BOARDING STUDENTS FAQs

(Frequently Asked Questions)

What are the 2025 Festival Dates?

The festival begins on Tuesday, August 5th, 2025 through Tuesday, August 19th, 2025

What is the location of SMF 2025?

The festival will be held at University of Mount Saint Vincent located in 6301 Riverdale Avenue, Riverdale, New York 10471.  See the Festival Location page for more details.

What are the arrival and departure times for the festival?

Arrival/Check in:  Tuesday, August 5th between *3:00pm-4:00pm

Departure/Check out:  Tuesday, August 19th between *8:00am-10:00am

*If you need to arrive or depart outside of these times, please email the SMF Staff ([email protected]) to make special arrangements.

The Orientation meeting will be on Tuesday, August 5th at 5pm in the Performance Hall (TBD).  

All students, parents, and staff are expected to attend this meeting. At the orientation meeting, you will have the opportunity to meet with the Directors, Staff and some of the faculty members. You will also receive a glimpse of how SMF will operate over the next two weeks.

Are the Dorm Rooms furnished?

YES! Each Dorm room has a bed, mattress, mattress encasement, desk, desk chair, dresser drawers, closet or wardrobe. All dorm rooms have an independent in-room cooling system (air conditioning). The garbage is located in shared bin in the hallway of the dormitory and is maintained by the facilities department.

Bathroom?

Experience the convenience of a well-maintained shared bathroom. Our shared dormitory bathrooms offer a clean, comfortable, and easy-to-access for all boarding students. With regular cleaning and maintenance by the UMSV dedicated facilities team, you can rest assured that your bathroom experience will be both refreshing and hassle-free! The shared setup fosters a sense of community and encourages interaction among the residents, creating a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.   

Are Linens provided or should I bring my own?

Yes, linens are provided!  However, please feel free to bring your own, if that makes you more comfortable. Upon arrival into your dorm room, you will find:

·        Set of Linens (1 pillow, 1 pillow case, 1 fitted sheet, 1 top sheet, 1 summer blanket)

·        Set of Towels (1 bath towel, 1 hand towel 

We recommend bringing a bath mat plus any other items (toiletries) that would help make your stay more comfortable.

Will meals be provided?

YES! The Boarding fee includes daily meals.  The Cafeteria will be open for meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) every day during specific meal times (TBD). There are also vending machines available in Founders Hall, along with “Mags Kitchen”, a grab-and-go store offering bottled beverages, packed snacks, and a selection of Dunkin’ Donuts products for purchase.  

throughout the campus for additional snacks and drinks.

Please email us at info@summitmusicfestival.org with any food allergies or restrictions!

What are the Cafeteria Hours? 

Sunday

Brunch TBD

Dinner TBD

Monday-Saturday

Breakfast TBD

Lunch TBD

Dinner TBD

Is there a daily schedule?

YES! However, depending on the instrument, students’ schedules may vary. In general, students should expect to be in classes, seminars, and chamber music (if registered) every day.  Individual lessons are 2 times per week (total of 4).  Additional Individual lessons may also be purchased during the festival upon approval by the SMF Directors. Other events will be announced through email or posted by the Registration desk. Concert Series schedule will be posted shortly.

Individual Safety Protocols are still in place for Students, Faculty and Staff – All Participants MUST continue to:

·        Wash your hands with soap and safe water frequently. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water, if hands are visibly dirty and prior to all meals.

·        Be alert for symptoms! Should you begin to have symptoms – fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, lightheadedness, shortness of breath or other symptoms of COVID, please let us know ASAP!

STUDENT CONTACT INFORMATION

Upon check-in, please make sure that the SMF Registration desk has verified your contact information as well as the primary way to communicate with you while on campus (text, email, message apps).

SECURITY DEPOSIT

ALL BOARDING STUDENTS & GUESTS ARE REQUIRED TO PAY A $150 SECURITY DEPOSIT UPON ARRIVAL

This deposit covers the key to your room, lock system to your room plus any potential room damages. Please bring a check or money order made out to Summit Music Festival or USD cash. This deposit will be returned to you upon check out AFTER we have inspected your room (all trash removed) and all keys returned to us.

ROOM ASSIGNMENTS for Boarding Students, Faculty & Guests

Room assignments are made at the discretion of the Summit Music Festival based on capacity and supervisory requirements.

DORMITORY SUPERVISOR/RESIDENT ASSISTANT

All students under 18 years old who board on the campus must have a parent/guardian sign the TEMPORARY GUARDIAN Form and name Summit Music Festival/Dorm Supervisor Name TBD as the temporary guardian. If the student is traveling with a teacher who is also boarding, name the teacher as the temporary guardian. Teachers NOT BOARDING on the campus cannot be listed a temporary guardian. If a parent is boarding with the student, a Temporary Guardian form is not required.

Your room will be assigned to a specific Summit Music Festival Dorm Supervisor and Resident Assistant. The Resident Assistant is there to help answer your questions and to solve any issues you have with the dormitory or facilities. The Resident Assistant is also responsible for maintaining the order in the dorms and for enforcing all the Rules and Policies of Summit Music Festival and UMSV. If the Resident Assistants and/or the Dormitory Supervisor are unable to resolve an issue with you directly, then the Executive Director will be called to assist.  The Resident Assistants must report all incidents to the Dormitory Supervisor/SMF Staff as soon as possible.

CURFEW POLICY

The Summit Music Festival has a curfew of 10pm for all boarding students. All students under the age of 18 must be in their own rooms at this time. We also restrict practicing hours to 9am-10pm. Resident Assistants and Dorm Supervisors are required to enforce these rules. No practicing in empty rooms, hallways or lounge areas. Please contact our Program Director – Massimiliano Mainolfi for available practice rooms by day and time.

PRACTICING

If you are a boarding string student, it is suggested that you practice in your room when possible. The day students have priority for practice rooms between the hours of 10am-5pm. The Boarding students have priority for practice rooms between the hours of 5pm-10pm.  Again, practicing is NOT allowed in empty rooms, hallways, and lounge areas and during the overnight hours (10pm-9am)! Please contact daily our Program Director – Massimiliano Mainolfi for available practice rooms and to secure your time.

There are a few laundry units located on the lower level of the dormitory, available for use FREE of charge. All guests are responsible for purchasing their own laundry detergent and softener.  

GARBAGE

Students are responsible for bringing their own trash to the garbage bin located in the halway of the dormitory and is maintained by the facilities department. Students may not leave any trash outside their doors; it must be brought to the shared garbage bin. 

QUESTIONS?

During the Festival, please do not hesitate to walk over to the SMF Registration desk between the hours of 8am-6pm or find the SMF Dorm Supervisor/Resident Assistant during the evening hours from 6pm-9am.  For any non-urgent questions or comments, please email us – [email protected].