Strings International Music Festival

Some News to Check Out...

2009-11-12T11:52:00.001-05:00

The Youth Orchestra of San Antonio (YOSA) has a new Music Director, Troy Peters. Read this article for full details: http://www.mysanantonio.com/life/Music_director_Troy_Peters_set_to_make_local_conducting_debut.html

For additional information right from the YOSA site, click here.

Interesting Event... Consider Attending

2009-11-09T16:36:00.000-05:00

Thomas Hampson, baritone and Wolfram Rieger, piano

Philadelphia Chamber Music Society America’s leading baritone returns to Philadelphia for a very special recital with accompanist Wolfgang Rieger. Part of Hampson’s continuing “Song of America” project, this concert is presented in collaboration with the American Musicological Society and commemorates the 250th anniversary of the first song written in America. Price: $25.00 215-569-8080 Thomas Hampson, baritone and Wolfram Rieger, piano Photo An evening of American song Hampson's PCMS recital is part of his continuing Song of America project, marking the 250th anniversary of the first song written in America. Thursday, November 12, 2009, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM. Independence Seaport Museum 211 S. Columbus Blvd. For more info visit www.pcmsconcerts.org.

2009-11-09T16:31:00.000-05:00

Dear Fellow Strings and Families,

We have some exciting news! The Strings International Music Festival has opened an online store. The store can be accessed by clicking here or cutting and pasting the following link into your browser: http://www.cafepress.com/simf.

Just in time for the holidays, the Strings store has a variety of great gifts for your Strings fans, alumni and family members. T-shirts, sweatshirts, travel mugs, calendars, bags, and that’s just to name a few. Make sure you add a visit to the Strings store to your holiday shopping list.

Also, remember to stay up-to-date on Strings news and events on our Facebook page, and by following us on Twitter.

The Mozart Effect... Interesting Read...

2009-11-02T21:26:00.002-05:00

Have you ever heard of the Mozart effect? Perhaps yes, and perhaps no, but it is a truly remarkable example of the beneficial effects of classical music. The term “Mozart Effect,” came out of a 1993 study conducted by researchers Frances Rauscher and Katherine Ky in which they studied the effects of listening to Mozart on the IQ scores of college students. Well, needless to say, the college students that had listed to Mozart had improved test scores. Rauscher and Ky repeated their study in 1995 on a larger number of test subjects, and the results were the same. In 1996 and 1997, another study was conducted at Ursinus College in Pennsylvania. The study showed increased brain activity in subjects after listening to Mozart. The study also found that music similar to Mozart, meaning other classical music, provided the same increase in brain activity.

Scientists and researchers have continued to study this classical music phenomenon, and have found increased spatial cognition, increased test scores, improved fine motor coordination, improved vision, and higher brain function. Perhaps most interesting, and most important, however, are the important effects of classical music on our health and well being.

According to the Institute of Brain Aging at the University of California, it has been found that listening to Mozart has improved the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale scores of patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

But is it only Mozart? According to Professor John Jenkins, and his study of the Mozart Effect on epileptic patients, it is Bach too. As published by the BBC, he found that “short bursts” of classical music decrease epileptic attacks. A hospital study on heart patients that was conducted also found classical music to be beneficial. The study reported that 30 minutes of listening to classical music had the same affect on their patients as the anti-anxiety drug Valium, and when you walk into a surgical room, it is usually classical music that you will hear.

Here are some other interesting facts on the benefits of classical music:

- According to a St. John’s University study, classical music aids in memory development from as young as 3 months
- It has also been found that listening to Baroque music enhances memory, specifically of spelling, poetry, and language
- According to a study conducted by the University of Washington of the effects of classical music listening on people in the workplace, it was found that those listening to classical music while editing a manuscript had a 21.3% greater accuracy rate, and those in the billing department of Mississippi Power & Lighting had a 18.6% increase in efficiency.
- In 2004 the British Transport Police started playing classical music in underground stations. After 6 months, robberies were down 33%, assaults were down 25%, and vandalism was down 37%.

The benefits of classical music are quite clear – improved health, improved work skills, lower crime; lower stress. There really is no reason not to listen to classical music.

Philadelphia Orchestra - Complimentary Tickets for this Saturday October 31!!!

2009-10-27T20:14:00.005-04:00

We have exciting news! Complimentary tickets to Saturday's Philadelphia Orchestra concert are available to all Strings Families and friends! That is for this Saturday, October 31st. To get your tickets just visit us on Facebook, and reply to the discussion board posting, “Complimentary Tickets to Saturday's Philadelphia Orchestra Concert” by posting your name, email address, and number of tickets you would like us to reserve for you. We will contact you to confirm the reservation, or if any additional information is required.

