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.
Violin and Cello Programs
The Violin and Cello Programs offer an individual lesson in Master Class style, a group Repertory Class and one additional class daily (Music Theory Games, Play-in or Orchestra) based on advancement level. Master Class Lessons for advanced students are small (including 3 rather than 4 students). In addition, students may enroll in the Music Theory Games, Quartet/Chamber Music and Scottish Fiddling electives. The chart below indicates the courses and electives included in each of the Violin and Cello Programs: Twinklers, Book 1, Book 2, Book 3 and Books 4-10 and Up.
Twinklers
INCLUDED:
Music Theory Games
Master Class
Repertory Class
Book 1
INCLUDED:
Master Class
Repertory Class
Play-in
ELECTIVES:
Music Theory Games
Book 2
INCLUDED:
Master Class
Repertory Class
Choice of Play-in or Orchestra
ELECTIVES:
Music Theory Games
Scottish Fiddling
Book 3
INCLUDED:
Master Class
Repertory Class
Orchestra
ELECTIVES:
Music Theory Games
Quartet/Chamber Music
Scottish Fiddling
Book 4-10 & Up
INCLUDED:
Advanced Master Class
Repertory Class
Orchestra
ELECTIVES:
Quartet/Chamber Music
Scottish Fiddling
Viola and Bass Programs
The Viola and Bass Program starts at Book 2. The full program offers a daily individual lesson in Master Class style and Orchestra Class. The partial program consists of Orchestra Classes only. The Scottish Fiddling elective is open to both Violists and Bass players. Violists are encouraged to enroll in the Quartet/Chamber Music elective.
Vivace Chamber Music Program
The Vivace Chamber Music Program is open to advanced cellists and violists who are studying at Virginia Band & Orchestra Directors Association (VBODA) Level 5 or Suzuki Book Level 6 and up. The full program includes a daily individual lesson in Master Class style and participation in daily Advanced Orchestra and Quartet/Chamber Music Classes. The partial program includes participation in Advanced Orchestra and Quartet/Chamber Music classes only. Vivace Program participants may enroll in Scottish Fiddling as an elective.
Note: Cellists wishing to participate in group Repertory Classes in addition to the Vivace Chamber Music Program should register instead for the Violin/Cello Book 4-10 & Up Program and enroll in the Quartet/Chamber Music elective.
Electives
Each Chamber Music Class consists of a quartet, either two violinists, a cellist and a violist or four violinists. Students are assigned to Chamber Music Class sessions starting with the most advanced players. If class seats cannot be filled for any given class session, even with the instructor fills in one of the seats, the class will be canceled and participants will receive a full tuition refund for the class. Note: Students enrolled in Violin or Cello programs may opt to play viola in a Chamber Music Class.
Scottish Fiddling Class consists of string players playing any of four string instruments (violin, cello, viola and bass). Students enrolled in the Scottish Fiddling elective may choose to play a different string instrument in that class or piano. Only one pianist can be accommodated in each Fiddling Class. If a request to participate in Scottish Fiddling as a pianist cannot be accommodated, the student will be offered a choice of attending as a string player or receiving a full tuition refund for the class.
Students enrolled in the Music Theory Games elective are assigned to classes based on advancement. If a student cannot be assigned to a class at the appropriate level of advancement because all such classes are sold out or conflict with their other classes, the student will receive a full tuition refund for the class.
Student/Faculty Recitals
Performances are an integral part of the GWSI experience and included in all programs. Student/faculty recitals are held each weekday afternoon, as well as Thursday evening. On Friday an afternoon and evening Concert is also planned.
- The GWSI faculty will perform Monday afternoon.
- Student soloists for the Tuesday-Thursday afternoon recitals are nominated by master class teachers.
- Any student can sign up to perform Thursday evening either as a soloist or as a member of a self-organized group.
- Chamber Music and Fiddling students are invited by their teachers to give a luncheon performance on Friday.
- Students participating in Preparatory, Beginning and Reading Orchestra Classes as well as Book 1 Repertory Classes are scheduled to perform in Friday afternoon concert
- Students participating in intermediate and Advanced Orchestra Classes and Book 2 and Up Repertory Classes are scheduled to perform in the Friday evening concert.
Students are encouraged to attend these stimulating events, even when they are not scheduled to perform. Recitals and the concerts are optional for very young students, if they are not up to a full day of classes.
Practice rooms are available on a sign-up basis for students who wish to take advantage of them during their free periods. Sign-up sheets are posted on practice room doors.
Download a Thursday Evening Informal Recital Request Form here.
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.
Violin and Cello Program students should also be prepared to play the pieces selected for their group repertory classes.