Hello!

My name is Michael R. Stratford, and I am a Classical Double Bassist studying for a bachelor's degree in Music Performance at the Juilliard School. Every summer, I look forward to amazing opportunities in orchestral, chamber, and solo music, and this summer is no exception!

I am so proud to have received offers to attend two summer festivals this year! Firstly, the National Orchestral Institute and Festival (NOI+F), where I would perform with some of the world's leading conductors, such as Marin Alsop, John Morris Russell, Valentina Peleggi, David Alan Miller, and Daniel Hege in venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Washington National Cathedral. This program would be absolutely career-changing!

Secondly, I've received an offer to attend the International Chamber Music Academy (ICMA) of Ochsenhausen, Germany, where I would learn and perform intensive multi-instrumental chamber music with leading international musicians such as Hillel Zori, Konrad Elser, Stefan Schilling, Paul Sharpe, and Ida Bieler. This festival is no doubt an amazing opportunity as well!

As amazing as these opportunities are, unfortunate financial hardship continues to be a substantial roadblock to my access to these experiences. My mother, who has always done her best to support my career, was laid off from her job almost a year ago and has been constantly searching for something new to make ends meet, but has had little luck. My dad is unfortunately unable to work due to a head injury that he sustained while working about a year ago. These difficulties combined make a financial situation where it is simply not possible to receive significant monetary support for summer festivals from my family, and the curriculum and schedule at the Juilliard School are so intense that a full-time or even part-time job is frustratingly impossible.

So I turn to you all, the community, for help! Feel free to give as much as you feel moved to, or nothing at all, but I ask that you please share this as you find it!

I am excited about the possibility of attending these summer festivals, and I thank you all for your contributions to this project!

Greatest Wishes,

Michael Stratford

Double Bassist

Juilliard Class of 2029

UNCSA Class of 2025