These tickets are compliments of The Philadelphia Orchestra, and will go QUICKLY. There are only a limited number available, so respond ASAP! Details on the concert are below.

Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto
Saturday, October 31st, 8:00 PM

Vladimir Jurowski Conductor
Sergey Khachatryan Violin

Stravinsky Scherzo fantastique
Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto
Prokofiev Symphony No. 4 (1947 revision)

Energetic Armenian-born violinist Sergey Khachatryan joins the Orchestra for an all-Russian program that highlights Tchaikovsky's summery Violin Concerto. At the podium for his fourth Philadelphia Orchestra visit is Moscow native Vladimir Jurowski, principal conductor of the London Philharmonic and music director of the Glyndebourne Festival Opera. Jurowski opens the concert with Stravinsky's flamboyant early Scherzo fantastique, written when the 24-year-old composer was still under the tutelage of Rimsky-Korsakov, and closes with Prokofiev's rarely heard Fourth Symphony from 1930, in its sumptuous expanded version of 1947.

Additional Strings programs, news, and events can also be found on our Facebook page. So be sure to check it out regularly!

We're on Twitter

2009-09-20T12:27:00.002-04:00

Follow the Strings International Music Festival on Twitter now. Visit us at: http://twitter.com/stringscamp.

Back from Croatia!!

2009-09-20T12:17:00.003-04:00

This summer's Croatia trip was amazing. We visited Venice, well known for its classical musicians and history. Exciting to note is that our tour guide in Venice was actually an opera singer... how fitting!!

Check out the photos from the trip, and be sure to look on our website for 2010 registration information.

Some interesting info about Cunningham Piano...

2009-05-26T15:44:00.002-04:00

The Strings International Music Festival has a standing relationship with the famous Cunningham Piano Company out of Philadelphia. The following are some fun facts about Cunningham Piano:

1. Voted 1st Place Winner for the 2007 and 2008 Best Musical Instruments on MyFoxPhilly.com.

2. You can tour the factory and see firsthand their musical crafting.

3. Cunningham Piano came to the rescue of a prodigy - watch below.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/video.

4. Awesome!! As stated in the YouTube description for the below video: "The PianoDisc iQ Intelligent Player System can connect an iPod to a PianoDisc reproducing piano, allowing for audio output to speakers inside the piano case, video from the iPod, and MIDI signals embedded in the music track to actually play the physical piano in sync with the video. This demonstration was shot at the Cunningham Piano Company in Philadelphia (http://www.cunninghampiano.com/), with the audio directly recorded from the iQ playing through an acoustic Cunningham piano. Featured song "100 Years" by Five for Fighting. Video and audio engineering by pianist/videographer Hugh Sung (http://hughsung.com)."

Ranaan Meyer...

2009-05-19T08:24:00.003-04:00

Strings International Music Festival's faculty member, and accomplished musician, Ranaan Meyer, has made yet another accomplishment in his musical career. Ranaan has been known at the Strings International Music Festival for quite a few summers now, first teaching alongside Hal Robinson, Principal Bass of The Philadelphia Orchestra, and then heading the double bass program at Strings. Ranaan is also well known for his fabulous, and famous string trio, Time for Three, for which he is the bassist and composer.

Ranaan Meyer has now started a summer workshop called Classical Jam Band. The program with Classical Jam Band is from August 10-15th, and is a residency program held at North Central Michigan College on the campus of the Bay View Music Festival.

The program at Classical Jam Band is a week-long music experience of collaboration and creativity in which students will form their own musical ensembles. All musicians attending will be taught improvisation, arranging and composing as an ensemble, as a “jam band,” by Ranaan Meyer. Groups will create original music and new arrangements. They will practice these skills within the framework of their prior musical experience and learn to apply them to their classical playing. They will perform for their colleagues as well as in open performances for the Bay View audiences.

So...

Step 1: study alongside members of The Phildelphia Orchestra at the Strings International Music Festival in order to practice and improve upon your technique and classical styling. The Strings International Music Festival's 2009 dates are June 13-26.. Limited spaces are still available, and when requesting information, be sure to inquire about the available scholarships.

Step 2: study alongside Ranaan Meyer at Classical Jam Band, and take your improved skills and styling and further them yet again, learning improvisation and composing.

Event of Interest...

