I am attending ICI. How and when should I plan to arrive?

The International Cello Institute is held on the campus of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota.

Students attending ICI 2025 should plan to arrive on Sunday, July 13th, if possible between 1-5 pm CST. Orientation will be that same evening.

We understand that students will be arriving from all over the United States, so please arrange a flight that coordinates with our check-in procedure. International students may want to arrive a couple of days earlier to settle into the new time zone. Arrangements can be made with host families for earlier arrivals.

If you are driving, please plan to arrive within the check-in window, 1:00 pm-5:00 pm (CST). Our first meal together will be dinner that night, followed by an informational meeting for all students.

Transportation Information:

If you are flying, the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is about a 45-minute drive from St. Olaf College. There are Uber and Lyft at the airport, but you should inquire if they go to Northfield, because this has been inconsistent for us, and there are no Uber and Lyft hubs within the town of Northfield.

• If you are a parent traveling with a minor, renting a car at the airport to drive your student to ICI is a great option.

• For adult cellists traveling alone, we will provide shuttle transportation options at an extra cost. This will need to be coordinated carefully by our staff. Make sure to include us in your travel arrangements. We will then be able to let you know your expected shuttle pick-up time, depending on your arrival time

Who should I contact if I have travel delays or other inconveniences?

Contact information for one or more of our staff members will be provided to students and parents in advance of travel. Please call and/or text this person on your travel day!

Where and when will I register when I arrive on campus?

Registration will be held in the lobby of our dorm at Ytterboe Hall between the hours of 1:00 pm and 5:00 p.m. Our staff and counselors will be available to give you your key cards, meal cards, and schedules. If you cannot arrive within this time frame, please let us know, and we can make arrangements for someone to meet you when you arrive.

What day should I plan to leave at the end of ICI?

The departure date for ICI students this year is Sunday, August 3. Our two Grande Finale Concerts are on Saturday, August 2.
ICI offers shuttle and individual rides to the MSP Airport, depending on each student's departure time. Our counselors and staff will conduct the checkout process.

Before leaving the St. Olaf Campus, a check-out procedure is carefully explained. Students will notify their counselors that they are all packed and ready for a room inspection. In the event of any room damage, students will be notified and charged after St. Olaf College maintenance assesses the damage. Please be aware that the loss or failure to turn in a room key and key card will result in extra charges. For details on this, please consult the student handbook.

Maps and Directions to St. Olaf College

• Click here for an Interactive Map of St. Olaf College

• Click here for the College’s Driving Directions

Flying with a cello

• Click here for information on how to book a ticket for your cello

• Print the FAA Passenger’s Bill of Rights to Carry With You

If the ICI participant is a minor traveling alone

• Important information to keep in mind when booking a ticket for an unaccompanied minor

For Visitor Information Page (Hotels and Entertainment in Northfield)

• Click here to view the Visitor Information Page