DIVERTIMENTO MUSIC CAMP
APRIL 14-18, 2025
APPLICATION FORM IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE
APPLICATION DEADLINE IS SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 2025
AT A GLANCE
The BIMF Divertimento Music Camp is an afternoon music program that provides young musicians with an exciting week of joyful music-making and memorable experiences. It welcomes piano, violin, cello, flute, and guitar students ages 8-13. The music instruction takes place daily from 2:30 pm to 6 pm, providing individual instrumental lessons, choir and ear training workshops, and ensemble coaching.
Additionally, students can enroll in the sleep-away program, which offers fun outdoor and team-building activities led by the Belmonte scouts during the mornings.
The BIMF Divertimento Music Camp nurtures students’ love for music with one-on-one instruction and group activities that promote musical growth, self-confidence, and long-lasting friendships. The camp ends with a Gala Concert, a celebratory concert where students share their music and learning on stage.
Classes are taught in English and Portuguese.
WHEN AND WHERE
The BIMF Divertimento Music Camp will take place from April 14 to April 18, 2025 in Bendada (Municipality of Sabugal), Portugal. Lessons and rehearsals will be held at Casa da Música, a newly built state-of-the-art music school with soundproof practice rooms and a beautiful glass-wall concert hall overlooking the scenic valley. All students will be invited to perform at the Divertimento Music Camp Gala Concert, on Friday, April 18, at 6 pm.
ELIGIBILITY
The BMF Divertimento Music Camp welcomes piano, violin, viola, cello, flute, and guitar students ages 8–13. Students must have at least two years of music instruction to attend the program.
REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS
Fill out the Application Form located at the bottom of this page
Deadline to apply: Sunday, March 16, 2025
Tuition, housing, and meal plan fees must be paid in-full by Sunday, March 30, 2025
SLEEP-AWAY PROGRAM
Students enrolled in the sleep away program are provided with board and lodging, as well as local transportation to all Divertimento Music Camp activities.
The housing provided by the festival will take place at the “Back to School” hostel located in Inguias, Portugal (a 10-min drive from Bendada). Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided by a local kitchen and served at the hostel. Students will be supervised by Festival staff, and they will engage in fun and team building activities led by the Belmonte scouts during the mornings of April 15, 16, and 17.
The sleep-away program has limited spots available, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
TUITION
Thanks to the support of the Municipality of Sabugal, the Associação Alvorada nas Beiras, and the donations of the Friends of the Bendada International Music Festival, the Festival was able to subsidize the tuition for all accepted students.
Tuition for the BIMF Divertimento Music Camp is €120 for Portuguese citizens and Portuguese residents, and €170 for International students.
Tuition includes all activities that take place from April 14 to 18, from 2:30 pm to 6:00 pm (private lessons, choir, ear training, ensemble, and other workshops).
Tuition does not include the sleep-away program (housing, meals, and local transportation).
SCHOLARSHIPS
Students who need financial support to participate in the festival can apply for a partial scholarship. Scholarships are limited and very competitive. To be considered for financial aid, applicants must submit a video recording representing their current artistic level and a letter of motivation. The letter should describe the applicant’s need for financial assistance, academic background, musical career goals, and interest in participating in the Bendada Music Festival. The video recording and the letter of motivation should be uploaded via the Divertimento Music Camp Application Form linked at the bottom of this page.
Scholarships do not cover the sleep-away program (housing, meals, and local transportation).
SLEEP-AWAY PROGRAM
The Festival sleep-away program costs 110€. It includes 4 nights at “Back to School” (from April 14 to 18), all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) starting from lunch on April 14 and ending with lunch on April 18 (dinner on April 18 is not included), daily transportation to all the activities, and participation in the recreational activities in the mornings of April 15, 16, and 17.