2009-05-16T09:41:00.002-04:00

The Children's Orchestra Society, presents...

Discovery Gala Concert

Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 7:30 PM
COS Young Symphonic Ensemble
Michael Dadap, Conductor
2009 Discovery Winner:
Sheena Tsai, Violin
Guest Artists:
Soovin Kim, Violin
Eric Jacobsen, Cello
Orli Shaham, Piano

Carnegie Hall
57th Street & 7th Avenue
New York, NY 10019

Tickets: $20, $30, $50

COS celebrates its 40th anniversary at Carnegie Hall! Join us for this momentous occasion as we present our 15th annual Discovery Gala concert, featuring the YSE, the 2009 Senior Discovery Competition winner, Sheena Tsai, performing the Saint-Saens Violin Concerto No. 3 and special guest artists, Soonvin Kim, Eric Jacobsen, and Orli Shaham performing the Beethoven Triple Concerto. The program also include Rossini's Barber of Seville Overture and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4.

So here she is...

2009-05-07T09:33:00.003-04:00

So we recently informed everyone about Strings International Music Festival alumni, Elli Choi's appearance on the Bonnie Hunt Show, well here she is... Elli will also be returning to the Strings International Music Festival's summer program this year, which runs from June 13-26. There are still some spots left, so check out Elli's interview and magnificent performance and register for our summer program online.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/video.

Check it out...

2009-05-04T10:20:00.004-04:00

Violin virtuoso and Strings International Music Festival alumni Elli Choi
is scheduled to appear on the Bonnie Hunt Show on Tuesday, May 5, 2009.

Elli Choi is a music sensation, introduced to public media at the age of 4. She is now a mere 7 years of age, and is a master of the violin, having performed with world famous symphonies and orchestras. Check our out at age 5 below and in our April 13th blog posting of Elli at the 2008 Strings International Music Festival.

Strings International Music Festival Announces New Programs for 2009

2009-04-27T14:19:00.004-04:00

Strings International Music Festival Music Camp is pleased to announce the addition of some wonderful new programs for the 2009 season.

Strings now includes the following new programs (so tell all your friends):

1. Harp program - The program, designed for harp players of all skill levels from 13 - 18 years of age, will include weekly private lessons, daily harp ensemble, flute and harp choir, or orchestra rehearsals, daily chamber music rehearsals (including duets for harp and flute or harp and piano), a concerto competition, master classes, daily required private practice, a group trip to a Philadelphia Orchestra concert, a concentrated private practice seminar, and much more!

2. Flute program - The flute program includes lessons with Mr. Loren Lind, Flutist, Philadelphia Orchestra. All flute students will receive a minimum of two private lessons with Mr. Loren Lind of The Philadelphia Orchestra.

3. College auditions preparations program - Join Kimberly Fisher - whose lecture series and presentations make up the heart of this special Juniors and Seniors Only program. She has won five consecutive auditions with The Philadelphia Orchestra - ranging from The Philadelphia Orchestra substitute list to the position she currently holds as Principal Second Violinist. Ms. Fisher's energetic, communicative teaching style has led to invitations to present master classes, chamber music coaching’s, and audition preparation seminars around the world and she has inspired the creation of “Drumstring Publishing,” which features innovative arrangements and educational materials for string players. With an intensive daily schedule (including a minimum of four hours private practice daily) participation in this program could provide the perfect preparation for the highly-competitive world of college auditions.

4. Piano Studies Program - Designed for intermediate to advanced level pianists, will include two lessons weekly with Hugh Sung, Director of Instrumental Accompaniment and Student Recitals at The Curtis Institute of Music, Daily Chamber Music Coachings, Two Piano Master Classes with Hugh Sung, Daily Music Theory, Four-Hand Literature, or Sight Reading Classes, a Piano Technology Class with Hugh Sung, four hours of required daily private practice, a concerto competition, solo performance option, and much more.

Forgot one... ANOTHER COMPETITION - MAY 22ND

2009-04-23T11:25:00.003-04:00

Strings International Music Festival
2009 Piano and Strings Competition

Sponsored by Cunningham Piano Co. and AirTurn, Inc.

Students and teachers: Are you tired of competing for points based solely on “performance perfection?” Then this competition is for you!

Personal, creative presentation will comprise a major portion of the competition. All students will be required to speak about themselves, the music, and what they hope each listener will experience through their performance. They will be judged on this verbal presentation.
Students will be accompanied by Hugh Sung, Director of Instrumental Accompaniment and Student Recitals at The Curtis Institute of Music.

