Strings - Quartet Camp

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Calvin College String Summit

String Summit - Final Recital The second annual String Summit opened with an orientation and a recital by the Perugino String Quartet. The one-week camp provides opportunities for advanced high school and college string students in the west Michigan area to refine repertoire learned over the summer and to prepare for the new school year. The CSS includes a string orchestra as well as orchestra audition Master Classes; string quartet coachings as well as quartet Master Classes; and lessons in addition to solo Master Classes. There is also a track for bass players to spend a significant amount of time being mentored by the guest faculty. If you have any questions or you would like more information, contact Dr. David Reimer.

Who is on the faculty?

Violin

The 2008 faculty included soloists James Buswell and Dylana Jenson, orchestral violinist Elisabeth Adkins (Assistant Concertmaster of the National Symphony), quartet violinist Annie Fullard (Cavani String Quartet), and Calvin College Professor David Reimer. The 2009 roster is currently being formed.

Elisabeth Adkins - Assistant Concertmaster of the National Symphony
Blair Milton - Chicago Symphony, faculty at Northwestern University
Mihai Craioveanu - Soloist, faculty at Hope College
David Reimer - Grand Rapids Symphony, faculty at Calvin College

Viola

Oberlin faculty Peter Slowik, Vermeer Quartet violist Peter Young, and Grand Rapids Symphony Principal LLeslie Van Becker formed the 2008 CSS viola faculty.

Yuri Gandelsman - Faculty at Michigan State University, former member of the Israel Philharmonic and the Fine Arts Quartet
Stanley Konopka - Faculty at the Cleveland Institute of Music; Assistant Principal of the Cleveland Orchestra
Leslie Van Becker - Principal Violist of the Grand Rapids Symphony, faculty at Calvin College

Cello

Karen Krummel - Grand Rapids Symphony, faculty at Calvin College
Alan Harrell - Member of the Cleveland Orchestra, faculty at Cleveland State University
Bruce Uchimura - Member of the Merling Trio, faculty at Western Michigan University

Bass

Joseph Conyers - Former Principal Bass of the Grand Rapids Symphony, current member of the Atlanta Symphony

Conductor

Robert Nordling - Music Director of the Calvin College and Calvin Alumni Orchestras

What is the schedule?

Sunday, August 23, 2009
2:00 Rehearsal space available for participating student quartets

6:30 Orientation in the Gezon Theater
7:30 Perugino String Quartet in Recital (Calvin Chapel)

Monday, August 24
9:00-4:00 Practice/Quartet Rehearsals/Lessons

12:00 Optional: Faith & Music Conversation with Robert Nordling
4:15-5:30 String Orchestra Rehearsal, Robert Nordling, conducting
5:30-6:30 Dinner
6:30-8:00 Master Classes: Violins with Blair Milton (Gezon Theater), Violas with Stanley Konopka (Spoelhof Center 150), Cellos with Alan Harrell (Calvin Chapel) and Basses with Joseph Conyers (Chapel Undercroft)

Tuesday, August 25
9:00-2:30 Practice/Quartet Rehearsals/Coachings

12:00 Optional: Faith & Music Conversation

2:30-4:00 Music Chat: Discussing issues of practice, performance, time management, etc.
4:15-5:30 String Orchestra Rehearsal
5:30-6:30 Dinner
6:30-8:00 Quartet Master Class: with members of the Perugino String Quartet

Wednesday, August 26
9:00-4:00 Practice/Quartet Rehearsals/Lessons

12:00 Optional: Faith & Music Conversation with David Fuentes
4:15-5:30 String Orchestra Rehearsal
5:30-6:30 Dinner

6:30-9:00 Quartet Master Class: Elisabeth Adkins

Thursday, August 27
9:00-4:00 Practice/Quartet Rehearsals/Coachings

12:00 Optional: Faith & Music Conversation with Joy Freschly, Bible Study director for Christian Performing Artist's Fellowship
4:15-5:30 String Orchestra Rehearsal
5:30-6:30 Dinner

6:30-8:00 Quartet Master Class: TBA

Friday, August 28
9:00-11:30 Practice/Quartet Rehearsals/Lessons/Coachings
12:00-1:30 Quartet and String Orchestra Performances

Bass Schedule
Sunday and Friday, same as above

Monday-Thursday

10:30-12:00 Studio Class

12:00-1:00 Optional: Faith & Music Conversation
1:00-2:00 Bass Ensemble rehearsal
2:00-4:00 Private lessons

4:15-5:30 String Orchestra Rehearsal

6:30-8:00 Master Classes: see above

Why should I consider this?

Quartet Coaching Many students are not able to participate in the longer summer camp opportunities to hone their skills and enjoy the comraderie of friends making music - this camp provides those opportunities in a more compact time frame. When was the last time many college students played music together with old friends from Youth Orchestra? This camp provides a chance to re-connect with old friends and make new ones from the area around the playing of music. Some students have succeeded at every opportunity they have faced - at this camp they may find a refreshing challenge from others who have accomplished as much or more, as well as a distinguished faculty of national reputation. Some have a teacher expecting to hear that concerto at their first lesson of the new school year or have an important seating audition coming up - this camp provides the feedback and performance opportunities to be prepared for the first week of school.

Calvin College is a Christian school - is this camp only for Christians?

No, it is for advanced string players of any belief. The intent of the camp is to help students refine their musicianship and enjoy the opportunity of playing great music together. There will be an optional daily time for students who wish to talk about issues related to Christian faith and classical music. These sessions will include some profound Christian musicians who will share their thoughts and experiences.

More Information

Further details will be added to this webpage as they become available. The cost of the program is $250 per student. If students are not from the Grand Rapids area, housing may be arranged. Students are expected to purchase their own meals; meals may be bought on campus. For anyone who is interested in attending this camp or in providing financial support for it, contact Dr. David Reimer (drr2@calvin.edu).