Before you start combing through the string courses listed in our guide, take a look at these suggestions to help find the course that’s right for you
VIOLIN
SOMMERMUSIK IM OBEREN NAGOLDTAL: MASTERCLASS WITH VADIM GLUZMAN Germany
Following on from the Sommermusik im Oberen Nagoldtal – eleven days full of masterclasses, orchestra, and chamber music for children and professionals alike – will be six days of masterclasses exclusively for violinists. Up to 20 students between the age of 14 and 27 will have the opportunity to be coached on their solo performance by Israeli violinist Vadim Gluzman, while residing in the beautiful northern region of the Black Forest.
DONEGAL FIDDLE SUMMER SCHOOL Ireland
Violinists of all levels from the ages of 5 to 100 may join the Donegal Fiddle Summer School in the picturesque village of Glencolmcille for four days of fiddle music, learning from 17 different tutors. The course seeks to strengthen standards of fiddle playing, as well as encouraging participation in the Donegal styles and repertoire.
PERLMAN MUSIC PROGRAM SUMMER MUSIC SCHOOL New York, US
The Perlman Music Program’s Summer Music School is aimed at gifted young violinists, violists and cellists between the ages of 12 and 18. Approximately 30 musicians will engage in seven weeks of solo, chamber music and orchestral repertoire, taught by an illustrious faculty led by Itzhak Perlman. Accepted students become part of the Perlman Music Program for life, and financial help is readily available.
VIOLA
WEIMAR MASTER CLASSES: VIOLA WEEK Germany
Organised by the Franz Liszt University of Music Weimar, a small group of violists between the ages of 18 and 33 will have the chance to participate in the Viola Week Master Classes with German violist Nils Mönkemeyer. Participants will receive at least three hours of lessons, with an accompanist provided for relevant masterclasses, and free admission to Mönkemeyer’s concerts.
EASTMAN VIOLA INSTITUTE New York, US
The Eastman Viola Institute for advanced and professional players will feature six intensive days of masterclasses, group lessons, private lessons and voice and movement classes. The course aims to help participants develop their musical voices, to learn healthy strategies for honing their skills, and to gain insight and confidence in their expression and mastery of the instrument.
CELLO
KRONBERG ACADEMY: CELLO MASTERCLASSES AND CONCERTS Germany
The Kronberg Academy Cello Masterclasses occur biennially, transforming Kronberg into what Mstislav Rostropovich once called the ‘world capital of the cello’. The faculty will comprise five renowned cellists from different schools, offering a variety of artistic and educational approaches. In addition to public masterclasses, there will be concerts, lectures, workshops, and presentations all related to the cello as part of the Kronberg Festival.
OXFORD CELLO SCHOOL ADULT ADVANCED COURSE UK
The Oxford Cello School Adult Advanced Course is designed for cellists who wish to improve their playing in a friendly, engaging environment over the course of eight days. Participants will receive three individual lessons, as well as two rehearsals with a pianist, daily ensemble sessions in the form of both orchestral and chamber music, as well as workshops on improvisation, solo performance, conducting, repertoire and Alexander Technique.
ARIA INTERNATIONAL SUMMER ACADEMY Massachusetts, US
The Aria International Summer Academy is open to both cellists and violinists between the ages of 16 and 28 and is divided into two two-week sessions. During each session, participants will receive eight individual lessons or themed public masterclasses from every teacher on their instrument’s faculty and will have the chance to discuss strategies for competitions, auditions and practice in the ‘Talk to the Pros’ class.
DOUBLE BASS
ALTSCHULER SUMMER MUSIC INSTITUTE Italy
The Altschuler Summer Music Institute invites double bassists of all levels for two weeks in the seaside city of Rimini. Participants, who also include violinists, violists and cellists, will be coached in orchestra, chamber music, masterclasses and individual lessons. By playing side by side with faculty members, the programme aims to teach participants through high-level demonstrations, and to prepare young talent for a professional future.
SUMMER MUSIC ACADEMY SINAIA DINU LIPATTI Romania
The Summer Music Academy Sinaia Dinu Lipatti takes place over eleven days in the magical town of Sinaia, and is currently open to double bassists, violinists and flautists. Players between the ages of 10 and 35 will receive five individual lessons, coaching in chamber music, and access to all concerts and sessions. It is designed for each player to advance at their own pace, with personalised development for interpretation and technique.
