Fees & Deadlines

Applications for 2025 Rushmore Music Festival will open November 1st.

  • FREE - Rushmore Music Festival is a Fellowship-based program. Each audition-accepted student is awarded a full-tuition scholarship, which covers the entire curriculum.

  • FREE - Each audition-accepted student will be provided accommodations in the new student residence quarters on the new Festival property.

  • $750 per 3-week session
    ($1,500 for Session I & II)

  • Students are responsible for all costs associated with getting TO and FROM the Festival.

    Pick-ups and Drop-offs at Rapid City Airport are provided for all students.

    While at the Festival, all transportation is provided for the students.

Recorded Video Interview Prompt

This is our chance to get to know a little bit about you! Imagine that an audience member came up to you after your performance and asked you some questions. In under 5 minutes, please share your thoughts on the following topics: What do you love about music and playing your instrument? Do you have any musical heroes or inspirations? What do you think is the most important job of a performer? What role does music serve in your life right now and where do you see yourself in 3, 5, or maybe 10 years? And finally, should you get accepted, what do you wish to gain from your time at the Rushmore Music Festival?

Application Deadlines

  • Early Decision Deadline

    Wednesday, January 15th, 2025

    *Application Fee: $75
    (Non-refundable)

  • Regular Application Deadline

    Saturday, February 15th, 2025

    *Application Fee: $95
    (Non-refundable)

  • Late Application Deadline

    Saturday, March 15th, 2025

    *Application Fee: $125
    (Non-refundable)

Admission Notification

Admission Notification

Early Decision

Applicants will be notified of their admission results via email within approximately 2 weeks from the Early Decision deadline. If accepted, students will be granted 2 weeks to confirm their attendance. At this time, a non-refundable Meal Plan Deposit will be due to reserve your place at the Festival. If Early Decision is NOT granted, student will be added to the Regular Application pool, applications for which will be processed after the Regular Application deadline.

All applications submitted after the Early Decision deadline will be processed as a Regular Application, unless Priority Decision Notification is requested.

Note: If admission is granted, students will not be able to request admission acceptance extensions past the next application round, which is the Regular Application deadline. If a decision cannot be reached by this point, the student’s application will be withdrawn and reassigned for new admission consideration with the other Regular Application applicants. As a result, the original admission offer may be rescinded based on the new round of applications.

Regular Application

Students will receive admission results via email within approximately 2 weeks from the Regular Application deadline. If accepted, students will be granted 1 week to confirm their attendance. At this time, a non-refundable Meal Plan Deposit will be due to reserve your place at the Festival.

Note: If admission is granted, students will not be able to request admission acceptance extensions past the next application round, which is the Late Application deadline. If a decision cannot be reached by this point, the student’s application will be withdrawn and reassigned for new admission consideration with the other Late applicants. As a result, the original admission offer may be rescinded based on the new round of applications.

Late Application*

Students will receive admission results within 1 week of the Late Application deadline. Students will be granted 3 business days to confirm their attendance or be placed on the Waitlist if additional time is needed to make the decision. At this time, a non-refundable Meal Plan Deposit will be due to reserve your place at the Festival.

*Applications after March 15th may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please email us prior to submitting an application to inquire about available spots.

Waitlist

After each round of applications, a Waitlist may be established. Students will only be notified in the case that an admission is granted, which may be at any time before April 1st.

Application Fee Waiver

An application fee waiver may be requested in cases of financial hardship. Proof of Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch program (FRPL) documentation will be required for approval of a fee waiver. Please email us at: Office@RushmoreMusicFestival.org

Priority Decision Notification

Request an admission decision at any time! Are you considering other programs and need an admission decision outside of our pre-scheduled notification period? On the student application form you can elect to be notified within 5 Business Days of your submitted application (Additional Cost: $25)

When Should I Apply?

It is always best to apply with the strongest audition video and with other Festivals’ deadlines in mind. However, after the Early Decision deadline, typically 20-30% of the total spots are filled, and after the Regular Application deadline, typically 60-70% of the total spots are filled. These numbers are approximate and can vary significantly per instrument each year.