The Newfound Chamber Winds Summer Music Festival is a two-week chamber music and new music intensive. The NFCW Summer Music Festival combines three programs—the Tidewater Composition Workshop, the Newfound Chamber Winds Conducting Fellowship Program, and the Newfound Chamber Winds Chamber Music Fellowship Program—into a unique musical experience, modeled after the collaborative spirit of Newfound Chamber Winds. Participants of each program receive individual and group instruction and mentorship from NFCW Artist Faculty, work side-by-side with faculty to perform traditional and newly composed works, collaborate and network with musicians of different programs, and receive high-quality video and audition documentation of their work and performances.

The Newfound Chamber Winds Summer Music Festival experience is modeled after how Newfound Chamber Winds has worked and grown together through its rigorous, yet communal rehearsal environment. Each day offers a balance of rehearsal, coaching, collaboration, composing, practice, and mentorship. After the conclusion of the first festival cycle (June 8-11), participants are given a full day off of festival activities (June 12) to recuperate and socialize. Following the day off, participants and faculty return to normal festival activities for a second festival cycle.

An example of a typical day would be:

• Breakfast

• 2-3 morning rehearsal/presentation blocks (Large Conducted Chamber Ensembles, Conducting Sessions, and Composition Presentations)

• Lunch

• Mentorship Sessions with NFCW Faculty, Guest Artists, and Guest Composers

• Composition Seminar; Chamber Music Rehearsals and Coachings

• 2-3 afternoon rehearsal blocks

• Dinner

• Evening performance event

Additional activities built into the schedule include:

• 1 on 1 lessons with NFCW Faculty, Guest Artists, and/or Composition Faculty

• 1 on 1 Mentorship Time with NFCW Faculty