Questions happen. Check out these frequently-asked ones below.
General Questions
What is BU Tanglewood Institute?
Boston University Tanglewood Institute (also known by the acronym BUTI) is a premier summer training program for talented young musicians ages 14 to 20. BUTI is located in the beautiful Berkshire mountains of Lenox, Massachusetts just down the road from the Tanglewood Music Center: the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO). Because of BUTI’s special relationship with the BSO, students have the opportunity to learn and grow through intensive programming in the presence of some of the world’s greatest music professionals and teachers.
Another program that operates concurrent with BUTI is the BSO’s Tanglewood Music Center (TMC), which is a separate program from BUTI. TMC is a program for older students–those typically in college or graduate school.
What is BU Tanglewood Institute's connection with the Boston Symphony Orchestra?
BUTI is a program of Boston University College of Fine Arts, and operates in conjunction with the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) and Tanglewood Music Center (TMC). BUTI students are given access to all* BSO and TMC concerts each summer, and often have the opportunity to study with BSO and TMC personnel in a variety of musical settings. Furthermore, many rehearsals and concert performances take place on the Tanglewood main grounds (about a mile away from the BUTI campus). This close proximity and access to the BSO and TMC allows BUTI students the opportunity to experience several facets of Tanglewood.
*Not including Popular Artists Series concerts.
Who can participate? Are there age requirements?
BUTI is open to US Citizens and International students of all backgrounds. You must be between the ages of 14 and 20 during the summer of your participation. There are specific age requirements depending on the program(s) you’re interested in applying for:
Two-week workshops accommodate students ages 14-20 at the time of the program. A freshman or sophomore enrolled in college who meets the age requirements can attend a two-week workshop.
BUTI’s Young Artists Programs accommodate students’ ages 14-19 who have not yet started coursework in a post-secondary degree program (such as a college or conservatory). This means that students are eligible for the summer after they graduate high school, before they begin college classes. If a student is taking part-time college-level classes while in high school, they are still eligible as long as their full-time enrollment is at the high school level.
Students under the age of 14 are eligible to apply for workshops and young artists programs, but students within the recommended age range will receive preferential admission.
The average age of BUTI students is approximately 16 and a half.
When is the program? Can I only attend a portion of the program?
The Two-Week Workshops will run from June 23 – July 6, 2024. The Young Artists Programs will run from July 7 – August 17, 2024.
Students are required to attend the full duration of the program(s) in which they participate. Short leaves, typically only a few days, are approved on a case-by-case basis by BUTI administration and faculty.
Where is BU Tanglewood Institute located?
All BUTI programs typically take place in Lenox, Massachusetts, approximately 130 miles west of Boston. The BUTI summer campus address is 45 West Street, Lenox, MA 01240, and the closest airport is in Albany, NY. During the academic year, BUTI offices and staff are located in Boston.
Do students live on campus?
BUTI is typically a residential program and most students live on campus, eat in the cafeteria, and participate in a variety of student life activities.
COVID-19 Protocols and Information
As BUTI plans for this summer in the months ahead and conditions evolve, we will work closely with Boston University’s designated healthcare team to make decisions about COVID-19 protocols in consultation with public health authorities, epidemiologists, and other experts at BU and around the world. Our commitment to delivering an outstanding and healthy experience for the entire BUTI community has never been stronger. Please check back here regularly for the latest information and updates.
Application Process
How do I apply?
Please click here to learn more about the application and audition process.
When is the application deadline? Do you accept late applications?
The application deadline is January 25, 2024, 11:59pm, PT. Late applications will be accepted but will only be reviewed if space permits. We encourage you to submit your application by the deadline to guarantee full consideration for our programs. Letters of recommendation will be accepted after the application deadline, and late letters of recommendation will not penalize the applicant.
Is the application deadline a postmarked or received-by deadline?
The application deadline is a received-by deadline and will mark the beginning of the review process.
I ran into a problem with my online application. What do I do?
Acceptd, the service that hosts BUTI’s admissions application, boasts an excellent technical support team. Technical assistance can be accessed through the HELP tab within the BUTI online application. If you run into continued trouble with the online application or with requesting support from Acceptd, please contact BUTI at tanglewd@bu.edu. If you have already submitted your application and need help, please contact us at tanglewd@bu.edu.
