July 23 – 29, 2017
Scripps College
Claremont, CA
If you’re on this website, you probably know that there’s something special and powerful about playing great chamber music. Is it the sensation of being inside the mind of a great composer? The joy of creating a beautiful and ephemeral thing? Spending intimate, creative time with bright, friendly people? The joy of chamber music comes from all of these. And the wonderful thing is: the more skilled you become, the more intense this joy becomes. Imagine having a solid week every year to immerse yourself in chamber music, building your skills in a positive, intense, friendly and informal environment. This is the Southern California Chamber Music Workshop.
This year, the SoCal Chamber Music Workshop (SCCMW), formerly known as the San Diego Chamber Music Workshop, celebrates its fortieth anniversary. Decades ago, San Diego-based ophthalmologist and amateur violinist Ron Goldman attended Interlochen Center for the Arts’ Adult Chamber Music Camp in Northwest Michigan. Inspired by his experience at Interlochen, Goldman started a chamber music workshop in Southern California with his wife, Wynnona. Since 1978, the SoCal Music Workshop has garnered a reputation for its friendly intensity.
Our summer 2017 session runs from July 23 to July 29 and takes place in Claremont, California. This workshop is designed for amateur and professional musicians (strings, winds and piano) ages 17 and up. We offer a fun, intensive and structured program that strives to deepen a musician’s enjoyment and understanding of chamber music, while improving their ability to play within a group. This year’s workshop week includes master classes, group rehearsals, coaching sessions, faculty concerts, evening programs and musical freelancing. We welcome the Daedalus Quartet, the Horszowski Trio and the Ensō String Quartet as our ensembles-in-residence for our summer 2017 session. Peruse our website to learn more about our community.
A prospective participant may apply as an individual player or as a member of a preformed group (quartet, etc.) An individual player will receive a new assignment (a combination of new players and a new piece) each day from our coaches. Preformed groups stay together for the entire week (minus one day) to explore their own chosen repertoire at greater depth. If you’re accepted, we’ll send you more info and instructions on how to pay your tuition, and room and board.
Applications are currently closed, but please come back in a few months for next year’s application form. Thanks to all of our applicants. We’re welcoming 140 musicians to the workshop this summer!