Where: Scripps College, Claremont, CA
When: July 22-28, 2012
What: An intense, joyful week of musical fun, learning and growth
Who: You, along with top-notch coaches
If you're reading this page, chances are good that you already know there is something very special and powerful in the experience of playing great music yourself. What is it that brings us back to playing chamber music? Is it the feeling of being inside the mind of a great composer? The joy of creating something beautiful and ephemeral? The pleasure in the company of spending intimate time with bright, friendly people?
The joy of chamber music comes from all of these things. And the wonderful thing is, the more skillful you get, the more deeply you learn to listen, the more intense this joy becomes.
Imagine how great it would be if you could take a solid week every year to immerse yourself in great chamber music all day, to build your skills and ability to learn, all in an environment that supports this learning and joy in an informal, positive, friendly way. That is what the San Diego Chamber Music Workshop is.
Ever since the workshop opened in 1978, it has had a reputation for friendly intensity. Every year, when we arrive back at the workshop and see our old friends, it's like no time has passed and we pick up where we left off. Then we dive right in to playing music, with positive, productive coaching while the sun shines, and sight reading until the wee hours after the sun goes down.
We do it for joy, love, and friendship.
Please read this entire site to learn more about how you can take a leap forward in your musical and personal growth by joining our community.
The workshop is held annually, usually the last week of July, at Scripps College in Claremont, California, located 30 miles east of Los Angeles. Claremont is a small picturesque town nestled at the foot of the San Bernardino Mountains. Scripps College has air-conditioned buildings with comfortable housing and playing rooms. The campus is charming and quiet.
The workshop is intended for musicians interested in self-improvement and seeking an intensive, structured program. Key words at this workshop are "commitment" and "preparation" rather than "average" and "recreation". Our previous workshops have earned us the reputation for excellent coaching. Participation is limited to experienced adult string chamber musicians as well as pianists and winds of high caliber. University majors as well as high school students with advanced instrumental training are encouraged to apply.
Each day small assigned groups will read and work on designated pieces and receive coaching for five hours. In mid-afternoon, all groups will gather in small clusters for playing, coaching, and discussion of the day's assignment. Pre-assignments for Monday will be made at the time of your acceptance. Groups that are performing together may come as a unit and select their musical program for the week. Notification of acceptances begins April 15th.
The week's activities will include conducted group readings of difficult literature, a chamber orchestra with workshop participants as soloists, faculty lectures and performances, special guest presentations, and playing opportunities with the faculty. Ample spare time will be available in the evenings for musical freelancing.
The workshop begins Sunday afternoon with registration and an orientation meeting. The evening will feature a special concert by the ensemble-in-residence. The traditional reception and get-acquainted party will follow.
We will begin accepting applications for the 2012 workshop in early 2012; please check back in January for the online form. After you apply, we will be in touch with you to confirm your place in the workshop, and to provide you with information on how to pay your tuition and room and board.
