The Stamford International Music Festival

Coachings, Lessons & Masterclasses

The Stamford International Music Festival provides students with two special weeks of learning with an international faculty of teacher-performers. For many, this chance to focus on chamber music in such beautiful surroundings provides a whole years worth of learning.

Chamber Music Coaching:
Ensemble Assignments:

Students not in a pre-formed ensemble are assigned to groups in advance of the festival. Each student can expect to be in at least two ensembles and sometimes participants may find themselves in as many as four ensembles depending upon their instrument. Student assignments to each group are based, as much as possible, on the level of your experience as an ensemble player. When we assess your suitability for an ensemble it is important for us that you are as detailed as possible on your application and that your audition recording is as representative as possible. Do not worry about the quality of the recording you send but try and make sure that it is an honest representation of what you can do!

Participants recieve notice of their ensemble assignments and the repertoire to be studied in advance of the festival to allow adequate preparation time. Repertoire is chosen according to the expereience of the combined ensemble and each participant is expected to obtain their own copy of the music they are to study (although practise parts are sometimes provided) and come to the festival with their part prepared. As a result most ensembles get the chance to learn the entire piece that they are assigned over the two weeks of study.

Once you arrive at the festival noticeboards carry daily announcements about rehearsals and coachings. Each ensemble receives a primary coach to oversee their progress and once an ensemble is well established additional coachings are arranged with alternate coaches. The daily schedule for each ensemble can vary. There are four 90 minute sessions each day and evening concerts and masterclasses make for a busy schedule.

Concerts at the end of the second week of the festival provide the opportunity for students to present their finished product to the public

- Personally, I loved the repertoire assigned to me;
it was challenging and music I wanted to perform.
Thanks for a wonderful summer!
Marley Haller - Violin, Northwestern University

Instrumental Lessons:
Instrumental lessons are offered to all string players and pianists. Lessons are intended primarily for the study of your solo repertoire but if you need help with your ensemble music many teachers are happy to offer lessons to help. Students are assigned to a teacher at the start of the festival and must arrange lesson times privately. Students get at least one lesson each week but depending upon the availability of their teacher can sometimes get two or three!. Since the focus of the festival is chamber music, instrumental lessons are fitted around your chamber ensemble times, which are announced at the start of each week. The music building remains open in the evening so there is time for private practise and extra rehearsals but unlike many festivals there are no enforced or "policed" practise hours - a feature that many students have thanked us for.

- I learned so much about myself and my playing abilities here, and it will help me tremendously in the future.
Rachel Wilkinson -
Violin, Western Springs Schoolof Talent Education

- The lesson was excellent, hitting a weakness that I need to work on right on the head!
Andy Strietelmeier -
Violin, University of Texas at Austin

- It was wonderful to have lessons on the chamber music. It helped reinforce the learning done in the coachings.
Adam Hughes -
Piano, Valparaiso University

Masterclasses:
The festival presents a number of masterclasses each year. All the masterclasses are open to the public, making the opportunity to perform in them very much like presenting a public performance. All participants are eligable for the masterclasses and are encouraged to apply. Applicants will be chosen to participate in masterclasses based upon the readiness of their solo repertoire in the first week of the festival.

If you are interested in being chosen for a masterclass we recommend that you prepare your chosen repertoire well in advance of your arrival, as if for a public performance. If you are interested in participating in the masterclasses please indicate it on your application or email us before the festival. Remember to mention the repertoire you would like to present and bring your accompaniment part to the festival so that we can provide a pianist for you!

If you are in any doubt about your suitability for participating in the masterclasses please do not hesitate to contact the festival director

- Very useful! .. it helped reinforce some learning and gave me more to think about.
Adam Hughes -
Piano, Valparaiso University

- The masterclass was definitely a good experience.
Samantha London -
Piano, Peabody Conservatory

- I was surprised to see the classes so well attended from outside, simply because that has not been the case at other festivals. It was a good, though unexpected, performance opportunity.
Andy Strietelmeier -
Violin, University of Texas at Austin

For Application Procedures and Criteria
please visit our Application Page

For more information on applying please contact one of
our two regional representatives

Liability:
The festival administration does not take accept liability for loss or damage to person or property and advises you to take adequate insurance for yourself and your property to cover both your travel and your stay. The festival administration reserves the right to cancel the festival if student numbers are not reached. In the event of cancellation all deposits and tuition payments will be returned in full and students will be informed via email or phone. The festival also reserves the right to dismiss any student for misconduct. Please read the festival's Participation Agreement Form carefully and return it with your application form.