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Play Week Chamber Music
Our 36th Season of Workshops for Adult Musicians
A Week of Joyous Music-Making
Play Week Chamber Music provides adult musicians the opportunity to expand their musical horizons through a week of concentrated ensemble playing and outstanding coaching from our faculty.
While our participants come from all walks of life and many locales, they all have in common a deep love of chamber music. Many return year after year to refine their skills, learn new repertoire, collaborate with others, greet old friends and make new ones.
Our program is geared toward players with moderate to excellent abilities and some experience in playing chamber music. And while our program is primarily for string players, we can accept a few good wind players and, at some locations, pianists.
Schedule
The heart of our program is the schedule of twice-daily ensemble sessions, which are each coached for half of their duration.
Players are assigned repertoire for two ensembles. The first group meets in the mornings for the full week and the second meets in the afternoons. This allows for in-depth focus and coaching on the music while offering the opportunity to collaborate with a variety of other musicians.
Late afternoons and evenings offer time for practice, “pick-up” groups, and relaxation. We also offer optional readings of string literature in larger ensembles and special afternoon sessions on technique or open rehearsals of the faculty.
"Play Week is like a well oiled machine, humming along with perfect pitch! There are just too many good things to say about it to fit it into one sentence. The camaraderie, support, enthusiasm, motivation, organization that it exudes while being surrounded by others who share a love for music is a week of sheer bliss!"
Kay Danzico
Play Week East
"At the end of the week I am always a better player."
Barbara Munisteri
Play Week West
“The highlight of my summers: such an interesting and varied mix of people, all sharing an intense desire to make music. Coaching is to the point, yet gentle. A lovely campus—even the campus food is terrific! What fun! Thanks!”
Darci Wolcott
Play Week Virginia
Groups, Repertoire, and Assignments
Assignments are made at least four weeks prior to the start of the workshop in order to give players time to prepare. We make every effort to match players of similar ability and to assign appropriate repertoire based on the information provided via self-evaluation forms. This repertoire ranges from the classical through the romantic and contemporary, accommodating special requests whenever possible. Participants have the opportunity to share their work with colleagues in performance once or twice during the week.
Faculty and Coaching
Play Week boasts a first-class faculty of consummate chamber players. Collectively, they have studied with great masters, played with celebrated ensembles on several continents, and won many prizes and accolades.
As teachers, they are dedicated to sharing their knowledge and insights in a constructive and supportive manner to help you to achieve your musical goals. You will hear them collaborate in the faculty concert during the latter part of the week, and if you wish, you may arrange a private lesson or two for an additional fee.
Each session is coached for half of its duration. By the workshop’s end, you will have had a total of ten coached sessions.
An evening session of large ensemble/"multiples" playing
A Faculty Open Rehearsal as an afternoon special session