During the Summer Music School, students develop social skills and learn to share the spotlight with others in a non-competitive environment. Each element of the program is designed to foster excellent musicianship and a well-rounded experience, emphasizing accomplishments instead of pointing out mistakes. Activities include fun and games, giving students a break from the intense practice and music making. In addition, every student contributes to the well being of the general community through assigned dorm and kitchen chores.
While on Shelter Island, students practice their instruments four hours a day, take private lessons and group classes, play in chamber groups, orchestra and sing in chorus. In addition they discuss performance skills, examine performance anxiety and perform throughout the summer. Practicing: Everyone is required to practice for four hours each morning. Each student is assigned a practice room that is theirs to keep for the entire summer. In order to ensure that the practice time is both productive and focused, everyone follows the same schedule each day, practicing from 8:30 to 12:30 with a 10 minute break every hour.
Each student is entitled to one private lesson per week however lesson schedules (including additional lessons with the teaching assistant) are assigned by the individual teacher.
Studio class takes place once a week. These classes are led and organized by each instrument’s studio teacher and give students a chance to discuss performance related issues specific to their instruments.
Merry Peckham, coach
Violin, viola, and cello students are assigned a chamber music group at the start of the summer, and reassigned to a new group every two weeks. Groups rehearse regularly during the week and receive several coachings a week from coach Merry Peckham. In addition, every group is given a chance to perform. Chamber music opportunities for bass-players are not guaranteed.
D. Edward Davis, Composer in Residence and Director of Contemporary Music
Students participate in the contemporary music project as part of a chamber music group. There are also opportunities for young composers to have their pieces read and/or performed.
Patrick Romano, chorus master
Everyone in the PMP family (including faculty) sings in chorus. While we realize that our students are not trained singers, we believe that the skills associated with singing correlate directly to being a successful instrumentalist. In past summers, major choral works have been studied including: Brahms’s German Requiem, Bach’s Mass in b minor, Orff’s Carmina Burana, and Mozart’s Requiem.
Itzhak Perlman, conductor
The PMP String Orchestra meets several times during the week and performs on multiple occasions. Section seating in the orchestra is assigned randomly and is rotated with each movement. Performance Opportunity: Works in Progress Concerts take place on Friday and Saturday evenings in the PMP performance tent. Each student has the option of performing a solo work, but it is not required.
The committee of faculty members carefully reviews each tape and application. Every tape is seen and no decision is made until all the tapes have been processed.
The Summer Music School is need-blind. Scholarships are provided to those who could not attend without financial assistance. No deserving and qualified child is excluded due to financial circumstances. Tuition (which includes Room and Board fees) for the 2013 Summer Music School is $6,250.
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Students and faculty performing a skit during the Annual Family Concert
Legendary violinist, Robert Mann, giving a masterclass during his visit
The “Egg Toss” contest during the Carnival and Fair
