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Music

5 Years Of Violin Bootcamp From The Directors’ Point Of View

This summer’s Violin Bootcamp, August 5-19 & 12-16, is now in its fifth year at Mason, providing committed intermediate and advanced violinists (and now violists!) ages 10-18 the opportunity to develop their technique, strengthen their fundamentals, and elevate their playing to the next level. Bootcamp Directors Claire Allen and Matt Richardson, along with some of the faculty, recently offered their wisdom and insights into the program in a short interview with the Academy.

 

Students at summer violin camp

 

MCAA: What was your goal in creating Violin Bootcamp?

M.Richardson: When I was in middle and high school, I attended a 3-week summer strings camp in North Carolina. That program was a residential program, so we had chamber music and orchestra, but there was also a morning technique class and supervised practice time. Every year, when I would attend that program, I would learn more than I did the rest of the year combined! Now, there are a lot of good chamber and orchestra summer programs in this area, but I have never found a program that gives the other side of that experience which was so invaluable to me. In the Violin/Viola Bootcamp, we sought to recreate, and intensify this individually focused summer experience in a local setting, and the Mason Community Arts Academy is the perfect vehicle for that.

C.Allen: As a student, I vividly remember several experiences where I was sitting in orchestra, struggling to keep up and learn all the notes, and watching the students in the front of the sections who seemed to play so confidently and effortlessly. I practiced a lot, but I never quite got to the level I wanted. Much later, as a Graduate student at Peabody who had to restructure my entire fundamental technique and as a pedagogy student learning how to teach, I learned that the answers were largely structural. Our posture before we even start to hold the instrument can impact the sound. How the instrument is positioned and how the bow is held dramatically affect what the player will be able to do. These questions aren’t just for beginning players – at every level, students can benefit from doing a foundation check to ensure that they are set up properly and see the effects throughout their playing. In Bootcamp, I want to create an environment where students aren’t pressured to learn a crazy amount of notes – I want to help give them answers and solutions to improve their playing skills, and I want to create an environment that allows them to explore and make changes while being supported and encouraged.

 

 

MCAA: What has most surprised you about Violin Bootcamp?

M.Richardson: Honestly, the biggest surprise to me every year is how much the students enjoy the camp! As a professional violinist, I can obviously see the benefits of a week-long camp of intensive violin focus, but there is always a fear that while the camp will be helpful for students, it may not be terrifically enjoyable. But every time, I’m always amazed by how much the students enjoy the program, and how sad they are when it is over. Part of it is definitely the camaraderie that develops when everyone is working hard on similar goals, but it is often my experience that the students really enjoy the amount of progress that they make, and overcoming habits that have sometimes been long-term struggles in their playing.

C.Allen: The biggest surprise is the support from the wider violin community outside of the Academy here in Fairfax. Whenever we tell other teachers about Bootcamp, they love the idea and enthusiastically recommend it to their students. We’ve been very fortunate to have violin professors from several universities come in as guest clinicians, including Dr. Peter Wilson from Mason, Dr. Cora Cooper from KSU, Rebecca Henry from Peabody Preparatory/Gettysburg College, and Susanna Klein from VCU.

 

Teachers and students at summer violin camp

 

MCAA: How has Bootcamp grown and evolved over the years?

M.Richardson: When we first started the Violin Bootcamp 5 years ago, there was a feeling that we had to convince parents, students, and even other teachers of the value of our program. However, over the years, and after having a lot of successful student experiences, there has been a gradual change in expectation. Now, when our students show up for the first day of camp, they know how much they are going to learn and that they are going to have a great experience, and that changes the whole dynamic of our program!

C.Allen: The playing level has gotten higher every year, and the range of activities we can do with the students has therefore expanded as well. We tweak the schedule and classes every year based on feedback from previous participants. This year, we’re combining the fundamentals and scales classes so students can immediately integrate the principles of good posture into playing scales and arpeggios. We’ll also be creating separate tracks so that more advanced teenage students have more individual practice time, and so the younger students have more instructional time with supplemental courses.

