LA Music Festival
Originally percussion-focused, TAPS now welcomes pianists, string players, and percussionists to explore the music of Steve Reich, Béla Bartók, Andy Akiho, and beyond.
LA Music Festival
| June 15–30, California State University Long Beach (CSULB)
Join us for an unforgettable experience of music, mentorship, and community!
All admitted fellows receive full fellowships covering tuition, housing in CSULB dorms, and meals on campus—thanks to our generous donors.
An administrative fee applies upon acceptance.
In addition to performances and immersive experiences, the festival features a distinguished faculty who lead a series of masterclasses and chamber music coachings. Fellows also participate in a mock audition, with all participants receiving new gear to go home with. At TAPS, we are committed to equity and access, ensuring that the transformative experiences we offer are available to students of all backgrounds, regardless of financial circumstances.
2025 Festival Highlights Include:
-
Steve Reich’s iconic Music for 18 Musicians
-
Acclaimed composer and percussionist Andy Akiho as Artist-in-Residence
-
Mock Audition prizes from Majestic, Dragonfly Percussion, Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth, Marimba One, and Black Swamp Percussion
Apply for Instrument
Requirements:
1. One page artistic resume
2. Audition video: View audition requirements here
3. Application fee
Application Deadline and Fees:
November 1st - December 31st: $70
January 1st - January 31st: $90
February 1st - March 3rd: $110
Videos can be in one take or separate takes. If in separate takes, please put all files into one video and submit only one link.
Please upload your video to a cloud service such as YouTube, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc. and double check the link is not private.
Apply for Internship
Requirements:
1. Resume
2. Statement of Intention: Short video explaining why the internship program interests you and what you would like to learn from it
All applications are due March 3rd, 2025 at 11:59pm PST.
Results will be announced mid March.
Note: Fellows who have been involved in TAPS for two or more years are no longer eligible to apply.
Repertoire
Instrument
Composer
Piece
Part
Marimba
Bach
Solo of Choice
Minimum 2 min.
Marimba
Contemporary
Solo of Choice
Mvt. III D-E / Mvt. IV P-R
Xylophone
Copland
Appalachian Spring
5 after [48]- 4 after [49]
Glockenspiel
Mozart
Magic Flute
Finale
Snare Drum
Nielsen
Clarinet Concerto
10 after [3]-[4] / 28- 9 after [32]
Snare Drum
Shostakovich
Symphony No. 10
[98]-end
Tambourine
Dvorak
Carnival Overture
beg- 4 before [C]
Cymbals
Dvorak
Scherzo Capriccioso
[Q]-end
1. Movement from any standard major concerto of choice
i.e. Schumann, Dvorak, Haydn2. Optional: Chamber music recording - Highly encouraged
1. Movement from any standard major concerto of choice
i.e. Schumann, Dvorak, Haydn2. Optional: Chamber music recording - Highly encouraged
1. Movement from any standard major concerto of choice
i.e. Schumann, Dvorak, Haydn2. Optional: Chamber music recording - Highly encouraged
LA Music Festival
June 15–30, California State University Long Beach (CSULB)
Join us for an unforgettable experience of music, mentorship, and community!
Steve Reich’s iconic Music for 18 Musicians
Acclaimed composer and percussionist Andy Akiho as Artist-in-Residence
Mock Audition prizes from Majestic, Dragonfly Percussion, Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth, Marimba One, and Black Swamp Percussion
All admitted fellows receive full fellowships covering tuition, housing in CSULB dorms, and meals on campus—thanks to our generous donors.
An administrative fee applies upon acceptance.
In addition to performances and immersive experiences, the festival features a distinguished faculty who lead a series of masterclasses and chamber music coachings. Fellows also participate in a mock audition, with all participants receiving new gear to go home with. At TAPS, we are committed to equity and access, ensuring that the transformative experiences we offer are available to students of all backgrounds, regardless of financial circumstances.
Apply for Instrument
Requirements:
1. One page artistic resume
2. Audition video: View audition requirements here
3. Application fee
Application Deadline and Fees:
November 1st - December 31st: $70
January 1st - January 31st: $90
February 1st - March 3rd: $110
Videos can be in one take or separate takes. If in separate takes, please put all files into one video and submit only one link.
Please upload your video to a cloud service such as YouTube, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc. and double check the link is not private.
Apply for Internship
Requirements:
1. Resume
2. Statement of Intention: Short video explaining why the internship program interests you and what you would like to learn from it
All applications are due March 3rd, 2025 at 11:59pm PST.
Results will be announced mid March.
Note: Fellows who have been involved in TAPS for two or more years are no longer eligible to apply.
2025 Festival Highlights Include:
Repertoire
Xylophone
Copland
Appalachian Spring
5 after [48]- 4 after [49]
Instrument
Composer
Piece
Part
Marimba
Bach
Solo of Choice
Minimum 2 Min
Glockenspiel
Mozart
Magic Flute
Finale
Marimba
Contemporary
Solo of Choice
Mvt. III D-E /
Mvt. IV P-R
Snare Drum
Niesen
Clarinet Concerto
10 after [3]-[4]/
29-9 after [32]
Glockenspiel
Shostakovich
Symphony No. 10
[98]-end
Tambourine
Dvorak
Carnival Overture
beg-4 before [C]
Cymbals
Dvorak
Scherzo Capriccioso
[Q]-end
1. Movement from any standard major concerto of choice
i.e. Schumann, Dvorak, Haydn2. Optional: Chamber music recording - Highly encouraged
1. Movement from any standard major concerto of choice
i.e. Schumann, Dvorak, Haydn2. Optional: Chamber music recording - Highly encouraged
1. Movement from any standard major concerto of choice
i.e. Schumann, Dvorak, Haydn2. Optional: Chamber music recording - Highly encouraged
Concerts
Sat June 21, 2025 | 7:30 PM
Music for 18 Musicians
The Colburn School
Sat June 28, 2025 | 7:30 PM
TAPS x Andy Akiho
Daniel Recital Hall, CSULB
Sun June 29, 2025 | 2:00 PM
TAPS x Andy Akiho
at VEFA Gallery
VEFA Gallery
Past Programs
Concerts
Sat June 21, 2025 | 7:30 PM
Music for 18 Musicians
The Colburn School
Sat June 28, 2025 | 7:30 PM
TAPS x Andy Akiho
Daniel Recital Hall, CSULB
Sun June 29, 2025 | 2:00 PM
TAPS x Andy Akiho
at VEFA Gallery
VEFA Gallery
