Register today for FSA's intensive week-long summer camp experience. AMSDD 2012 will be held from Monday, July 16th to Saturday, July 21st. See our classes listed below! Register today!

2012 Midsummer Day’s Dream Strings Camp

Registration is now open!

For further information or registration help please contact the Directors of Flatirons String Academy, Keynes Chen or Regan Kane at 303-908-2493.

Camp Registration Deadline
Monday, June 4th, 2012. If you register after June 4th, please call 303-908-6784 to confirm space availability. Please note that Early Bird discounted registration ends June 4th. Regular tuition will apply to registrations made after June 4th.
Camp Dates & Times
Monday, July 16th – Saturday, July 21st
MAIN CAMP & QUARTET SEMINAR  9am – 4pm
BUDDING PROGRAM 10am – 12pm
Camp Concerts
FACULTY CONCERT Thursday, July 18th, 7pm
STUDENT CONCERT Friday, July 20th, 6pm
STUDENT CONCERT Saturday, July 21st, 2pm
Camp Location
Boulder Valley Christian Church, 7100 S Boulder Rd
Boulder, Colorado 80303
Camp Tuition
MAIN CAMP $465 $415 if you register before June 4th, 2012
QUARTET SEMINAR $465 $415 if you register before June 4th, 2012
BUDDING PROGRAM $265

Register today!

If a student’s teacher is a current ASTA (American String Teacher Association) member, that student may be eligible for an ASTA scholarship. Please check with your teacher for how to apply.

Since our camp is mainly advertised through the word of mouth, we sincerely appreciate whomever helps us to recruit. In return, we would like to express our gratitude by giving a $25 reward to any campers who has referred a new camper ($25 per new camper and the new camper has attended the camp). A refund check during the camp will be issued during camp.
NOTE: Reward is only issued to the person who is listed in the referral box on the application

Camp Faculty:

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 attended 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

Main Camp Classes (view class schedule)

Gypsy Fiddle

Learn the newly premeired piece “Blackberry Gypsy,” by Katie Glassman. This is a 4 part piece inspired by European Gypsy music and Klezmer. The flavorful modes catch the ear as they flutter through part to part. Music will be sent out in advance, class time will be spent putting the parts together and learning about the exotic fingerings. Suzuki book 3 and above.

How to Bow like a Fiddler!

The bowings in fiddle music can be difficult, and may not come naturally, especially if classical music is your primary style. This class will go over some basic bowing rules that can be applied to all fiddling styles.

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

Learn 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.

Texas Contest Fiddling

Learn oldtime Texas fiddle tunes that have been passed down by ear for generations. These tunes can be used in fiddle competitions, jam sessions and performances. Tunes may include a hornpie, reel, waltz, rag, swing tune. (Suzuki book 3 and above)

Irish Fiddle

Irish tunes are generally quite simple, and are a great way to start playing fiddle music. In this class, many easy tunes will be learned, as well as instruction on the ornamentation of the style.

Alternative Styles String Ensemble

This class will take on a tour of Klezmer, celtic, American fiddle and other fun, engaging fiddle tunes to play together. Perhaps Latin, perhaps Gypsy, you never know what fun surprises will pop up in this course. This performing group is always a hit for the audience. Spicing up the end of each day with various diversity of genres.

Blues and Improvisation

Improvisation can be a fun contrast to classical music, and a new way to know your instrument even better. The improvisation in this class will be focused on the blues, which can be applied to many styles of music.

Jam Session

Play tunes you already know and learn new tunes. This class will go over the basics of jamming etiquitte and techniques. Learn chops and fiddle back up methods for jamming with other fiddle players. Incorporate drones, double stops and rhythmic loops to accompany other musicians.

Gypsy Jazz & Improvisation

The foundation of all improvisation is the blues. Within the Gypsy context, we will learn a minor blues melody. From there, we will discuss theory of improvisation, scales and chords. We will work on how to bow jazz rhythms. After learning the theory, we will use it all. Students will learn how to create and improv their own melodies within the structure of a Gypsy jazz tune.

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 faculty.  The Pro Arte is a conductor-less chamber orchestra that will challenge all advanced students to push their technical and artistic level to their limits.
Register today!