnosed to others who attended the same week of the Conference.

[NOTE: This list of precautions is also viewable at:  https://cmceast.org/health-precautions-2026.php]

This page offers guiding principles for the personal conduct of members of our community, including participants, auditors, faculty, guests, and staff.

Principles

We seek to create and maintain a strong sense of community, helping one another learn and grow. Our community is founded on values of respect for one another and for the music we study and play.

Members of our community treat all with fairness, civility, and understanding. We prepare for our roles in the Conference and use our best efforts in fulfilling them. We listen with full attention and embrace feedback. We accept that we all have things to learn.

We protect the well-being of the Conference and contribute to a positive and safe environment that values both people and property. We avoid negative behaviors such as violence, substance abuse, discrimination, harassment, ridicule, and bullying. Those in possession of Conference assets, including confidential information and financial resources, protect them faithfully.

No document can anticipate every future scenario. The negative behaviors described above are examples of problematic behavior that could damage the Conference.

Most problems arise from misunderstandings that can readily be solved. In the rare case of a severe breach of our community values, consequences may affect an individual’s status with the Conference.

Behavior outside the Conference is immaterial except to the extent that it may bear on the individual’s effectiveness at the Conference or significantly impact the Conference’s reputation.

Process for Addressing Concerns

To address concerns related to conduct, we take the following steps:

• A concerned person (for example, a participant, auditor, faculty member, or staff member) raises the matter with the Executive Director.

• Based on the concern, the Executive Director assesses the need for involvement of the Executive Committee of the Board.

• For situations judged to be readily addressed, the Executive Director addresses the situation.

• For more serious situations, including any situation that may lead to impact on an individual’s status with the Conference, the Executive Director involves the Executive Committee. Any resolution that impacts an individual’s status with the Conference must be approved by the Executive Committee.

• If the concerned person prefers, if the matter is urgent and the Executive Director is not available, or if the Executive Director cannot play a neutral role, for reasons such as having direct involvement in the matter or a close relationship with someone involved, the issue may be brought instead to a member of the Executive Committee.

  In the course of addressing a concern, the Executive Director and/or the Executive Committee consult other parties as appropriate.

[a PDF of this content can be downloaded here]

In consideration of being allowed to attend The Chamber Music Conference and Composers’ Forum of the East, Inc.’s summer session at Colgate University in 2026 (the “Conference”), and related events and activities, I:

• Agree that if I become aware that any of the facilities used by the Conference for its activities are or may be unsafe, I will immediately advise the Executive Director of the Conference of such conditions.
  
  
• Assume all of the risks and accept personal responsibility for any damages I may incur due to injury, illness, disability, or death (including, without limitation, any damages resulting from exposure to COVID-19), relative to attendance at the Conference and related events and activities.
  
  
• Release, waive, and discharge from responsibility the Conference, any affiliate thereof, and its Officers, Board of Directors, employees, and agents (collectively the “Released Parties”) from any demands, claims, losses, or damages I may have on account of injury, including death or damage to property, caused or alleged to be caused in whole or in part by the Released Parties or otherwise.  I also covenant not to sue the Conference with respect to any such demands, claims, losses, or damages.
  
  
• Acknowledge and agree that any photographs and videos of me taken at the Conference can be used by The Chamber Music Conference and Composers’ Forum of the East, Inc. in connection with its websites and other promotional activities.

[a PDF of this content can be downloaded here]

CMC’s contract with Colgate University includes a robust list of university rules and regulations and refers to several New York State laws. All CMC attendees are required to follow all of these rules, which are available upon request. Some but not all of these obligations are highlighted and summarized here for your awareness and agreement.

1. CMC attendees may use only the buildings and facilities that CMC has indicated as available for our use. Whenever on the Colgate campus, CMC attendees must carry identification and a CMC-issued nametag demonstrating your registration for the Conference.

2. CMC attendees must comply with the laws and regulations of the State of New York, including but not only: Under New York State law it is illegal to provide alcohol to persons under the age of 21 years (“underage”); for an underage person to possess any alcoholic beverage with the intent to consume; and to use, possess, sell, or distribute illegal drugs.

3. The University shall have the right to enter residences for the purpose of inspection and maintenance.

4. The following are some of the items that CMC attendees are not permitted to bring to campus:
   • Air conditioners
   • Candles, fireworks, sparklers, gas or charcoal grills
   • Extension cords (power strips with circuit breaker overload protection on them are acceptable)
   • Weapons

5. Any CMC attendee under the age of 18 years (“minors”) must be under the direct supervision of an adult guardian.

[a PDF of this content can be downloaded here]

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