gold-curve Mentoring Program

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.

Mentored Student Sarah Vaden is recognized for participation.

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
Mentored student performing with Panama City Symphony
Mentored student, Taliah Bolen, was recognized at Music of the Cosmos in April 2025.

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

CLICK HERE TO APPLY TODAY

Panama City Symphony expresses gratitude to our Mentoring Sponsor: Ms. Jo Chonko