Week One Programs (June 22-27)

---

Chamber Music

Our Chamber Music Program offers violin, viola, and cello students entering grade 6 and above (for Fall 2020) a Monday through Friday daily 9:00am-12:00pm experience involving ensemble coaching, rehearsals, performance classes, and masterclasses with visiting guest artists. Intended for students at or beyond the Suzuki Book 4 or equivalent level with aligned proficiency placement in an ensemble, participants will experience significant musical, technical, and personal growth over the festival week as they prepare thoughtfully-selected repertoire for performance on the Saturday morning concert. Preformed string quartets are encouraged to apply, especially those looking to prepare specific works for upcoming auditions/competitions.
​
This program is made possible due to a partnership with ChamberArtsFest (CAF), a non-profit chamber music education outreach organization whose faculty have been presenting chamber music programs for young musicians since 2002. Our faculty include CAF alumni as well as world-class teaching artists who launched the CAF program nearly two decades ago. Collaboration and communication are the key elements of the festival experience, such that all string students who wish to participate in our Solo Performance Program are required to play in Chamber Music.

String Academy

The String Academy Program is intended for violin students entering Grade 1 through Grade 5 (for Fall 2020) who are currently at the Suzuki Books 1-3 or equivalent level, although we do accept young violinists in Preschool and Kindergarten who are able to have a parent or guardian present during the entire class. Meeting from 9:00am-12:00pm each day in a group class format, our instructors draw on best practices from early childhood music education methods like Suzuki, Dalcroze, and Orff to provide each child an enriching musical experience to develop their understanding of music, refine their technical skills on the violin, and acquire performance skills and strategies. Classes involve a blend of music and movement in fun yet challenging exercises and activities to stimulate the artistic growth of your child, and our instructors carefully tailor the depth and breadth of class content to meet the unique needs of each student. A String Academy Orchestra is convened for the older students in this program, supported by members of the California Solisti Chamber Orchestra. A limited number of spaces for young musicians who play viola and cello are available--please contact the festival director for more information. The course is co-taught by Mrs. Lori Franke and Mrs. Chika Wie, both experienced educators who specialize in working with young musicians.

Solo Performance with Orchestra

Our Solo Performance with Orchestra Program (Strings) is a unique one among summer music festivals that gives students of any age/grade who play violin, viola, or cello the opportunity to train daily with a collaborative faculty ensemble and perform a selected work of solo repertoire with orchestra. Taking place from 12:30pm-3:30pm Monday through Friday, students have a daily private lesson, participate in workshops on solo + orchestra collaboration and score study, receive coaching from the orchestra director, and rehearse daily with an ensemble of the principal orchestra musicians. No competition is required to participate, and we partner with your private instructor in the preparation process for the summer festival, including selecting appropriate repertoire for eventual performance with the orchestra. Students may only participate in the Solo Performance with Orchestra Program with concurrent enrollment in the Chamber Music Program (grades 6+) or String Academy Program (grades P-5). The development and growth of communication skills are such a critical part of our curriculum that there are no exceptions to this requirement.

We are pleased to again welcome the California Solisti Chamber Orchestra as our official ensemble-in-residence for the Summer Music Festival this season, and they will accompany every single soloist in this program.