The Summer Music School@PMP

Summer 2008: June 19 to August 3

The Summer Music School@PMP is an intensive six-week summer residency program serving approximately 37-38 exceptionally gifted students, ages 12 to 18, drawn from all over the world. Under the dedicated guidance of Toby and Itzhak Perlman and an outstanding faculty of teachers of violin, viola, cello, bass, piano and chorus, PMP offers the finest instruction, coaching and mentoring that can be found anywhere. The faculty-student ratio is nearly 1:3.

At 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.

Practice Rules: Everyone practices each morning, by themselves, four 50 minute hours, 6 days a week beginning at 8:30 and ending at 12:30. We are strict about this rule, it is set in stone

Private Lessons: Each student is entitled to 1 private lesson per week however lesson schedules (including additional lessons with the teaching assistant) are designed by the individual teacher.

Studio Class: Studio class takes place once a week.

Chamber Music: Merry Peckham, coach
All students participate in chamber music. Groups receive several coachings per week. All groups have the opportunity to perform

Contempoaray Music: Patti Monson, coach
All students participate in the contemporary music program in chamber music as well as orchestra. Students have the opportunity to perform works they have studied

Chorus: Patrick Romano, chorus master
Everyone (including faculty) sings in chorus. Recent works performed: Brahms requiem, Bach Mass in b minor.

Orchestra: Itzhak Perlman, conductor
Orchestra meets 3 evenings a week. The orchestra performs several times during the summer

Performance Opportunity: Concerts take place on Friday and Saturday evenings in the PMP performance tent. Everyone has the option of performing but it is not required.

Students develop social skills and learn to share the spotlight with others in this 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 these serious students a break from the intense practice and music making, and incorporating play that lets them be the children they are. Every student is assigned chores.

Faculty

Rachel Calin, double bass
Heidi Castleman, viola, The Juilliard School
Catherine Cho, violin, The Juilliard School
Yi-Fang Huang, piano
Inyoung Huh, piano
Ron Leonard, cello, Colburn School of Music
Giora Schmidt, violin, Starling Fellow at The Juilliard School
Patti Monson, flute, Director of TACTUS, Manhattan School of Music
Merry Peckham, chamber music, Director of Chamber Music Workshop@PMP
Itzhak Perlman, violin, conductor, The Juilliard School
Toby Perlman, Director
Patrick Romano, chorus master, Riverdale School, The Juilliard School
John Root, piano, The Juilliard School

Selection of Participants and Fees

The application process for The Summer Music School@PMP involves an application form, a VHS/DVD application tape containing two contrasting movements, teacher recommendation, an application fee and a scholarship letter of request if financial aid is needed. These are due on January 15, 2008.

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@PMP 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. Students last year came from eight countries and ten states.

The Board of Trustees and Senior Management