GWSI offers students studying violin, cello, viola and bass an opportunity to supplement their musical education by enjoying a week of individual and group instruction in the company of students and families who value and actively pursue musical, personal and talent development. GWSI students range in age from 4 to 18 years, and in experience level from Pre-Twinklers and Twinklers who are just starting their Suzuki studies to advanced students who have mastered all ten Suzuki books. They include violinists, cellists and violists who are studying using the Suzuki approach, as well as bass players who have been training by any method. Parents play an active role in the GWSI student program and all children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
String Programs
The string programs offer an individual lesson in Master Class style, a group Repertory Class and two additional music enrichment classes based on advancement level. Master Class Lessons for advanced students are small (including 3 rather than 4 students). In addition, students are encouraged to attend the morning meeting, practice help with GWSI faculty and afternoon recitals given by guest clinicians.
Pre-Twinkle Program
Violin Pre-Twinkle
Cello Pre-Twinkle
Master Class
Repertory Class
Music Games Class
Rhythm Class
Prelude Program
Violin Books 1-3
Cello Books 1-2
Viola Books 1-2
Bass Book 1
Master Class
Repertory Class
Fiddle Class
Rhythm Class
Play-in Class
Vivace Program
Violin Books 4-5
Cellos Books 3-4
Viola Books 3-4
Bass Book 2
Master Class
Repertory & Technique Class
Rhythm Class
Improv Class
Artist Program
Violin Books 6 and up
Cellos Books 5 and up
Viola Books 5 and up
Bass Book 3 and up
Master Class
Repertory Workshop
Technique Class
Rhythm Class
Improv Class
The Artist Program Repertory Workshop with Katie Lansdale
Finding Your Voice: first encounters with solo Bach violin pieces
Capricious Commentary: how to create your own cadenza for a Mozart concerto movement
Building the Arc: guiding your path toward an audition
Many Worlds: celebrating violin music by BIPOC composers
The violin is an infinitely flexible instrument, and our musical horizons are expanding by the minute. Let’s explore some marvelous pieces by BIPOC composers, expand our world, and even play a piece together (via video). Students will be sent music for a selected work well in advance, and are expected to know it by the time of the institute.
Recitals
Performances are an integral part of the GWSI experience and are included in all programs. Since we are online this year, we will present our guest artists in daily mini-concerts with a question and answer session to follow. Our faculty will also be performing in an online concert with details to be announced. Our student recitals will be compiled by pre-submitted recordings of students’ prepared pieces. The processes for creating group performances will be relayed to participants prior to the start of the Institute to ensure the best quality video and audio production possible. Complete information and schedules will be released closer to the Institute dates.
Further recital information will be posted within the coming days. Stay tuned for information about these amazing performance opportunities!
Practice help from GWSI faculty are available for students who wish to take advantage of them during their free periods. Practice rooms will be offered via zoom this year.
Preparation
Violin, cello, viola and bass students (other than Pre-Twinklers) should come prepared to play a polished piece for their first master class lesson. The GWSI teachers can readily assess a student’s needs by hearing a technically and musically mature performance of a piece.
