2011 Midsummer Day’s Dream Strings Camp

Registration for 2012 will be open in March!  To get an idea of our classes, please see 2011 classes below.

For further information or registration help please contact the Directors of Flatirons String Academy, Keynes Chen or Regan Kane at 303-908-2493 OR Parlando’s Director of Instrumental Studio, Liz Dinwiddie at 303-641-2079.

Camp Registration Deadline

Monday, June 13th.  A $40 late fee will apply after.  Please call us at 303-908-6784 before you register, after June 13th.

Camp Time

Monday, July 25th – Saturday, July 30th
BASIC CAMP & QUARTET SEMINAR  9am – 4pm
BUDDING PROGRAM 10am – 12pm

Camp Concerts

FACULTY CONCERT Friday, July 29th, 7pm
STUDENT CONCERT Saturday, July 30th, 2pm

Camp Location

Boulder Valley Christian Church, 7100 S Boulder Rd
Boulder, CO 80303

Camp Cost

BASIC CAMP $415
QUARTET SEMINAR $415
BUDDING PROGRAM $265

Camp Faculty:

• Yinfeng Keynes Chen, violin & quartet
• Regan Kane, violin & quartet
• Aniel Caban, viola & quartet
• Marcelo Sanches, cello & quartet
• Liz Dinwiddie, viola & theory
• Katie Glassman, fiddle
• Adam Galblum, fiddle
• Katy Buckbee, Budding Program

View 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

Basic Camp Classes (view class schedule)

Improvisation I

Do you want to learn how to improvise but you don’t know where to start? This class is for you! Come explore strategies for making music “on the fly” and get more comfortable with improvisation. Learn and apply music theory, swing bowings, and play to open up your creativity! Anyone can improvise! Take the class to gain the tools. Please bring a recording device to EVERY class.  Improvisation I is for students who are in Suzuki book 2 and above.

Improvisation II

How musicians improvise – “make up” music on the spot – is often seen as a mysterious skill. Similarly, one wonders how composers come up with their beautiful compositions. Improvisers and composers share a knowledge of music theory, how melodies and harmonies work together. Music is a language like any other, with its own grammar and syntax. In this fun, exploratory class we will take steps towards applying music theory and ear training toward creating our own unique melodies and harmonies – and experience the joy and marvel of improvising.

Note: Improvisation level of each improviser will be determined the first day of camp. Please sign up for the level you feel applies to you and instructors will assist in placement at the camp.

Music Theory & Ear Training

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. Training the ear to hear details will improve performance interpretation and improvisation. This class is for students 10 and up, or proficient note readers.

Introduction to Composition

Learn how to create or arrange your own music in the classical style! This class is for students who have studied basic theory and ear training.

Introduction to Conducting

Lean to read multi-part scores, basic conducting patterns and musical gestures. Improve inner-pulse, better understand patterns in orchestra. This class is designed for students 10 and up, or proficient note readers.

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 2 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.

Beginning Fiddle

Wanna learn to fiddle? Learn traditional old-time fiddle tunes by ear. Explore embellishments, bowings, rhythms and learn tunes by ear. The class will learn several tunes, please bring a recording device so that we can add a new tune per day. This class is for students equivalent to Suzuki Book 2 – 4.

Fun with Drones and Double Stops for Fiddling

American fiddle music is some of the most fun you can have on the violin! Toe tapping rhythms and hopping, joyful melodies are some of the features of this great violin style. One way to really spice up your fiddle playing is by playing extra notes, underneath or alongside the melody of a tune. These are called drone notes and double stops. This class will explain how to add drones and double stops to students’ fiddle music, solidifying basic violin techniques while exploring a fun and rhythmic musical genre!

Fiddle Ensemble and Alternate Styles String Ensemble

Fiddle: Learn popular fiddle tunes as a group. We will add harmonies and create our own arrangements as a class. Prior to the class mp3s will be e-mailed so that you can listen to and begin learning the tunes on your own. This is a class for students equivalent to Suzuki Book 2 or above.  Alternate Styles Ensemble: Open to violin, viola and cellos….This class will be a mixed bag of treats. From chopping back-up to Irish melodies, Appalachian fiddling to European Gypsy music to jazz. Learn to play tunes from many different genres. Get ready to have fun while expanding your horizons. Please bring a recorder to every class.  We will learn by ear…..This class is for students equivalent to Suzuki Book 2 or above.

Texas Style Fiddle Tunes

Learn three tunes suitable to play in a fiddle competition.  A breakdown, waltz and tune of choice (rag, jig, polka, swing tune).  The tunes are fun, challenging and rhythmic.  Get ready to learn by ear.   Please bring a recording device to EVERY class. This is a class for students equivalent to Suzuki Book 3 or above or students are experienced with shifting.

Celtic Fiddle

Of all the folk violin traditions, Celtic fiddling is one of the most beloved. It is easy to fall in love with the lilting, romantic, and whimsical melodies and rhythms of Reels, Jigs, and Airs. In this class students will learn beautiful melodies of the Celtic fiddle tradition, while expanding their violin technique by applying unique bowing and fingering patterns found in Celtic music. Students will go home each night happily humming along to these songs in their heads!

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 directors.  Pro Arte is usually limited to the students participating in the Quartet Seminar program.