Summer
Families must schedule at least 4 lessons each summer to maintain their enrollment in the studio. Students who do not enroll in summer lessons will need to pay a non-refundable deposit of four lessons in June to reserve their spot for the coming year. This deposit will be credited toward fall tuition.
During the summer, all families are expected to enroll in at least one musical camp. The best choices in the local area are Austin Chamber Music Center (ages 6+), Texas Strings Camp (ages 6+), Texas State Strings Camp (ages 10+ in San Marcos), and Songbird Rising (ages 6-9).
Summer lesson program
The suggested program for intermediate and advanced students is 3 weeks of twice-weekly lessons. This intensive study allows the student to make significant progress during the summer, while still enjoying a true vacation. Suggested practice time is as follows:
Books 3-4: 2 hours / day
Books 5+: 3 hours / day
Practicing can be done in blocks — e.g. two hours in the morning, and one in the evening. A sample daily schedule for a Book 4 student might be as follows:
◊1: Scales, rhythm, Wohlfahrt (2 studies)
◊2: Mazas (1-2 studies), Geringas (shifting), first repertoire piece
◊3: Trott (double stops), second repertoire piece
For students seeking to significantly raise their technique I would advise following the twice-weekly programme for 5-6 weeks. This is also useful when remedial work is needed.
Summer camps
Advanced middle- and high-school students should prioritize attending a national camp which offers world-renowned faculty and a pre-professional level of training. Below are some of the many excellent camps available. Dates and deadlines are approximate (these vary by year). The name of each camp below is linked to their website.
Kinhaven Music School
Junior Division (grades 4-7): mid-August
Senior Division (grades 8-12): late June – early August
Beautiful green campus in Vermont, near the quaint town of Westport. Orchestra, chamber and solo. Similar to Tanglewood or Interlochen, but with more of a family atmosphere. Very high level of playing. Inclusive, supportive philosophy with many unique elements.
Luzerne Music Center
Mid-June and July
Balance of orchestra & chamber music. Faculty includes members of the Philadelphia Philharmonic Orchestra. Lakeside campus in upstate New York, north of Albany
Eastern Music Festival
Mid-June through July
Deadline: mid-February
Orchestra program with chamber music, master classes, and private lessons, located in Greensboro, North Carolina.
More competitive programs
Interlochen
Deadline: February 1
Chamber intensive (“advanced strings”) is VERY selective (8 students admitted.)
Intermediate Orchestra / High school orchestra
Beautiful rural lake-side campus in northern Michigan. Larger program with many fine arts besides music
Admission is only moderately competitive, but merit scholarships are more competitive. Need-based scholarships are available.
Tanglewood (affiliated with Boston University)
Deadline: late January
Junior division: ages 10-13, late June / early July
Young artists orchestra: ages 14-19, July & early August
Beautiful wooded campus in western Massachussetts. Orchestra, chamber and solo. Larger camp with an extremely high level of playing, excellent faculty
Very competitive admission
Marrowstone Music Festival (with Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra)
Late July / early August
Deadline: mid-March
Ages 14-18
Small, pretty college campus in Bellingham, Washington, overlooking Puget Sound. Outstanding orchestra but less competitive than Tanglewood
Includes chamber music
Meadowmount
Deadline: late January
Ages 13-17
Beautiful rural campus in upstate New York. Moderately small (200 students), camp focused on chamber music & solo
String players & piano only (no full orchestra)
Very high caliber teachers, most players are very advanced
Stringwood
Deadline: no deadline, but early application recommended
Late June
Ages 12-19
Forested campus in southeastern Minnesota, southeast of Minneapolis. Intensive chamber music only – no orchestra. Faculty is the presigious Artaria Quartet
Very small and intensive (50 students), very competitive admission
Encore Chamber Music
Deadline: February 15 (for scholarship)
Summer Academy, July 2-22 (3 weeks, ages 11-23)
At the Gilmour Academy, a small and beautiful campus east of Cleveland. Focus on solo playing; daily private lesson & technique classes. Also movement & chamber orchestra.
Mid June – early July
Chamber program with private lessons, for advanced high school and college students.