Are international students eligible to apply for BU Tanglewood Institute?
Yes, international students are eligible and encouraged to apply! We routinely have students participating from upward of 15 different countries across the globe.
May I apply on more than one instrument?
Yes, you may apply for more than one instrument, but you must submit a separate application (with a reduced application fee) to apply on a secondary instrument. To apply on a secondary instrument, use the BUTI coupon code TBA on the final payment screen of the second application to obtain a reduced application fee of $30.00 on your second application. If accepted into overlapping programs, you may decide which program you would like to attend.
Where do I send my admissions materials?
Please send all materials related to admissions to the following address:
BU Tanglewood Institute
Attn: Application Materials
855 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
May I send supplemental information about musical and/or personal accomplishments?
The audition is the largest factor in determining admissions. Supplementary information about an applicant’s background and accomplishments may be submitted within the application.
Is it better to audition live or with a recording?
Live and recorded auditions are reviewed equally with no preference given to either method of audition. You may not, however, audition live and then also submit a recording. Click here for more information about auditions.
Is piano accompaniment required for my audition?
BUTI recommends unaccompanied auditions for instrumental auditions. If an instrumentalist chooses to use a pianist for their audition, however, they will not be penalized. Vocalists are required to audition with live piano accompaniment*. BUTI does not provide accompanists. We recommend that applicants consult their teacher and/or local colleges and universities to inquire if they can recommend local collaborative pianists.
*If you wish to use a recorded accompaniment, you must contact the BUTI offices to receive permission to do so. Permission is not guaranteed.
When are admissions decisions made?
Admission decisions for those who applied by the January 25, 2024 deadline will be released by March 15, 2024. Applicants are notified by email of both the admission and scholarship award (if applicable) within a week, so it is important for applicants to complete their scholarship form at the same time as their admissions application. If you require an expedited admissions decision, please contact us at tanglewd@bu.edu and we will try and help if possible.
What happens if I am wait listed?
BUTI typically sees more qualified applicants than it has space to admit, so we utilize a waiting list. Although it’s not possible to predict the likelihood of an admissions invitation from a waiting list, invitations off the waiting list happen every year for every program. In most cases, BUTI does not release a student’s position on the waiting list. If you wish to withdraw from the waiting list, please email or call immediately so opportunities can be granted to other students.
Scholarships
What types of scholarships are available?
BUTI awards hundreds of thousands of dollars in merit-based and need-based scholarships each year, and individual awards range from $500 to the full cost of tuition.
Will applying for scholarship affect my admissions decision?
Applying for or receiving scholarship does not affect the admissions decision in any way.
Is there still the possibility of receiving scholarship (or an increased scholarship) after the initial scholarship award notification?
All applicants are encouraged to fundraise through local organizations and/or a benefit concert. Even if you have been declined scholarship with your admissions decision, it is still possible to receive a scholarship (or an increase to your original scholarship offer) before the program starts due to funds being redistributed from students not attending. Please email tanglewd@bu.edu if there are any updates or changes to your financial status that BUTI should be made aware of or if you have any questions.
Additional Information
How do I order a recording?
BUTI sells digital recordings, which may be requested by emailing tanglewd@bu.edu.
How do I order a transcript?
Official transcripts may be purchased through the BU Registrar’s Office after October 1, 2023. Please visit this website to create an account with Parchment, BU’s transcript processing vendor, to order your transcript. You do not need to input your Student ID to order a transcript. When indicating degree type, please use ‘Non Degree/Tanglewood.’ If you have questions, please contact the BU Registrar’s Office at 617.353.3612 or at registrar@bu.edu.
What is FERPA?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of a student’s education records. In compliance with FERPA, BUTI does not disclose personally identifiable information contained in student education records, except as authorized by law. Click here to learn more. BUTI works with various recruiting partners during the admissions cycle, and at times has a business need to release Directory Information to these partners for the purposes of reporting, confirming participation in BUTI programming, or supporting the student experience. If students wish to restrict the release of Directory Information, please email tanglewd@bu.edu with the request, and this information will not be released to recruiting partners or other individuals.