Requirements as follows:
Division I: Ages 11 and under
1. Presentation: Participants will be required to introduce themselves, as well as speak a bit (approx. 1-2 minutes) about why
they love music.
2. Repertoire: One work or portion (such as a movement) of the participant’s choosing, no more than four minutes in length.

Division II: Ages 12-14
1. Presentation: Participants will be required to introduce themselves, state the name of their pieces (with composer), and give at
least two facts or comments about each work they have chosen.
2. Repertoire: Two contrasting works or portions (such as movements) of the participant’s choosing, no longer than eight
minutes combined. Emphasis should either be on as wide a range of expression between the works as possible OR on a
creative connection/theme between two different works.

Division III: Ages 15-18
1. Presentation: Participants will be required to find a creative way of introducing themselves and explaining how their musical
selections relate to aspects of their own character, outlook, and connections to their audiences.
2. Repertoire: Two contrasting movements or pieces, no more than twelve minutes combined, one of which can be an original
composition, include improvisation and/or express an unconventional interpretation.
Judges will place emphasis on each performer’s overall stage presence, from the spoken presentation to the
stage exit.

**First Place winner will receive a $350 scholarship to the 2010 Strings International Music Festival, an SIMF hoodie sweatshirt, a professionally produced video of winning performance (compliments of AirTurn, Inc), and a personalized performance video posted on the Strings International Music Festival website.
Competition Date: May 22, 2009: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Cunningham Piano Co. 5427 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Registration Fee of $30.00 per performer
Phone: 856-875-6816 for more information or for the first annual
Strings International Music Festival Piano and Strings Competition.
Click the following link to register online: www.stringscamp.com/regpiano.html
Visit the Strings International Website at www.stringscamp.com

Competition, Competition - 2009 Strings International Music Festival Competitions

2009-04-23T11:00:00.006-04:00

2009 Strings International Music Festival Competitions

Attention Strings… we have already posted about the Strings International Music Festival’s online video Facebook music competition, which is open to alumni, new Strings, prospective Strings, and the musical public.

Strings International Music Festival is also pleased to announce 2 other upcoming competitions for Strings music program members only.

The Concerto Competition (open only to musicians enrolled in our music camp program for 2009): Musicians participating in the competition must be ready to perform with orchestra if selected. This event is one of the most intense of the performance opportunities at Strings 2009. Repertoire must be performed by memory and readily available for orchestral accompaniment. Please note that rehearsal with faculty accompanist will constitute preliminary round. Rehearsals may be scheduled as early as Sunday, June 14, so please insure that you arrive at the festival ready to perform competition repertoire. Final rounds are performed in public at an evening concert event at Bryn Mawr College. One Grand Prize Winner will be selected to represent Strings 2009 as a soloist with the Ocean City Pops Orchestra!

The Bach Double and Vivaldi Competition (open only to musicians enrolled in our music camp program for 2009): Violin students will be given an opportunity at the Strings 2009 International Music Festival to compete for an on-stage duo concerto performance at the Kimmel Center – or other Philadelphia area venue - with Kimberly Fisher, Principal Second Violinist, Philadelphia Orchestra, or other member of The Philadelphia Orchestra! To qualify for this competition, violin students must prepare by memory either the first, second, or third movement of the Bach Double Violin Concerto, 2 violin part. One winner will be chosen for each movement. Cello students must perform by memory the first movement of the Vivaldi Concerto in B Flat Major - F.IV, n.2 for Violin, Cello, and Orchestra.

For more information on the competitions and how to register for the 2009 summer music camp season at Strings International Music Festival, visit our website at http://www.stringscamp.com, or email info@stringscamp.com.

SIMF Video Contest!!!!

2009-04-16T10:41:00.007-04:00

Strings International Music Festival Facebook Video Contest

Hey all you talented musicians out there. Whether New Strings, Strings Alumni, Parents, or Prospective Strings... be sure to check out our Facebook page!!

We've upped the ante!! Please see the revised contest details below!

STRINGS INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL FACEBOOK VIDEO CONTEST

Post your video (or your child’s video) on our Facebook page for a chance to win a $500 scholarship to the Strings International Music Festival (if already registered for SIMF 2009, the scholarship will be applied to 2010. New students may apply the scholarship to 2009 OR 2010), and the opportunity of posting your winning performance on the SIMF homepage!

