Apply to Discover Quintet!
Application Process:
1. Fill out the application form.
2. Send us your audition video(s) or audition live.
1. Application Form*:
*Please note when filling out the form, you will need to know:
2. Audition:
If auditioning in-person:
If submitting a digital audition:
1. Fill out the application form.
2. Send us your audition video(s) or audition live.
1. Application Form*:
- Use this link to fill out the application Google Form (or copy/paste the following link into your browser to access the form: https://forms.gle/kEqyNGQAKvkuaoKM9)
- Fill out all of the required information (denoted with a red asterisk: * )
- Click submit!
- Send your $25 application fee if applying between May 2-31, 2026. (see payment information below).
*Please note when filling out the form, you will need to know:
- Student and parent contact information
- if you would like to be considered for need-based scholarships/financial aid.
2. Audition:
If auditioning in-person:
- Email Nancy Switkes at [email protected] to schedule your in-person audition after filling out your application (if your application and application fee have not been received, you cannot schedule an in-person audition).
- The last day to audition will be Friday, June 12, 2026. Please schedule your audition no later than Sunday, May 31, 2026 to ensure you will have a live audition slot secured before the deadline.
- Prepare the material outlined for your instrument(s) below.
- Piano accompaniment is not required for your audition.
- With rolling acceptances, earlier submissions receive more weight in deciding who is accepted. After deposit is received, workshop pieces will be sent.
If submitting a digital audition:
- Record your audition video(s). Video formats only, please. Audio-only auditions will not be accepted. Please try to record your audition in one take. If separate takes are necessary between scales and solo, please try to put them together into one video.
- Upload your audition video(s) either as:
- an unlisted YouTube video.
- Please title the YouTube video your "First and Last Name - DQ 2026 Audition". For example: Samuel Barber - DQ 2026 Audition
- into a Google Drive folder.
- Please name the Google Drive folder your "First and Last Name - DQ 2026 Audition". For example: Amy Beach - DQ 2026 Audition
- Please include a copy of the score for your solo in the Google Drive folder.
- an unlisted YouTube video.
- Send your audition material links to Nancy Switkes at [email protected] or by clicking here. If emailing a link to unlisted YouTube video(s), please also attach a copy of the score of your solo piece.
Audition Requirements
All scales should be performed memorized as slurred 8th notes at quarter note = 80-120 bpm ascending and descending.
Flute:
Oboe:
Clarinet:
Horn:
Bassoon:
Flute:
- Scales:
- Two Octaves (where possible): C Major, F Major, B-flat Major, E-flat Major, G Major, D Major, and A major
- Two Octave Chromatic Scale, starting on low C
- Solo (can be one of the following):
- Etude
- Movement of a sonata or solo work (under 5 minutes)
- Band part that shows your strengths
Oboe:
- Scales:
- One Octave: F Major, E-flat major, G Major, and A Major
- Two Octave (where possible): C Major, B-flat Major, D Major
- Two Octave Chromatic Scale starting on low C.
- Solo (can be one of the following):
- Etude
- Movement of a sonata or solo work (under 5 minutes)
- Band part that shows your strengths
Clarinet:
- Scales:
- Two Octaves (where possible): Concert C Major, F Major, B-flat Major, and G Major
- One Octave: Concert E-flat Major, D Major, A Major
- Two Octave Chromatic Scale, starting on low written C
- Solo (can be one of the following):
- Etude
- Movement of a sonata or solo work (under 5 minutes)
- Band part that shows your strengths
Horn:
- Scales:
- One Octave: Concert C Major, F Major, B-flat Major, E-flat Major, G Major, D Major, and A Major
- Two Octave chromatic scale starting on low concert C.
- Solo (can be one of the following):
- Etude
- Movement of a sonata or solo work (under 5 minutes)
- Band part that shows your strengths
Bassoon:
- Scales:
- Two Octaves (where possible): C Major, F Major, B-flat Major, E-flat Major, G Major, D Major, A Major
- Two Octave chromatic scale, starting on low C
- Solo (can be one of the following):
- Etude
- Movement of a sonata or solo work (under 5 minutes)
- Band part that shows your strengths
Important Dates
Early Application Deadline |
May 1, 2026 |
Final Application Deadline |
May 31, 2026 |
Last Day to Schedule in-person audition |
May 31, 2026 |
Audition Submission |
May 1 - June 12, 2026 |
Acceptance Notices |
June 15- 19, 2026 |
Tuition Deposit |
June 30, 2026 |
Final Tuition Payment |
July 15, 2026 |
Discover Quintet Workshop |
July 27 - 31, 2026 |
Payment Information
Application Fee (early application deadline) |
Application Fee (regular deadline) |
Tuition Deposit |
Final Tuition Payment |
25 |
25 |
125 |
125 |
Submission of Application before May 1, 2026. |
Submission of application between May 2 - 31, 2026. |
Due by June 30, 2026 to secure student spot in Discover Quintet Workshop. |
Due by July 15, 2026.. |
Payments can be made via the following methods:
If you need to pay using a different method, please contact Nancy Switkes directly at
- Personal Check
- Please make checks out to: Discover Quintet
- Please mail checks to:
- Discover Quintet
- Address Line 1
- City, State ZIP
- All checks should be postmarked by their due date to be considered an on-time payment.
- PayPal
- Please send payments to [email protected] on PayPal.
- Barter items could be supplying snacks, designing T-shirt logo, helping with chair set-up...in exchange for payment.
If you need to pay using a different method, please contact Nancy Switkes directly at
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone (Call or Text): +1 (301)412-1144
Scholarship Information
At Discover Quintet, we want all students to have the opportunity to participate in our workshop and build important foundational skills in chamber music, regardless of financial background. To ensure all students have an equal opportunity to attend our workshop, we offer scholarships in various amounts to those who demonstrate financial need.
Students who want to be considered for scholarships to Discover Quintet should apply by the early application deadline (Friday, May 1, 2026) and indicate on their application form that they want to be considered for scholarship. By Monday, May 15th, 2026, a parent or guardian should email Nancy Switkes ([email protected]) indicating that they would like to inquire about qualifying for a partial or full scholarship.
Steps to be considered for scholarship to Discover Quintet:
Students who want to be considered for scholarships to Discover Quintet should apply by the early application deadline (Friday, May 1, 2026) and indicate on their application form that they want to be considered for scholarship. By Monday, May 15th, 2026, a parent or guardian should email Nancy Switkes ([email protected]) indicating that they would like to inquire about qualifying for a partial or full scholarship.
Steps to be considered for scholarship to Discover Quintet:
- Complete application form by May 1, 2026 (early application deadline) and check the box indicating you would like to be considered for scholarship.
- Email Nancy Switkes by May 15, 2026 to see if you qualify!
- Submit your audition video(s) or complete your live audition by June 12, 2026.
