July 28 to August 2, 2008

 

Workshop for adult amateur string players in its fourth season
Sponsored by the Students for Seniors Symphonies

On the campus of Monmouth University,
West Long Branch, New Jersey

 

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Simon String Quartet

Join the Simon String Quartet, harpsichordist Rebecca Pechefsky, and cellist Joseph Kimura for a week of joyous music making.

Summer String-In offers an opportunity to expand your playing through expert coaching as you explore great chamber works by the masters.  For our fourth season, we return to the beautiful campus of Monmouth University, only one mile from the northern New Jersey shore. We will again have use of elegant Wilson Auditorium, within the grand 130-room mansion that is a National Historic Landmark and a world-famous architectural treasure. Click here to view images of this and other parts of Monmouth University.

ENSEMBLES: Each participant is assigned to two chamber ensembles for the week, ranging in size from trio to octet.  The first meets every morning, and the second meets in the afternoons.  Coaches are present to offer guidance for at least half of each session.  Participants are notified of assignments three to four weeks in advance.  We make every effort to match players into compatible groups and we choose repertoire carefully according to skill levels.  While most repertoire is chosen from the standard chamber music literature, the works chosen may be from the Baroque period through the 20th century.  Pre-formed groups are welcome.  We honor repertoire requests whenever possible. 

DEMONSTRATIONS: The Simon Quartet will lead three chamber music demos on a variety of repertoire, followed by open question and answer sessions covering topics related to ensemble playing, including rehearsal techniques, stylistic interpretation, and developing ensemble unity. 

LARGE ENSEMBLE READINGS: These will take place on two evenings, and will include works for string orchestra, works from the concerto grosso repertoire, and works for string quartet read with more than one person to a part.  If prepared in advance, a few participants may be given the opportunity to read through a concerto movement of their choice.

MASTER CLASS: There will be one session in which violinists, violists and cellists will congregate separately with a faculty member to discuss and explore issues related to the playing of their respective instruments.

PARTICIPANTS’ CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT: Share your week’s accomplishments with your friends and family on Saturday afternoon!

NOTE TO CELLISTS: Our program tends to attract a disproportionate number of cellists!  In order to accommodate this and to avoid turning people away, this year we will offer an option to enroll in a separate but concurrent program led by the cello faculty, highlighting works for multiple cellos.

CONCERTS: There will be three faculty concerts during the week. The first features the Simon String Quartet in works by Janáček and Schubert.  Cellist Joseph Kimura and pianist Laura Dubois join them for the second in works by Schoenberg and Dohnányi.  The third will be a concert of Baroque masterworks in collaboration with harpsichordist Rebecca Pechefsky.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Housing is in single rooms within air-conditioned four- or six-bedroom suites, each with a bathroom and living area. Meals will be provided by Monmouth University's Aramark Food Services.

REGISTRATION: The 2008 Summer String-In  starts on Monday afternoon, July 28 and ends on Saturday afternoon, August 2. The application deadline is June 25. Click here for an application form.

CONTACT:  David Bakamjian, Director       Phone: 718-482-9283         Email: dbak@rcn.com