 

Teachers at summer viola camp

 

MCAA: What is one of your favorite Bootcamp moments?

M.Richardson: I have an easy favorite Bootcamp moment. In the summer of 2017, Claire Allen was working with one of her students on developing a story to accompany the piece he was working on to help him connect to it more emotionally. He came to camp the next day with a two-page typed out story in which I was the main character, which was then very dramatically performed by one of my own students during the lunch break to great applause. And for those who were there, yes, I do still have that rock sitting on my shelf in my studio! [laughs]

C.Allen: One year, one of my new private students, who needed a great deal of technical rehabilitation and whose self-confidence in her playing was extraordinarily low, came to Bootcamp. She soaked up so much in her lessons and classes, practiced diligently, and made more progress in one week than she had in the previous two months of private lessons. At the end of the week, she said with surprised pride, “I didn’t know I could sound this good!”

 

Violin Bootcamp 2019 Flier

 

MCAA: We hear that you and some of the other faculty have some special practice tips for students that are covered – and exercised – at Bootcamp?

C. Allen: Yes! Make changes from the ground up. If the lower half of your body isn’t supporting the rest of you or your spine is compressed, playing your instrument will be harder before you play a single note.

M. Richardson: Some of the topics I cover are – Why do we squeeze? How do we stop squeezing? Why do we play with Straight 4th fingers? What is a Habit and how do you immediately break them? and Why are all scales secretly really easy?

Hyunji Lee: Regular practice with a mirror is essential to developing proper technique!

Patrick LeStrange: Always practice slowly. If you cannot play something cleanly under tempo, it is not going to happen at a fast speed!

Drew Robertson: Your metronome will never lie to you. If you trust it, you will be friends for life.

Andrew Juola: A healthy practice strategy for learning a new piece involves taking turns playing and singing/imagining the music.

 

With limited spaces available, and a significant number of returning students each year, don’t miss your chance to get in on the action. A short audition video is required to ensure proper placement in the program – see the program webpage for details!

 

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Music

Ovations Summer Strings Fosters Musicianship And Friendship

Ovations Summer Strings Academy, for High School and Middle School rising Grades 7-12, offers a unique blend of string orchestra and chamber ensemble experiences, with an emphasis on musicianship and friendship. Violin, viola, cello, and bass students will enjoy a challenging week of rehearsals, clinics, two performances and so much more, June 23-28, 2019.

Directed by George Mason University Professor Glenn Dewey, the Ovations program takes place in Mason’s School of Music on the Mason Fairfax Campus (in Fairfax, VA, part of the Washington DC Metro area). The university has a strong Strings program, and several Strings faculty members are involved in Ovations, alongside an impressive cast of local string educators/ teaching artists – plus two Guest Conductors, Glenn Quader and J.D. Anderson from American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras.

 

 

We are thrilled to welcome back to Ovations this summer the string duo Bridging the Gap. This exciting duo featuring Peter Wilson on violin and Aaron Clay on double bass perform everything from traditional classical string arrangements to swing, funk, rock and pop. With lauded stage presence and musicianship, this duo is one of the most sought after groups in the metropolitan area.

“Students attending Ovations will develop a new level of confidence as musicians,” explained Professor Dewey. “They will also develop friendships with other student musicians that they will cross paths with for years to come. Most importantly, Ovations participants are instilled with a renewed passion and love for their instrument and music that will continue for a lifetime!”

 

Students in summer strings camp

 

As a special bonus, string repairman and luthier Aaron Reilly will join us from Grand Rapids, Michigan. This is a great opportunity for our students to try out professional quality string instruments and bows, as well as to learn how instruments are made/ maintained. Furthermore, students will be able to have minor repairs and adjustments made to their instrument on site for a small fee.

“Witnessing our young musicians playing chamber music for the first time in their life is incredibly gratifying,” stated Mr. Dewey. “To watch these young artists receive a piece of music for the first time on Monday morning, and on Thursday evening watch them walk out on stage without a conductor in front of them and present a work to a full audience is an amazing experience. To work on a piece of music and develop communication skills, problem-solving skills and be responsible for the success of a performance helps in goal setting and confidence. It is without a doubt the most gratifying experience ever to watch our students grow so substantially in a matter of one week!”

