Description

The Penn Station Rush Hour Series features Peabody student musicians during the Friday rush hour at Penn Station.  Students perform either three 30-minute sets with 15-minute breaks between, or four 20-minute sets with 10-minute breaks between over the course of two hours in the main Penn Station lobby and music ranges from classical to jazz to popular tunes. Each performer is offered a $250 stipend for their performance.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and deliver a Peabody approved, two-hour concert program (either three 30-minute sets with 15-minute breaks between, or four 20-minute sets with 10-minute breaks between) on designated performance date.
• Arrive 15-30 minutes prior to scheduled performance time for check-in and set up. 
• Participate in community engagement meetings and/or coaching sessions as needed.
• Secure and provide instrument(s), stand(s), music, and amplification (if necessary) for performances.
• Arrange and fund transportation to and from the venue (personal or public transport, Hopkins shuttle bus, Hop Van, Lyft, etc.) 
• Performers may not accept tips from audience members. Performers are encouraged to bring personal promotional materials such as business cards to display at the performance venue.

Eligibility and Requirements

• Trios and quartets with members in their third and fourth year of undergraduate study and all graduate students may apply. Jazz ensembles are particularly encouraged to apply.
• Ensemble members will serve as representatives of the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University and must be prepared to speak with audience members and answer any questions they may have.

Application Instructions and Timeline

• Applications Open: Tuesday, April 1, 2025
• Application Deadline: Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 11:59pm
• Apply via SMILE
• Applications will be reviewed and follow-up meetings, if necessary, will be scheduled. Applicants that advance may be asked to provide supplemental information (e.g. proposed repertoire, etc.).
• Acceptance notifications will be made starting in August.

Application Requirements

• The application should be submitted entirely through SMILE
• Submit your resume/CV
• Include the following materials in a single PDF document with links to the following items:
  • Brief biography describing your instrument(s)/areas of study and any ensembles you perform with
  • Contact information for your studio teacher
  • A proposed program (either three 30-minute sets with 15-minute breaks between, or four 20-minute sets with 10-minute breaks between) and description of your proposed ensemble size and roster
  • A statement about why you are interested in the program
  • A statement about any relevant past experience
  • Links to work samples, if available/relevant

If you have any questions or need help creating any of these documents, please feel free to visit LAUNCHPad or contact us at [email protected].