Overview
The Creative Strings Institute allows classically-trained string players to explore a wide range of musical repertoire from South America, Africa, Europe the East and North America. All classes will include accompaniment provided by a rhythm section comprised of piano or guitar, bass, and drums or percussion. Each student will also create an original composition, which will be recorded by the ensemble at a final performance. All participants will receive a CD recording of their original composition.
Details
Music institutes admit students up to age 22. All other institutes are limited to current high school students.
Students will live in a cabin with 10 to 18 other artists. The cabins are rustic but comfortable. Counselors supervise each cabin and are usually current college students who are studying the arts and sometimes former campers. (Note: college-aged students will be housed in cabins separate from high school participants.)
Because the Institutes occur before the regular camp season, participants do not wear uniforms and do not have opportunities for structured recreational activities.
- Music theory classes will bring together traditional scales, arpeggios and chord progressions with similar concepts taken from other musical traditions.
- Recording studio techniques will help students learn how to use bowing, phrasing and articulation in the recording studio to create distinct sounds.
- Improvisation classes will emphasize skills from music theory
- Songwriting sessions will provide an opportunity to create original compositions
Faculty
- Violinist Gwen Laster
- Bassist Damon Banks
- Pianist Eileen Orr
- Drummer Recardo Beamon