 

Ovations Flier 2019

 

“My favorite memory every year is watching the students high-five and congratulate each other after their chamber music performance,” recalls Mr. Dewey. “Many times these are some of the same musicians that four days earlier did not think they would be able to achieve this goal in such a short amount of time. To see the joy they derive from attaining this goal is priceless.”

Ovations Summer Strings provides the students with an environment to inspire a renewed passion about music, to develop lasting friendships,  and to interact with a teaching artist faculty who are caring, nurturing and passionate about music and string education.

Placement seating auditions will take place on-site on the first day to determine best orchestra and chamber assignments. Specific audition excerpts will be provided in advance.

 

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Music

New Intensive Provides Enhanced Chamber Music Experience

The brand new summer Mason Chamber Music Intensive, July 8-12, 2019, is open to more advanced violin, viola, cello, and piano students ages 13-18. Professor June Huang, Director of Strings at Mason’s School of Music, is calling for dedicated and passionate music students to apply!

Founded by George Mason University Professor June Huang, the Chamber Music Intensive program takes place in Mason’s School of Music on the Mason Fairfax Campus (in Fairfax, VA, part of the Washington DC Metro area). Professor Huang has performed with the National Philharmonic, Harrisburg Symphony, Richmond Symphony, Wolf Trap Orchestra, Washington Ballet Orchestra, and Amadeus Orchestra. She is a frequent chamber music collaborator and has appeared in concerts with the Staunton Music Festival, Red Lodge Music Festival, Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia, and Virginia Virtuosi.

 

June Huang with student

 

Along with rehearsals, daily sightreading sessions, and masterclasses for ensembles and soloists, a special emphasis will be placed on mental and physical health mindedness through daily movement classes with Dr. Kathy Mulcahy.

“Playing chamber music requires the perfect combination of soloistic and ensemble skills developed in private lessons and orchestra,” explained Professor Huang. “Students feel both challenged and rewarded working in small groups with faculty members. They also develop enhanced verbal and musical communication skills.”

 

Gunston Trio

 

A special treat during the week will be a performance by the Gunston Trio (pictured above) and friends. The Gunston Trio members are Mason School of Music Professors June Huang (violin), Gerald Fowkes (cello),and Dr. John Healey (piano).

“Some of my favorite components of the intensive for students to experience are playing chamber music with other serious musicians, getting to know the standard piano/strings chamber music repertoire, and forming lasting musical friendships,” said Professor Huang.

“My experience with chamber music, probably more than anything else in my life, has provided me with fantastic musical opportunities, and has also been the basis of many great friendships over the past few years,” said a former chamber music student of Ms. Huang’s.

 

Summer Chamber Intensive flier 2019 image

 

“Chamber music is integral to a musician’s development and is also very difficult to organize during the school year,” stated Professor Huang. “During this program, students would have direct exposure to university music faculty. Music will be sent out ahead of time to allow for preparation, and all participants will perform in the final concert.”

A successful audition is required to participate in this program. In-person auditions are highly recommended. The in-person audition date is Saturday, April 27, 2019. If you are not available on the audition date, you may submit audition material via YouTube video by June 15th. The selective admissions process is designed to bring together a dedicated group of qualified young musicians who are ready to immerse themselves in a challenging but supportive chamber music experience. If that sounds like you, then sign up today (a small deposit is required) and prepare for the audition!

 

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Music

Percussion Camp Explores Multiple Genres And Styles

High school and upper middle school percussionists, ages 13-18, will have a blast honing their technique, meeting new friends, and taking their musicianship to the next level at Mason Summer Percussion Academy, June 17-21, 2019. Each student will experience percussion genres/ styles that are usually not offered in school, including steel pan ensemble and afro-cuban percussion.

