The Eastern Music Festival an School, founded in 1962 in Greensboro, North Carolina, is a nationally renowned classical music festival of the performing arts and institute for young musicians that runs for five weeks, from late June through the last week of July. The institute accepts gifted students of ages 14 through 20 at an exclusive enrollment of 200. In 2006, there were over 800 applicants from around the world for the 200 spots. The faculty consists of outstanding musicians selected from leading orchestras and music schools with world-class performing artists serving as both faculty instructors and performers. The principal conductor for the Festival is Gerard Schwarz, who also serves as music director of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra.