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Play Week Chamber Music
Our 36th Season of Workshops for Adult Musicians
We are delighted to return to beautiful Washington College in historic Chestertown, Maryland.
On Maryland's Eastern Shore, only a few hours drive from Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Philadelphia,
this 120-acre rural campus houses state-of-the-art facilities, including modern dormitories and a beautiful, acoustically excellent concert hall.
Each participant is assigned to two groups for the week. This week-long format provides a total of ten chamber music ensemble coachings by our faculty, all experienced, first-rate players and consummate teachers. Opportunities are available throughout the week for special-topic sessions, large ensemble gatherings, and participant and faculty concerts.
The workshop begins Sunday afternoon and runs through early the following Sunday morning.
APPLICATION PROCESS for 2024 Only
Applications will be available (on-line only) beginning March 1.
Because we are offering only one week of workshops this year, we may not be able to accommodate everyone who applies. We will follow this general approach:
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You are encouraged to apply during the initial March 1 to March 15 window. (After March 15, applications will continue to be available if any slots remain, and until all slots are full.)
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Pre-formed quartets and quintets are also encouraged (pre-formed for morning only; afternoon groups will be assigned), although individual applicants and partially pre-formed groups may apply and will be accepted as space permits.
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ALL applicants will be placed temporarily on a hold list until first-round acceptances are sent (around March 22, 2024).
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Recent past attendees of Play Week will be given priority, and ALL members of pre-formed groups should be recent past attendees.
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Pianists: Please contact us before applying (email playweekchambermusic@gmail.com) since piano slots are limited to four.
We apologize for having to place this restriction on applications this year, but since we are offering only one workshop this summer, available slots are limited. We look forward to opening the workshop to new players in 2025 and beyond. Thank you for your understanding.
Accommodations
Lodging will be in single bedrooms within three- or four-bedroom suites in Chester Hall OR in Western Shore Apartments. Chester is a three-floor, air-conditioned elevator building with a shared lounge and kitchenette on each floor; each suite has its own shared bathroom, and some suites also include a shared living room. Western Shore buildings each have two downstairs and two upstairs apartments, each apartment complete with four single bedrooms, shared living room and kitchen, and two shared bathrooms (two people per bathroom). Ensembles will meet in the living rooms of the suites, in common-room lounges, or at the nearby Gibson Center.
Dining
Meals at Hodson Dining Hall focus on locally sourced ingredients, a benefit of the college’s proximity to the surrounding farmland. The Executive Chef offers a variety of food options to accommodate all needs, from healthy, traditional fare to vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free. Outdoor seating is available and encouraged.
Facilities
Concerts for participants and faculty will take place in Hotchkiss Recital Hall at the Gibson Center for the Arts. The hall has excellent acoustics and a fine grand piano. Three additional pianos are available for our use elsewhere in Gibson.
Walking & Accessibility
All campus facilities designated for our use are within a 10- to 15-minute walk. All participants need to be able to go from dorms to dining to the arts center without assistance, multiple times per day--and do so with instrument, stand, and music for some activities. Driving is possible between the dorms and the music center (Gibson), but parking is not available directly adjacent to the Dining Hall.
Participants should also be prepared to load/unload their luggage and week's belongings into assigned dorm rooms without assistance; for some, this may involve stairs.
Dorm or playing group assignments may also be in rooms involving stairs for access. Please be sure to indicate any special needs in this regard on your application. We will do our best to accommodate those needs, but not all lodging and playing rooms are first floor or elevator accessible.
Play Week Maryland Coaches 2024
(subject to change & additional faculty may be added at a later date)
Fees for 2024
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Tuition, room, and meals: $1,950
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Tuition for commuters: $1,450***
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Room and board for guest/spouse: $1,050
Applications will be available starting March 1, 2024. ALL applicants will be placed temporarily on a hold list until initial acceptances are sent (around March 22). See above for important notes on the application process. After March 22, applications will continue until April 30, 2024, or until all slots are full.
A deposit of $200 is due at the time of application. This deposit will be applied to your total balance due upon acceptance to the program. If our workshops are full or if we do not have an appropriate match for you this year, your deposit will be returned to you in full. Final payments are due before assignments are made.
***We recommend staying on campus if possible, which will provide you with the fullest workshop experience. Commuting is also not recommended for anyone living outside the immediate environs of campus. Commuter applications will be reviewed on a case-to-case basis.
Refund Policy
If you need to withdraw or cannot attend for any reason, refunds may be issued through April 30, 2024, minus an application fee of $50. Between April 30 and June 15, 2024, partial refunds may be issued on a case-to-case basis, depending on individual circumstances and date of withdrawal. After June 15, 2024, no refunds will be issued for any reason. PLEASE consider purchasing travel insurance to cover your full tuition and travel expenses.
*If you are interested in applying after the cut-off date or joining a wait list, please email playweekchambermusic@gmail.com.
Scholarships
Some scholarship funds are available, based on financial need; please contact us at playweekchambermusic@gmail.com for more information.
*Bed linens and towels can be reserved for an additional fee.