Beginning Strings is a one-week camp for violin, viola, cello, and bass for students who have never played an instrument or are interested in gaining ensemble experience. This camp will offer a good introduction for students planning to take a strings class at their school in the fall. Students who have played in elementary strings and looking for additional coaching will benefit from this camp’s highly personalized instruction. Students will work both in small groups, as well as in a large ensemble setting. They will gain exposure to a wide array of music genres from classical composers such as Mozart and Haydn to fiddle tunes and folk melodies from Celtic culture, the Middle East, and the American South. This camp is a great way to prepare for school orchestras and other, more advanced, chamber groups.
A unique feature of this camp is our parent evening. This will give parents an opportunity to gain insight into learning opportunities and practice strategies to help their students succeed in future string ensembles. Additionally, there will be an open forum to ask questions about learning a string instrument. At the end of the week we will have an informal concert displaying what the students have learned for parents, friends, and families of the students. There will be an emphasis on the newly acquired skills and sharing both techniques learned as well as music selections learned throughout the week.
Daily activities begin at 9:30 am and end at 12:30 pm including: group warm-up and stretching, performance skills, sectionals (work within just one group, i.e. violin/viola/cello/bass), and a large ensemble rehearsal.
| 9:30 | – | 10:00 am |
warm-ups & fundamental technique |
| 10:00 | – | 10:45 am | learning to read music and interpret rhythm |
| 10:45 | – | 11:00 am | -- break -- |
| 11:00 | – | 11:45 am | sectionals (small groups by instrument) |
| 11:45 | – | 12:30 pm | Large ensemble rehearsal |
Informal parent discussion evening: Tuesday, 6:00-7:00 pm
Final Presentation: Friday, 11:30-12:30 pm