2014 Camp Schedule

Quartet Seminar and Fellowship Program

The Quartet Seminar is an independent Summer String Program. It is exclusively focused on coaching, rehearsing, and masterclass. All quartet members will assist and play in the Pro Arte Orchestra. Pre-existing quartets are strongly recommended, however, we will assist to form a quartet group if needed. Only formerly established quartet groups are eligible for fellowship.

The Quartet Seminar offers one full tuition, merit-based Fellowship for one talented pre-existing string quartet. The Fellowship Quartet will assist in chamber music training for the camp and the Pro Arte orchestra.

Budding Program

Is it time for your first string camp?  Experience all the fun and inspiration of AMSDD in a shorter beginner class.  This string camp is for students age 5-8 who have never attending an all day camp before. Students will play in groups, work on performance and note reading. They will also gain exposure to music of different styles through movement. Students must be at least 5 years old and able to play all variations of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star on violin, viola or cello.  10am – 12pm

Improvisation

Never improvised before? Where to go next with your improvisation skills? This year’s improv class will be based on improvising within fiddle tunes. We will learn the melody to a simple tune. Followed by a small lesson in music theory and further in depth study of patterns which work well over certain chords. Learn how to make a tune your own and compose/improvise a break. You will leave this class with enough knowledge to play in band and feeling more connected to your own inner creativity. (Suzuki Book 4 and above)

Fiddle the Blues

If improvising is something new to you or even intimidating, this class is a great place to start. The main focus will be on the 12-bar blues. Not only will students learn to improvise over the blues, but will also learn to accompany others playing a solo or even singing the blues. As there is some theory and tune learning involved, please bring a notebook, writing utensil, and a recorder to this class. (Suzuki Book 1-3)

Playin’ Around with Music Theory

Have you ever heard of the circle of fifths or a Phrygian cadence? Welcome to music theory. This class will discuss and apply basic elements, which create music-meter, scales, key signatures, intervals, and chords.Good sight reading skills will dramatically improve your practice approach, as well as assist your orchestral playing and auditioning. In this class, you will learn the necessary techniques to become a more proficient sight-reader and gain more self-confidence with new music.This class is for students 10 and up, or proficient note readers.

Celtic Jigging

Irish music is a very old tradition of music which has influenced many popular styles of music today, including bluegrass and contest fiddling. This class will focus on learning traditional Irish tunes, including jigs, reels, hornpipes, and slip jigs. Prepare to learn these tunes by ear, so please bring a recorder, notebook, and writing utensil to class. (Suzuki Book 1-3)

Music for the Movies

Create your own soundtrack! This class will watch a movie excerpt and work together to create the accompanying music. This class is for students who have studied basic theory.

Sight Reading

Do you dread sight-reading? Good sight reading skills will dramatically improve your practice approach, as well as assist your orchestral playing and auditioning. In this class, you will learn the necessary techniques to become a more proficient sight-reader and gain more self-confidence with new music. It might even sound like you’ve played it before!

Note Reading

An introductory class for young beginners. Students will learn to recognize note names, time signatures, and musical symbols through academically proven and fun techniques. This class is for students who are in Suzuki Book 3 and below.

History and Appreciation of Classical Music

Get to know the classical masters and their signature styles! This class will cover a basic music history outline as well as music listening. Learning the unique characteristics of each period in which composers lived will create a more personal connection and clarity in your performance. This class is for students of all levels.

Master Classes

This class is a short one-on-one lesson observed by an audience. There are endless benefits to performing in front of peers and watching your peers perform and learn. Please bring a well-prepared solo piece in order to get the most of this class. This class is for students of all levels.

Chamber Ensembles

What combines the thrill of solo playing with the challenge of multi-part collaboration? Chamber music requires detailed ensemble work but allows for each instrument to contribute substantially to the final performance. This is a class for students equivalent to Suzuki Book 2 or above.

Texas Contest Fiddling

Texas style fiddle is a rich musical and cultural tradition rooted in reels, hornpipes, waltzes, rags, polkas and western swing. Besides staying up for hours jamming tune after tune, fiddle contests have become quite a common activity. This class will focus on playing a contest round with Texas style bowings and the traditional rhythmic feel. Students will learn a breakdown, a waltz and a tune of choice. All three tunes which you need for a contest round. The class will be taught by ear. Be prepared to have fun! Bring a recorder. (Suzuki Book 4 and above)

Irish Fiddle

Irish tunes are generally quite simple, and are a great way to start playing fiddle music. In this class, many easy tunes will be learned, as well as instruction on the ornamentation of the style.

Alternative Styles String Ensemble

This class will take on a tour of Klezmer, celtic, American fiddle and other fun, engaging fiddle tunes to play together. Perhaps Latin, perhaps Gypsy, you never know what fun surprises will pop up in this course. This performing group is always a hit for the audience. Spicing up the end of each day with various diversity of genres.

Jam Session

Bring your fiddle, guitar, mandolin etc. Let’s learn how to jam together. Students who sign up for this course will receive some tunes to learn in advance. We will also learn a few tunes by ear. The goal of this class is to play music together. Parents and siblings are welcome to attend the last class, which is a potluck jam session. Bring a recorder.

Orchestral Excerpts

Are you auditioning for an orchestra in the fall? Are you working to make All State Orchestra this year? This class will help get you prepared, from the different techniques to focus on, to building the mental skills to perform well in an audition setting.

Gypsy Jazz & Improvisation

The foundation of all improvisation is the blues. Within the Gypsy context, we will learn a minor blues melody. From there, we will discuss theory of improvisation, scales and chords. We will work on how to bow jazz rhythms. After learning the theory, we will use it all. Students will learn how to create and improv their own melodies within the structure of a Gypsy jazz tune. (Suzuki Book 3 and above)

String Orchestras – Sinfonia, and Pro Arte

Sinfonia & Pro Arte: Bring your experience and ensemble knowledge to the orchestral table and get excited to perform orchestral works at AMSDD’s highest level.  Orchestral placement will be determined by the AMSDD faculty.  The Pro Arte is a conductor-less chamber orchestra that will challenge all advanced students to push their technical and artistic level to their limits.