Thank you for your interest in our Chamber Ensembles: Classical and Jazz Combos class! Please complete the following form for placement in the group best suited to their instrument and experience level. Please answer each question honestly and as thoroughly as possible where applicable. 

Please read on for the Chamber Ensembles: Classical and Jazz Combos description: 

This class offers students a unique opportunity to explore the rich traditions of both classical chamber music or jazz in a small ensemble setting. Whether performing in string quartets, brass or woodwind quintets, jazz combos, or duos, students will develop their musicianship through close collaboration, listening, and interpretation. With guidance from experienced music educators and professional performers, students will experience the intimate nature of chamber music while improving their technique and musicality on their instruments.

Throughout the course, students will strengthen their ensemble skills, focusing on tone, phrasing, harmony, improvisation, and group dynamics. Classical groups will emphasize technical precision, expressive playing, and score interpretation, while jazz groups will delve into improvisation, song forms, and the historical context of jazz standards. Students will rehearse and perform a wide range of repertoire , gaining confidence as both individual players and collaborative musicians.

This class is ideal for advanced beginner to intermediate instrumentalists who are passionate about deepening their musical knowledge, versatility, and performance experience. Open to brass, woodwind, orchestral strings, piano, percussion, and guitar, this course welcomes students with a strong foundation and a desire to explore the structure of classical music or the creative freedom of jazz.

Completion of a short form is required to place your child accurately in a group based on jazz or classical interest and skill level.

The Poet in U Scholarship

CALLING ALL CREATIVE WRITERS and POETS 

• Are U a writer?
• Do U live in NYC or Long Island?
• Are U currently in grades 4–12?

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts is kicking off The Poet in U Scholarship search — and we want U to apply!

The Poet in U Scholarship, back for a second year, is a celebration of creativity, self-expression, and voice. Show us your unique voice that exists on and off the page, and you could be selected to receive a full 4-week scholarship including busing (valued at up $6,300) to Usdan for the Summer 2026 season. 

Along with the official title and a scholarship award, The Poet in U gets both high-level performance and learning opportunities from the creative writing teaching artist faculty.

We welcome submissions of all forms of creative writing. Each submission should be the original work of an individual artist and must not infringe upon the copyrights, trademarks, rights of privacy, publicity, or other intellectual property or other rights of any person. No collaborative work will be accepted.

Rules & Eligibility

Who is eligible to submit for The Poet in U Scholarship?

• Anyone currently in grades 4-12 living in the New York City and Long Island areas for Summer 2026. Current and new Usdan students are welcome to apply! 

When and how can poets apply?

Eligible poets can apply beginning February 28, 2026. Submit the following form.

• Contact information 
• A portfolio of between 2-3 pages of any form of writing in a PDF or Google/Word Doc
• Answer in a brief paragraph: Why would you like to attend Usdan? What would you like to do with what you learn here?

What does the The Poet in U Inaugural Laureate win?

Pre-season and in-season perks include:

• Receive a 4-week scholarship to Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts valued at up $6,300 to attend Usdan from this summer as a Major in Creative Writing along with any Creative Writing Minor during either our 4A or 4B Session. Bus transportation is included in the full scholarship.
• The opportunity to join other selected finalists at Usdan for a live reading and celebration on Sunday, May 17, 2026
• Additional opportunities to give readings of their work throughout the year, including at a Usdan Festival during the Summer 2026 season
• A Usdan Creative Writing Department T-shirt & Anthology 

What is The Leonard Riggio Creative Writing Scholarship? 

The 2026 Leonard Riggio Creative Writing Scholarship offers two Poet in U runners up in the Senior division (grades 6–12) $5,000 awards to study Creative Writing at Usdan this summer. Similar to The Poet in U, this award cannot be combined with other awards.

To be considered for this award, please mark the box that says "I would like to be considered for the Leonard Riggio Creative Writing Scholarship" on the Poet in U application.

What else should I know about this contest?

• 10-12 total applicants will be selected as finalists for the scholarship and will be invited to the live reading and celebration on Sunday, May 17. 
• One Poet in U recipient from the Junior Division (grades 4-6) and one Poet in U recipient from the Senior Division (grades 6-12) will be awards a full 4-week scholarship to Usdan. 
• Two Poet in U runners up from the Senior Division (grades 6-12) will be awarded the new Leonard Riggio Creative Writing Scholarship — winning $5,000 to study Creative Writing at Usdan this summer. 

Please create an account to access the audition form. Please complete the form and upload a video.  This video will serve as your audition.  

Strict Deadline for submission: two weeks from the date of your email

If you have any trouble, please email enrollment@usdan.org.

Usdan Audition FAQ’s
How fast should I play each selection?
Please pick a tempo that you can perform each selection to the best of your ability. It is more important to play accurately than fast.
What if I can’t play something?
The purpose of these etudes/excerpts is to correctly place you in an ensemble. Do your best and demonstrate to the best of your abilities.
Why was I given such a short time to prepare?
We want to see not only your technical facility on the instrument but also your reading ability. This will help us place you in an ensemble that will be most appropriate. We purposely do not want to give you months to work on the materials.
Can I play something additional for my audition?
You MUST perform the audition materials Usdan has supplied. If you wish to play an additional piece, please keep it under 3 minutes in length. This is completely optional and not required.
Please remember, this is to make sure you are placed in the correct ensemble. This will help make sure you have an enjoyable and rewarding summer!