The National Orchestral Institute is a four week summer program (usually beginning in early June) in College Park, Maryland designed to train the future generation of classical musicians. The festival also presents education in the form of not just performing but also entrepenuerial, leadership, and audience engagement skills. 

The application is due around late February and requires percussionists to submit a video/audio recording as part of the process. While members receive a substantial scholarship towards the tuition, they are required to pay for housing, transportation, parking, and a program deposit. More information