Music Festival to Fine Arts Festival
Every year, the Department of Music at Southwestern Adventist University has the pleasure of hosting an exclusive festival for high school and academy musicians. The festival features a variety of opportunities for instrumentalists and vocalists, including the opportunity to perform in a world premiere at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas.
In addition to the festival ensembles, elite musicians have the opportunity to audition for a chance to win a music scholarship. Students who audition have the chance of being selected as a scholarship finalist, the opportunity to perform in a showcase recital, and will be reimbursed for their transportation, food, and lodging.
Every year, the Festival continues its tradition of bringing both musical masterworks and new music to the stage. The Southwestern Music Festival has featured artists such as Eriks Esenvalds, Kim Andre Arnesen, Craig Courtney, and American composer Brandon A. Boyd.
View Images from last year's festival.
View album from 2024
Weekend Schedule
Download The Weekend Schedule
Painting & Drawing Submissions
All high school artists are able to submit current artwork and apply to participate in the 2025 Fine Arts Festival. For select artists, a panel of judges will award $20,000 in Scholarships during the festival; all High School Juniors and Seniors are eligible to enter.
Project Criteria
The artist may choose their favorite painting or drawing medium. The subject matter is their interpretation of music with a cultural connection to their own heritage. Submitted art pieces must be no larger than 18×24.
Submission Criteria
All applicants will submit a 200-400 word description of their art piece. The description should share details about how the artist chose their subject, what it represents, and how it relates to their heritage. Participants must also submit a professional photo of themselves.
Submit your projects here.
The submission deadline for the completed artwork is March 13, 2025.
Festival Ensembles
The ensemble audition deadline is December 18, 2025.
How do I Apply for a Festival Ensemble?
Applicants for a festival ensemble must submit high-definition, landscape video recordings of their audition. Please submit "Public" or "Unlisted" YouTube links only.
Vocal Auditions
Audition Requirements
Submit Vocal Audition
Instrumental Auditions
Audition Requirements
Submit Instrumental Audition
Teachers and Chaperones
Register to Attend - Teachers
Register to Attend - Chaperones
Festival Ensembles
The ensemble audition deadline is December 18, 2025.
How do I Apply for a Festival Ensemble?
Applicants for a festival ensemble must submit high-definition, landscape video recordings of their audition. Please submit "Public" or "Unlisted" YouTube links only.
Vocal Auditions
Audition Requirements
Submit Vocal Audition
Instrumental Auditions
Audition Requirements
Submit Instrumental Audition
Teachers and Chaperones
Register to Attend - Teachers
Register to Attend - Chaperones
Download Audition Music
What is a Festival Scholarship?
Each year, the Department of Music at Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU) awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to elite musicians. Music Festival Scholarships are awarded to talented high school juniors and seniors selected by faculty from the Department of Music. The faculty selects a number of students from submitted auditions to be scholarship finalists.
Scholarship finalists are featured as soloists at Southwestern Adventist University’s Festival Showcase Concert and are eligible for a scholarship toward their first year of study at SWAU. Southwestern Adventist University covers travel, food, and on-campus lodging costs for each student finalist.
How do I apply for a Festival Scholarship?
Applicants for a Festival Scholarship must submit high-definition, landscape video recordings of their audition pieces. Please submit "Public" or "Unlisted" YouTube links only.
Music Scholarship Requirements for Vocalists and Instrumentalists
*Scholarship applicants looking to participate in the music festival must also submit an Ensemble Application separately.*
A Night at the Meyerson
Join us for this annual night of grandeur
We invite you to join us for an unforgettable evening of promoting musical achievement and benefiting scholarships for the program's young musicians.
A Night at the Meyerson
Join us for this annual night of grandeur
We invite you to join us for an unforgettable evening of promoting musical achievement and benefiting scholarships for the program's young musicians.
Johnathan E.L. Wall
Since arriving at Southwestern Adventist University in 2009, Jonathan Wall has provided unparalleled music opportunities to the Southwestern community. He is the director of choral and vocal studies, working with students to help them develop into talented and professional musicians.
Under Jonathan’s guidance, the Southwestern University Singers have grown into an elite international touring ensemble, known for their variety-filled programs, exquisite harmonies, and expressive interpretation of text. In addition, Jonathan is the founder and director of the Southwestern Recital Series, a concert series designed to feature students, faculty, and guest musicians, hosted on the Southwestern campus. The series has produced more than 70 concerts since its premiere.
Dr. Rogério Nunes
Brazilian violinist and violist Rogério Nunes holds a DMA in violin performance, with a minor in viola from the University of Georgia, where he was awarded a graduate assistantship. He also worked in his DMA in viola performance at the University of North Texas, where he was awarded the MDF (Master and Doctoral Fellowship) from the Toulouse Graduate School.
In Brazil, Rogério was a concertmaster and soloist of many orchestras and recorded as soloist of the Astor Piazzola’s Las Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas, among others.
At the University of Georgia, he was awarded the March Moody Scholarship in Violin and the Director’s Award. Rogério has performed, recorded, and toured in the US and Brazil as a soloist with the ARCO Chamber Orchestra. He also has toured with the University of Georgia faculty quintet and taught master classes in Brazil.
Johnathan E.L. Wall
Since arriving at Southwestern Adventist University in 2009, Jonathan Wall has provided unparalleled music opportunities to the Southwestern community. He is the director of choral and vocal studies, working with students to help them develop into talented and professional musicians.
Under Jonathan’s guidance, the Southwestern University Singers have grown into an elite international touring ensemble, known for their variety-filled programs, exquisite harmonies, and expressive interpretation of text. In addition, Jonathan is the founder and director of the Southwestern Recital Series, a concert series designed to feature students, faculty, and guest musicians, hosted on the Southwestern campus. The series has produced more than 70 concerts since its premiere.
Dr. Rogério Nunes
Brazilian violinist and violist Rogério Nunes holds a DMA in violin performance, with a minor in viola from the University of Georgia, where he was awarded a graduate assistantship. He also worked in his DMA in viola performance at the University of North Texas, where he was awarded the MDF (Master and Doctoral Fellowship) from the Toulouse Graduate School.
In Brazil, Rogério was a concertmaster and soloist of many orchestras and recorded as soloist of the Astor Piazzola’s Las Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas, among others.
At the University of Georgia, he was awarded the March Moody Scholarship in Violin and the Director’s Award. Rogério has performed, recorded, and toured in the US and Brazil as a soloist with the ARCO Chamber Orchestra. He also has toured with the University of Georgia faculty quintet and taught master classes in Brazil.