Ovations Summer Strings Music Camp | Mason Arts Academy GMU

String musician students at summer camp

OVATIONS SUMMER STRINGS ACADEMY

SUMMER 2019 INFORMATION WILL BE UPDATED BY JANUARY 15, 2019!

The Ovations Summer Strings Academy at Mason offers a unique chamber music and string orchestra experience for string students (rising 7th graders through 12th grade). Program directors Glenn Dewey (Mason School of Music Professor) and Alex Morrison (Centreville HS Orchestra Director and Mason alum) invite you to take part in this challenging and enriching summer program. Participants will work closely with an acclaimed Guest Conductor in one of two string orchestras, and with an impressive cast of area string educators/ professional musicians for challenging string literature in small chamber ensembles. Exciting chamber and large group performances will be presented at the end of the week. Placement seating auditions will take place on Sunday, June 24th to determine orchestra and chamber assignments.

2018 Guest Conductors: Scott Wood & J.D. Anderson

READ SUMMER 2018 BLOGPOST

Ages: GRADES 7-12
Dates: June 24-29, 2018
Times: Sunday, 1:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.- 4:00p.m.*
*Also Thursday and Friday evening concerts
Tuition: $430
Location: Mason Fairfax Campus, Performing Arts Building

An “After Care” option is available for this program from 4-6 pm for $90/week, located in Mason’s Performing Arts Building and staffed by the Academy’s Summer Staff. After registering for this program (but before final checkout/ payment!), search for and add “After Care” to your cart (be sure to choose the correct week).

AUDITION INFORMATION
Placement seating auditions will take place on Sunday, June 24th to determine orchestra and chamber group assignment. Please note that ALL registrants will receive a placement in the program. ALL participants should prepare the “Gold Level” Audition Excerpts. More experienced/ advanced players should also prepare the “Green Level” Audition Excerpts. We strongly encourage all students to prepare as many passages as possible from the Green and Gold orchestra Repertoire lists. Preparation of all excerpts is not required, but the faculty would like to place you in the most rewarding ensemble/ section possible – challenge yourself and do your best! Download excerpts below.

AUDITION EXCERPTS
VIOLIN VIOLA CELLO BASS

Gold Orchestra description

Students participating in this group perform “music grade 3-4 level” pieces in both the large string orchestra and chamber music groups. All members of the Gold Orchestra will perform in the final concert, both in their chamber ensemble and string orchestra. The primary goal for this group is to provide participants some of their first serious chamber music opportunities, as well as prepare them for more advanced literature in the future. Tone production, intonation, and ensemble and chamber music skills will all be explored.

Green Orchestra description

Students participating in this group will perform “music grade 5-6 level” pieces in both their large string orchestra and chamber music groups. All members of the Green Orchestra will perform in the final concert, both in their chamber ensemble and string orchestra. The primary goal for this group is to provide more advanced players opportunities to work together with faculty coaches to delve more deeply into advanced concepts of performance and to expand their musical experiences and horizons.

MORE PROGRAM DETAILS:

OVATIONS FACULTY MEMBERS

OVATIONS WELCOME LETTER & SCHEDULE 2018

OVATIONS FRIDAY CONCERT DVD FORM 2018

Guest Artists: Cristian Perez Chamber Ensemble
Read More About CPCE

The Cristian Perez Chamber Ensemble (CPCE) is a unique quartet consisting of an unusual instrumentation: guitar, cello, violin, and flute, plus auxiliary percussion instruments (such as dun dun drum, windchimes, hooves, shakers, rainstick, etc.). CPCE not only combines musicians of different backgrounds (classical, Bulgarian folk, Jazz, Tango, Bluegrass, Latin-american, etc.), but it also attempts to send a message of unity and inclusiveness. The ensemble performs original compositions inspired by different large bodies of water. Occoquan River (Virginia, USA), Han River (South Korea), Lake Titicaca (Bolivia), the Black Sea (Eastern Europe/West Asia) are some examples of geographic places that Cristian made into musical pieces. Each composition paints a particular picture of its own and borrows elements from the music of its origin. The quartet also performs arrangements of existing pieces of diverse nature. Quartet members: Cristian Perez, Yana Hristova, Aaron Malone, and Devree Lewis

Program Directors:

Glenn Dewey, Adjunct Professor at Mason’s School of Music
Email questions to academy@gmu.edu

Alex Morrison, Orchestra Director at Centreville High School
Email questions to academy@gmu.edu

Be sure to check our policies and procedures regarding withdrawals, refunds and more for summer programs.
All students will receive an Ovations Welcome Letter 2018 via email at least 1 week before the program starts with all necessary details including drop off, pick up, what to bring, etc. Feel free to call the Academy office with questions at 703-993-9889.
Questions about parking on campus? Find answers here.

This year’s Ovations program has been made possible, in part, with the support from ACMP Associated Chamber Music Players:

SEE FULL CAMP LIST

To register by phone or request a paper registration form, please call the Academy office at 703-993-9889.

TESTIMONIALS

“I had the opportunity to play in the best orchestra I have ever been in.” – Ovations Summer Strings Academy 2017 Participant

See More Testimonials

“My favorite part was the chamber groups, and the conductor had fantastic energy and enthusiasm!” – Ovations Summer Strings Academy 2017 Participant

“Ms. Jackson was a great conductor and the cello sectional was amazing.” – Ovations Summer Strings Academy 2017 Participant

“I was impressed by how much they taught us in such little time.” – Ovations Summer Strings Academy 2017 Participant

“I enjoyed the rigor…the challenge…and the inspiration to stretch to be a better musician. The music choices were great!” – Ovations Summer Strings Academy 2017 Participant