CHAMBER
THY CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL Denmark
Violinists, violists, and cellists are invited to the rugged coastal landscape of Thy for the Thy Chamber Music Festival. Participants will practise and perform alongside the professors as well as in mixed groups with each other. They will also perform in at least four concerts. Players can experiment with improvisation and group composition, and will have the opportunity to perform these newly created works in concert.
ISSIGEAC INTERNATIONAL MUSIC ACADEMY France
The Issigeac International Music Academy lies nestled in the medieval village of Issigeac and will be hosting a strings course designed for amateur players to receive teaching by world-class performers. Beyond learning string technique, the programme aims to give players insight into the life of a performer. The teaching quartet for 2024 will be the Dante Quartet, who will perform two concerts and provide both individual tuition and masterclasses to participants.
ORCHESTRA
PACIFIC MUSIC FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA ACADEMY Japan
Founded by Leonard Bernstein in 1990, the Pacific Music Festival takes annually in Sapporo and is open to advanced players between the ages of 18 and 29. In addition to playing in the orchestra, participants will also receive coaching in chamber music, masterclasses, and access to concerts. The programme is free for successful applicants and takes place over the course of July.
TOPPENKURSET – INTERNATIONAL SUMMER ACADEMY AND FESTIVAL OF MUSIC Norway
The Toppenkurset International Summer Academy and Festival of Music takes place at the beginning of July and is open to musicians between the ages of 8 and 25. It hosts three ensembles: the junior strings orchestra, the youth strings orchestra, and a full symphony orchestra for the most advanced players. Participants can engage in masterclasses, chamber music, jazz and folk music, and will have admission to all concerts and lectures.
JÄRVI ACADEMY Estonia
The Järvi Academy forms part of the Pärnu Music Festival, which takes place over the course of a week in venues across city. Participants will perform in the Järvi Academy Youth Symphony Orchestra, receiving coaching from renowned conductor Paavo Järvi. The programme also includes string masterclasses, individual lessons, group rehearsals and admission to all concerts.
TEACHING
LSG INTERNATIONAL SUMMER COURSE UK
The London Suzuki Group (LSG) will be hosting their International Summer Course in the quaint village of Bryanston, open to Teacher Observers and Suzuki Teacher Trainees. The teachers’ component of the course typically runs from the 18th until midday on the 23rd, but applications may be made for the full week. As its core value, the LSG believes in providing joy through music-making and enriching the lives of families involved in the learning process.
THE TILL PROJECT – SUMMER SYMPOSIUM New York, US
Teachers are invited to the Till Project’s Summer Symposium, available to attend in-person or online, where they will explore the Till Approach. This pedagogy takes its lead from what a student feels in their own mind and body, and may be applied in both individual and group lessons from beginner through to advanced levels. Teaching participants will gain all the knowledge and tools they need to implement the method confidently.
MAKING
ACADEMIA CREMONENSIS – PROFESSIONAL BOW MAKING COURSE Italy
Based at the very birthplace of the violin, the Academia Cremonensis offers a part-time two-year course in bow making. Most lesson hours will be spent working one-to-one with the student at their workbench, as well as in collective theoretical lectures, and independence is encouraged by having students develop their own tools. While no prior experience is necessary, applicants must demonstrate constancy and determination to be considered forthe course.
BELE BASQUE SCHOOL OF VIOLIN MAKING – SET-UP AND SOUND ADJUSTMENT FOR CELLOS Spain
Luthiers are invited to the Spanish city of Bilbao for the Bele Basque School of Violin Making course on set-up and sound adjustment for cellos. Led by respected luthier Robin Aitchison, this three-day intensive course will feature an in-depth discussion and demonstration of sound adjustment techniques, and explore the set-up of the bass-bar, neck, fingerboard, bridge, soundpost, tailpiece, endpin and strings on the cello. (page 46)
CAMBRIDGE VIOLIN MAKERS: WEEK-LONG SUMMER COURSES FOR AMATEURS UK
The Cambridge Violin Makers invite budding luthiers to their week-long summer courses, running from July through August. Participants will receive individual and group tuition, with discussions and lectures throughout the week. Every student will complete a rib structure on a first course, even if making a cello. Although it takes much longer to make a complete instrument, participants can expect to make good progress by the end of the week.
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