Concord Conservatory of MusicConcord Conservatory of MusicJuly 15 – 19, 2024
Sharing the ethos of CCM’s West Side Strings Program, the Summer Strings Experience creates a safe and personalized learning environment, where students are placed in one of 5 groups to strengthen their ensemble skills and overall musicianship through singing, music and movement, and playing by ear workshops. Each day also allots time for social interaction and activities during the midday lunch break. All group classes and ensembles will perform in their respective concerts on Friday afternoon.
Half day 9:00 – 12:00 pm for ages 5-7 (violin and cello students with no prior experience)
Required parent attendance, $350
(Students who plan to enroll in the Summer Strings Half day program need not submit a video.)
Full day 9:00 am – 3:00 pm for ages 7-14, $650
Signup and register by May 10th.
Application Instructions for Summer Strings Experience
Please submit all materials by the May 10th deadline.
All full-day applicants need to submit a placement audition video. Audition videos ensure students are placed in the group that is most appropriate for their level and age.
*Current CCM students who have studied their instrument for less than 2 years should consult their private teachers for a level recommendation in lieu of an audition video.
Half Day Sample Schedule:
9:00-9:35 am – Violin and Cello Foundations 1
10 min break
9:45-10:20 am – The Art of Expressive Movement
20 min snack break
10:40-11:15 am – Violin and Cello Foundations 2
10 min break
11:25-12:00 pm – Sensational Summer Singing
12:00 pm – dismissal
Full Day Sample Schedule:
9:00-9:30 am – Morning Gathering
9:30-10:15 am – Session 1: Developing Your Strings Technique
10:15-10:30 am – snack
10:30-11:15 am – Session 2: Sensational Summer Singing
11:15-11:20 am – 5 min room changeover
11:20-12:10 pm – Session 3: The Art of Expressive Movement
12:10-12:45 pm – lunch
12:45-2:00 pm – Outdoor Activities
2:00-2:45 pm – Session 4: Ensemble Session
2:45-3:00 pm – Student pickup
Sensational Summer Singing
Teachers and conductors often say, ‘if you can sing it, you can play it’. In our daily sessions, our students reap the benefits of making music away from our instruments. Singing is also known to boost confidence and improve listening, and students will be able to focus on their voice, breathing, expressivity, and discover the joy of singing together. No prior singing experience necessary.
The Art of Expressive Movement
Music and Movement is a movement-based music class introducing concepts like rhythm, melody, and harmony in a social and imaginative way. Students embody music joyfully through creative games, improvisation, and expression. Musical subjects are explored and taught at an age-appropriate level, depending on the age and experience of each class cohort. This class is focused not only on creating vivid musical foundations but also supports students’ emotional, intellectual, and physical development. (Offered daily to Pine, Riverside, and Highland groups)
Joy of Fiddling & More
Exploring the joy of fiddling and Suzuki traditions, our students focus on developing ear training skills by learning fiddle tunes by ear, with sheet music provided at the end of the session. This workshop aims to enhance our students’ musical abilities, specifically in ear training, fostering increased confidence in collaborative playing. (Offered daily to Shirley and Derby groups)
Developing Your Strings Technique
In these technique sessions, students develop their technical skills such as posture, left-hand fluency and efficiency, right-hand and arm actions, tonal development, shifting, vibrato, and double stops, depending on the students’ levels and past experiences, in a supportive and intimate group setting.
Ensemble Sessions
Ensemble sessions allow our students to foster the ability to work and collaborate with others as well as to build social skills, including verbal and non-verbal communication. Students not only hone an awareness of blend and balance in terms of intonations, styles, phrasing, and character, but are also introduced to how to work towards a common goal with others based on connection and trust. Students will receive an opportunity to perform a work selected based on pedagogical importance with special emphasis on the development of chamber music performance skills.