Panama City Symphony’s 2025-26 Mentoring Program
The Panama City Symphony Mentoring Program offers advanced high school musicians (grades 9–12) a rigorous, pre-college training experience. Participants rehearse and perform alongside symphony musicians, receive private lessons and chamber music coaching, and participate in solo and chamber recitals. Lessons and coaching are available in-person and online.
Students must be in good standing with their high school music programs and be recommended by their classroom instructor or private instructor, if they are homeschooled. Mentorships are awarded through auditions by the Music Director in consultation with the orchestra musicians and are subject to the program’s policies and expectations.
Student Benefits, Program Impact, and College Preparation
Students are immersed in a supportive, artistically rich environment that fosters a lifelong love of music. They engage with a wide variety of repertoire, including orchestral masterworks, pops concerts, film scores, and core audition excerpts, while developing the discipline and focus required for the demands of college-level music study and beyond.
Eligibility
The Mentoring Program is open to qualified students in grades 9-12 who play one of the following instruments:
- Flute
- Oboe
- Clarinet
- Bassoon
- Trumpet
- Horn
- Trombone
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Double Bass
Expectations
Professionalism and Preparation
Students must uphold professional conduct, be fully prepared to perform their part, and arrive no later than 10 minutes early for all rehearsals and performances.
Practice and Responsibility
Consistent practice is expected. Students are responsible for their instrument, music, and folder, including maintaining parts and applying section leader markings.
Schedule Flexibility
Participation requires flexibility to accommodate rehearsals, lessons, and chamber coaching with symphony musicians.
Travel Commitment
Students must be able to travel to in-person coaching, rehearsals, concerts, and private lessons as needed.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The tuition for the 2025–2026 season is $450 per student and must be paid in two installments.
A total of five full and five partial scholarships are available and awarded based on merit and need.
Tuition Includes
- 8 private lessons
- Performing with the Panama City Symphony at assigned concerts
- Access to all symphony rehearsals
- Chamber music coaching with Conductor & Music Director Sergey Bogza
- Student chamber music and solo recital
- Access to visiting guest artists when applicable
Application & Audition Timeline
Applications are due by Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Selected applicants will be notified by Friday, August 22, 2025, and invited to a live audition.
Live Auditions and Interviews
Saturday, September 6, 2025
Location
St. Andrews Episcopal Church
1608 Baker Ct, Panama City, FL 32401
