Registration FAQs

Where do I apply?

To apply for the institute, visit us online at www.mendezbrassinstitute.com/apply-now. This can be found on our website by going to the top menu navigation and clicking on the Apply Now option. Your application form is submitted through a Google Form.

How much is the application fee?

All applicants applying to the institute must pay an application fee. The application fee is $35 for individual attendees. Pre-formed groups and past RMBI attendees get a discounted application fee of $30. All application fees are non-refundable.

When will I receive my notice of acceptance?

The institute generally processes applications once a week. If your application is 100% complete (all required materials submitted), you should receive your official notice of acceptance and scholarship award within 1-2 weeks of applying. During high-volume application periods, processing times may vary, although in some instances you may hear from the institute within a week of applying.

There might also be particular occasions when submitted items fail upload correctly. This may mean that we either receive an incomplete application or no application at all. If you submitted all your materials and did not receive a response from the institute after 3 weeks of applying, please email us at mendezbrassinstitute@gmail.com or rmbi@denverbrass.org so we may work on processing your application accordingly.

There’s a group of us from my school who want to come to the institute together. Can we do that?

Yes! If you have a chamber group you performed with during the school year, you can come and attend the institute as a pre-formed group. By attending as a pre-formed group, you only need to submit one application and pay one application fee, and everyone in your group will automatically receive our top $500 scholarship. Since you would be attending as a group, you do not need to submit an audition recording (recordings are used for group placements). You could bring repertoire that you have been working on, or you can learn something new that your faculty coach will provide you.

Don’t have the right instrumentation for a standard ensemble? That’s ok, too. We can take a trio and fill it out to a quintet if you want to play together during the week. If you are staying in the dorms, you can room with someone you know. And at the very least, coming to the institute with a group from your school will help make travel better, safer, and more fun! Talk to your whole section or department into coming to the institute—we won’t mind at all.

What is the age range for the institute?

We have had participants as young as 8 years old and participants who are in their 50s and beyond. The vast majority of the institute is college-aged, 18-23 years old. We recommend the institute to high school juniors and older. Younger applicants who have a private teacher and are serious about their playing are welcome to apply. It is a great opportunity for younger applicants to test and see if advanced education or career in music is right for them.