Posted videos will be judged by the Strings International Music Festival's Facebook Fans (so if you're not a fan - sign-up!). Videos must be posted by May 22nd to be considered. Each voting Fan must email stringscamp@yahoo.com with "VOTE" in the subject line by June 1st with their #1 top pick. Votes will be tallied, and the winner will be announced at the 2009 Strings International Music Festival Opening Recital, Sunday, June 14th (winner does not need to be present)!

Simply click here to be brought to the contest (or click the link below):

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?saved&&suggest&note_id=72040456707&id=53860022558#/notes.php?id=53860022558

Please do not post any opinions or votes of the videos on the actual Facebook page – any such postings will be deleted and not considered.

Contestants may be of any age. There are no age-categories for this video event. Repertoire requirements: One work or portion (such as a movement) of the participant’s choosing, no more than four minutes in length. Performances may be accompanied or unaccompanied and must be performed by memory.

Pass this along to any talented musician you know that might be interested in the contest and Strings International Music Festival as well! Thank you and good luck!!

Check it out...

2009-04-13T12:51:00.005-04:00

Up from the archives...

Elli Choi on YouTube at last year's Strings International Music Festival performing Mendelssohn Violin Concerto Movement 3.

Simply amazing!!

We also have an interview posted of Elli on our Facebook page.

It is a Small World!!!

2009-04-10T21:07:00.003-04:00

Thomas Hong will be crossing paths with Ranaan Meyer outside of Strings. Strings International Music Festival's Resident Conductor, Thomas Hong is the Associate Conductor with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. Ranaan Meyer, also on the Strings International Music Festival's faculty, and double bass player with Time for Three, will be performing with Time for Three at FWSO from October 9-11, 2009... something to keep in mind for the fall. They will be performing Concerto 4-3, written for them by FWSO composer-in-residence Jennifer Higdon, and Dvorák Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95, "From the New World. For more information visit the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestr a website.

Here is a Time for Three performance sponsered by the Morton Fine Arts Association (Morton, IL) February 2009:

Yoon Jae Lee April 19th

2009-04-10T20:26:00.004-04:00

Strings International Music Festival Resident Conductor, Yoon Jae Lee, will be in NYC April 19th with Ensemble 212...

Good Shepherd Church - 152 W. 66th St., New York City
April 19th 8-10pm
Admission: $20 / $10 seniors / $7 students
Program:
Mendelssohn
A Midsummer Night's Dream Overture, Op. 61
in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of Mendelssohn's birth

Tchaikovsky
Variations on a Rococo Theme for Violoncello & Orchestra (arr. by Wilhelm Fitzenhagen)
featuring Young Artist Competition Winner

Weber
Clarinet Concertino in E Flat Major, Op. 26
Mara Plotkin, Clarinet

Haydn
The Representation of Chaos from The Creation
in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of Haydn's death

Mozart
Symphony No. 35 in D Major, K. 385 "Haffner"

Ensemble 212 was founded by Yoon Jae Lee in 2004 - check them out at http://www.ensemble212.org/aboutus.html.

Buy tickets... http://www.instantencore.com/concert/details.aspx?PId=5024425

Other news about Yoon Jae Lee...

Is now the new Music Director of Old York Road Symphony
Will be taking part in the C.W. Post Chamber Music Festival, July 13-31, 2009
May 10th & May 19th the Carnegie Hill Orchestra of NYC, conducted by Yoon Jae Lee, will be performing (May 10, 2009 – Naumberg Bandshell (Central Park), May 19, 2009 -- Peter Norton Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street).

Here is part of a previous Ensemble 212 performance:

American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras 2008-2009 Member Accomplishments Include...

2009-04-10T20:01:00.003-04:00

Strings International Music Festival Alumni Brian Hong!!

Brian was the FIRST PRIZE WINNER in the Solo Strings category for the 2009 Duquesne Young Artist National Competition, Age 13-15 at Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA). He was also a FIRST PRIZE WINNER in the chamber music category of the competition (with Masha Feygelson).

Here he is in action, and this is just in his living room!!

Strings Alumni, Betty Zhou, to Play with the New Jersey Symphony May 28th

2009-04-09T11:47:00.007-04:00

New Jersey Symphony 2008-2009 Schedule featuring...