George Mason University Professor Dr. Matt Halligan directs the Percussion Academy, which is part of Mason Summer Music Intensive Week. Located in Mason’s School of Music on the Mason Fairfax campus in Fairfax, VA (in the Washington, DC Metro area), the Summer Music Intensive Week brings aspiring teen musicians from across the region and the country together for instrument-specific clinics, group masterclasses and workshops, social activities, and a robust final student performance in the Center for the Arts concert hall.

 

 

This year, the Percussion Academy will include master classes in rudimental percussion, orchestral percussion, steel pan, afro-cuban percussion, and drum set. Everyone will participate in the final concert on stage in Mason’s Center for the Arts, in addition to the daily master classes.

The students get the opportunity to take advantage of the impressive inventory of percussion instruments housed in the university’s Percussion Studies program.

 

Students performing at summer percussion camp

 

Former Mason Professor and Grammy winner Joe McCarthy will return to the Percussion Academy as a special Guest Artist, presenting Afro-Cuban and drum set master classes, and leading an Afro-Cuban percussion ensemble.

“My favorite part of the Percussion Academy is that young students get a chance to hone their craft while meeting new friends and having fun,” reflected Dr. Halligan. “My favorite memory is watching the students’ faces light up after an awesome end-of-camp concert.”

 

 

Mason Summer Percussion Academy 2019 Flier

 

If you’re ready to gain valuable insight into how to develop proficiency in orchestral percussion and rudimental percussion, and you want to learn percussion techniques from respected professional percussionists, then the Percussion Academy at Mason is for you!

As part of Summer Music Intensive Week, the Mason Summer Percussion Academy also offers a Residential option, including on-campus housing and meals plus special evening activities, for an additional fee.

 

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Music

Summer Workshop Elevates Young Music Composers

The Music Composition Explorations Workshop, June 17-21, 2019, provides young composers ages 13-18 with a thrilling week of eye- and ear- opening opportunities and challenges designed to give them heightened composing skills and enhanced musical perspective.

Directed by George Mason University Composition Professor Mark Camphouse, with instruction provided by his Master’s student JP Allgood, the program is part of Mason Summer Music Intensive Week. Located in Mason’s School of Music on the Mason Fairfax campus in Fairfax, VA (in the Washington, DC Metro area), the Summer Music Intensive Week brings aspiring teen musicians from across the region and the country together for instrument-specific clinics, group masterclasses and workshops, social activities, and a robust final student performance in the Center for the Arts concert hall.

 

 

The workshop covers a broad range of various classical composition styles from the Renaissance to the Romantic period to the present, coupled with elements of music history and theory. Student compositions are listened to, analyzed, and discussed in morning group class sessions. Afternoon sessions are devoted to private lessons and guided composing time, which can include composition assignments by the instructor and/or personal works already in progress.

“The amount of individualized attention we are able to give to students in this program is exceptional,” stated Mr. Allgood. “Put that together with the group discussions and structured listening activities, and you’ve got one phenomenal week of music making!”

 

Student composing music at summer camp

 

As an added feature, Professor Mark Camphouse and noted American composer Franck Ticheli will team up for a very insightful discussion during one of the afternoon sessions.

“Opening the minds and ears of budding young composers and seeing them interacting harmoniously with their friends is a real treat for me,” reflected Mr. Allgood. “Also, seeing young composers whose backgrounds are often primarily of a popular music nature having their minds blown by the master composers of classical music is pretty amazing to witness.”

 

Music Composition Explorations 2019 Flier

 

This program is intended for students with significant music and/or composition experience. Students who are relatively new to the world of Music Composition are encouraged to sign up for the Intro to Music Composition Workshop, July 8-12.

As part of Summer Music Intensive Week, the Music Explorations Workshop also offers a Residential option, including on-campus housing and meals plus special evening activities, for an additional fee.

 

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Special thanks to our program supporters:

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The Academy will be closed for Spring Break beginning Monday, March 25 and will re-open on Monday, April 1. We will be operating with limited hours. For any urgent requests, please call 703-993-9889.

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