Our Program

Overview

Our 2011 program provides a one-week series of chamber music sessions for instrument and voice, from July 11-15, featuring insightful and innovative approaches from our exceptional faculty.

Students participate in private coachings, supervised rehearsals, yoga class, theory class, helpful master classes and Dalcroze Eurhythmics — all in the context of a supportive and enriching environment.

Who Can Apply?

Anyone 10 -18, or at or least a Suzuki Book 3-4 level or equivalent for violinists, and book 2-3 for violists and cellists. Students outside of these parameters can be accepted with the director's permission.  We encourage applications from pre-formed ensembles and individuals wishing to be placed in a group. All instrument and voice categories are considered.

What is the program like?

Our chamber music program is an intensive seminar where students spend one week learning the art of ensemble playing.  This is supplemented with theory classes, Dalcroze Eurhythmics, and yoga to provide a complete musical experience. 

Students are assigned to age and level appropriate groups.  Each group is assigned a private coach who will guide them through rehearsals. These groups spend the week on one piece of the chamber music literature, and work to perfect this work for a recital at the end of the week.

To see a typical day's itinerary, click here.

Each day’s schedule begins with a half-hour yoga class to put students’ minds and bodies into limber and focused readiness, a wonderful opportunity to prepare for the intensity and concentration of the coming daily activities.

Students then break into their chamber groups to be coached by their assigned faculty member.  This are like a private lesson for the ensemble.

Then, the students split into two groups.  Half move to a theory class, and the other half hold supervised rehearsals, in which the student ensembles use their newly acquired rehearsal techniques with only sparse guidance by their coaches. This allows students to develop independence and the ability to work together toward a common musical goal.

After lunch the students participate in both Dalcroze Eurhythmics and master class performances.

Eurhythmics helps enhance the students' sense of rhythm and pitch through movement.

Master classes  are performances in which a group performs for the rest of the students, and then is publicly coached for the benefit of all.

At least once each session, our faculty gives rehearsal demonstrations, showing students how professional chamber ensemble rehearsals are typically conducted.

At the end of the week, all participating chamber ensembles perform in a final concert. These concerts are videotaped and made available (on DVD) to each student.

What do I need to prepare/bring?

Students will recieve a copy of the music they will be studying prior to the sessions.  This needs to be well prepared at the individual level so that rehearsal time can be devoted to ensemble skills and musical interpretation.  We strongly request that students bring this music to their private teachers for instruction. 

Students are required to bring a folding stand each day, as well as a sack lunch.