Elective Classes
Elective classes are open to students in the Suzuki program, Chamber Music Institute, adult students, as well as non-enrolled siblings, parents, or any other member of your group. Classes meet for 50 minutes on Monday through Thursday.
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Fiddling
Students learn traditional tunes by ear from the American, Celtic, and Scandinavian fiddle traditions. Classes are grouped according to playing level, including an advanced teen class.
Open to violinists & violists playing Suzuki book one Allegro and up.
Folk Dancing
Participants have fun learning traditional square and contra dances in preparation for the Thursday evening dance.
Open to all ages and no experience needed-children under 6 should have an adult caregiver with them.
Improvisation I
Participants make music in a spirit of “There’s no such thing as a mistake!” They create melodies, play musical games, answer musical questions with notes, create their own rhythms, drones and bass lines and play in parts.
Open to any instrument-must be able to play a D Major Scale one octave.
Improvisation II
Building on musical skills from Improvisation Class I, we create rhythms, bass lines and layers of music in simultaneous parts. We improvise music in a number of major and minor keys, Greek modes, different musical genres, and create our own string quartets, and we combine reading with improvisation from the Off the Page collection.
Open to students who are at least intermediate players on their instrument and have taken Improvisation I.
Guitar Improvisation
Guitarists improvise chord progressions, learn to back-up folk and jazz standards.
Open to guitarists book 3 and up or equivalent (steel string or nylon string guitar).
Celtic Cello
Learn traditional tunes from the British Isles by ear with the skills of basic harmonizing, developing rhythmic grooves, and improvisation of ornaments, with leadership roles and mentoring for more experienced players.
Open to cellists book 2 and up.
Early Childhood Music & Movement
Singing, movement activities, finger plays, and numerous percussion instruments that captivate young children's imagination and teach them beginning musical skills.
Open to ages 1-5 with an adult caregiver.
Beginning Adult Violin
A great elective for parents with children beginning the violin, or anyone who has always wanted to try the violin.
Open to adults or teens who have never played or are at a beginning level-please provide your own violin.
Beginning Guitar
Learn basic guitar chords and simple beginning songs and accompaniments.
Open to ages 6 through adult– please provide your own nylon string guitar.
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Chamber Music (additional fee)
Students are coached in small ensembles of 3-5 students, with the focus being the development of ensemble skills for students one on a part. Music is emailed in advance of camp for students to learn.
Open to violin & guitar students book 4 and up, cello & viola students book 3 and up. Other instruments may be able to be accommodated, please inquire.
Adult Masterclass (additional fee)
This elective is for adults who are not doing the Suzuki camp or Chamber Institute, but would like lessons in a masterclass setting.
Open to violinists, violists, cellists, and guitarists.
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