Summer Camp activities include:
Ensembles
Intermediate and Advanced Players:
- Summer String Orchestra
- Small Chamber Ensembles
Young Players:
- Violin/Cello Choirs
- Introduction to Orchestra
Classes and Activities
- Repertoire and Technique class
- Theory class
- Masterclasses
- Sight Reading
- Outdoor activities
Optional
- "Viola for Violinists"
- Individual Set Up Seminar
- After-camp care
(Descriptions below)
Ensembles
Summer String Orchestra: Intermediate and Advanced students are organized into ensembles of 15-25 students in which they study several pieces to perform during the final concert for camp. In these groups, students will work on: listening to their own section while also balancing with the other sections, articulation, phrasing, dynamics, posture, and performance practice.
Small Chamber Ensembles: Each student will be placed in a small chamber group of 3 to 5 players in which each student plays a different solo part within a group. Chamber music is an excellent opportunity to shine on your own part while also performing with others, and can be one of the most rewarding experiences of classical music playing. These groups will range from young students with only 1 year of experience, to advanced students with 10+ years of experience.
Violin/Cello Choirs: These students will be working on unison and duet pieces in Violin and Cello Choirs as they continue to develop their individual and ensemble skills. Violinists must be able to play a G major scale and have played their instrument for 2 full years, and have completed 1 year of Violin Choir 1, or the equivalent.
Classes
Repertoire and Technique: Young musicians are placed in violin and cello choirs with students of a similar ability level where they will learn pieces to play in unison and in two-part harmony. Emphasis is placed on correct posture and finding their most beautiful sound. Students will also have the opportunity to perform solo pieces for their peers in class, so bring your most polished piece to play!
Theory: Students at camp will spend time fine tuning their theory skills from finding the key of a piece to learning about building blocks of composition. Students will also learn about composers and different styles of music, and they'll show off all they learned in Theory class at the Theory Bee on the last day of camp.
Master Classes: In Master Classes, intermediate and advanced students play a solo piece in a practice performance setting and receive comments on their work. Performance classes like these are incredibly helpful for students to gain experience and confidence performing solo works in a supportive environment. Students are encouraged to memorize their pieces for Master Classes.
Optional
Viola for Violinists: Are you a violinist who has always wanted to give the viola a try? Whether you are curious, want to add viola to your wheelhouse, or want to make a switch, take this class! It's a great opportunity for students to give viola a try and see how they like the beautiful resonance of the viola. (See Summer Camp Registration and Fees page for details on easy viola rentals for camp).
Activities
Outdoor Activities: Not only will students learn a lot about their instrument and music during camp, each day after lunch, students will spend time outside playing outdoor games to have a break from being on their instruments.