May 28 -- "Best of Nature": Betty Zhou, violin. Jonathan Spitz, cello. Emil de Cou, conductor. 2 p.m. PAPER MILL

Some Betty Highlights:

Winner of the N.J.M.T.A. Young Violinist Competition for three consecutive years at ages six, seven, and eight
Awarded Artist of the Season by the Edison Art Association
2002 Strings International Music Festival (featuring members of The Philadelphia Orchestra) Concerto Competition Winner
2003 Winner of the Pre-Teen America National Talent Competition in Little Rock
2003 Winner of the Juilliard Pre-College Chamber Orchestra Violin Concerto Competition
April 2005 & 2005 Winner of the A.P.T.A. Youth Pianist Competition
She has played both violin and piano at Carnegie Hall in May of 2004 and May of 2005

Croatia Trip 2009!!

2009-04-09T11:10:00.001-04:00

Strings International Music Festival students Madison Marcucci, a junior at the Juilliard School, and Michal Marcucci, 13, traveled to Groznjan, Croatia, in August to participate in the International Cultural Center of Jeunesses Musicales Croatia in Groznjan Festival.

"It was an honor to travel with SIMF to participate in the ICCJMC program," said Madison. "I performed and traveled there with student musicians from Croatia, Bosnia, Russia, and Italy. It was very exciting to spend time with people from various countries and backgrounds, and an honor to represent the U.S. I look forward to doing the same in future years!"

In 2009, The Strings International Music Festival will again bring a selected group of musicians from the Strings International Music Festival to Grozjnan to conduct a joint program with the ICCJMC which will include students from various European countries, as well as outstanding students from the U.S.

Much like our U.S. program, the Croatia festival will include private lessons, chamber music, daily orchestra rehearsals, master classes, solo performance hours, a concerto competition and more. The festival will include a festival-ending Grand Finale concert, as well as three days of touring at the conclusion of the festival. Tour locations will include: Rovine, Croatia (a stunning resort area on the Adriatic Sea), Venice, Italy, and Verona, Italy, where we will enjoy an open-air opera in one of the four remaining Roman Coliseums.

To be considered for selection, please send an e-mail to: Croatia@stringscamp.com. The dates of this exciting new program are: July 20 - July 30, 2009. Look for additional information about the SIMF/ICCJMCG festival on our website soon

Tips on Practicing Your Instrument

2009-04-09T10:40:00.000-04:00

We all know the old adage, “Practice makes perfect.” More correct is, "Practice makes PERMANENT." The following are some recommended tips to get the most out of your practicing in order to master your music:

*Practice everyday – Set up a schedule for your practicing. Studies have shown that practice done earlier in the day is most effective, but don't worry if you can't practice until later; it is more important to practice everyday. Try not to skip a day.

*Remember that often the hardest part of practicing is getting started. Just get the instrument out of the case and start. Before you know it you will be on your way.

*Have a plan for your practice. It should range from very specific details you want to improve to overall concepts. Instead of practicing for a set length of time, try practicing until you have mastered a specific passage. If you master it before your scheduled practice time is done, that's great!! Move on to another passage or skill.

*Compare your practice with friends – Attend a music program, or a summer music camp. Having friends who practice and instrument makes it more fun, and more social. You may also get some good tips from other students.

*Focus on your senses – Make sure that if you wear glasses to read music, that you have them, and that your eyes are checked regularly – you wouldn’t want to miss a note during an important performance, whether a recital or a music camp performance. Also make sure you are in a good environment for focus. Don't let yourself get distracted by the TV or computer and save the texting for after your practice.

*Feel the music – Try to tell a story or share a mood with your music. Think of how you would express emotions with your voice and try to make your instrument convey the same feelings.

*Don’t be afraid to speak up – Your music camp, school, or private instructor is there to guide you in your music studies, so if you don’t understand something, or you are having trouble with a particular piece, don’t be afraid to let your teacher know.

*Watch the professionals – Every music student, whether a high school music student, or a college music student, should visit their local orchestra. Watch the way each musician moves. Pay attention to the conductor and the flow between each piece of music.

*Set goals and reward yourself – Set a goal to learn a particularly difficult or new composition, and then treat yourself to something special when the goal is accomplished. Rewarding yourself for accomplishment makes learning so much more fun.

*Practice what you are NOT good at. If you have mastered something, move on to a new section, technique or goal.

*Don’t let frustration get in your way – Learning does not need to be quick and easy – most of the time it’s not. If you feel yourself getting frustrated stop and take a couple of deep breaths. Remind yourself exactly what you are trying to accomplish and begin again. You may need to slow down or shorten the passage you are working on.

*Learn practice habits from top performers like the faculty at Strings International Music Festival and attend the Practice Seminar by Kimberly Fisher and other faculty.

Please visit us at www.stringscamp.com to learn more about the great benefits and extraordinary experience of our summer music camp.