National Philharmonic Education Programs (North Bethesda, MD)

National Philharmonic Summer String Institute, 2023
25th Anniversary
Cathy Stewart, Director

Application Deadline Extended to June 7, 2023

National Philharmonic created its wildly successful Summer String Institutes in 1998 to nurture the skills and talents of young musicians and encourage their participation in classical music now and throughout their lives. This summer, join National Philharmonic principal players and other distinguished faculty for a challenging and exciting week of chamber and  orchestral music. Join us for a week long journey focused on enriching the orchestral, chamber, and solo musician. While Summer String Institute students work on ambitious repertoire to develop true professionalism, they also enjoy camaraderie and the adventure of creating great music.

Location: Rockville Unitarian Universalist Congregation
100 Welsh Park Drive, Rockville, MD 20852
Session 1: July 17 - 21, 2023
                   Concert, July 21, 4:00
Session 2: July 24 - 28, 2023
                   Chamber Concert, Friday, July 28 @1:00
                   Orchestra Concert, Friday July 28 @ 4:00
Session 3: July 31 - August 4, 2023
                  Chamber Concert, Friday, August 4 @ 1:00
                  Orchestra Concert, Friday, August 4 @ 4:00

Application & Fees

Deposit: $250, paid upon submission of application. Used toward final tuition balance.
Application Fee: $30, paid upon submission of application

Attending 1 Session
Early-bird Tuition: $750 until May 15, 2023.
Standard Tuition: $800 on or after May 16, 2023.

Attending Multiple Sessions
2 sessions: $700 per session, $1400 total. After deposit paid, $1150 balance remaining.
3 sessions: $700 per session, $2100 total. After deposit paid, $1850 balance remaining.

Videos uploaded must include excerpts for all sessions a students wishes to attend.

Session 1
Grades 6 - 12
July 17 - 21, 2023, 9:00-5:00 daily
Pop Goes the Creativity!
Developing musical skills through Creativity, Improvisation, Movement, Theory, Sight Reading and Orchestra. Repertoire will include Pop Music, Show Tunes, Classical music, and music from around the world. No Chamber Music, no Private Lesson in this session.
There will be an Orchestra concert Friday, July 21, @ 4:00.
Grades 6-12
Conductor: Yoshi Horiguchi


Session 2
July 24 - 28, 2023, 9:00-5:00 daily
Grades 6 - 9
World Music ALIVE!
Developing Chamber Music
We will be developing skills to play in Chamber Music Ensembles and play in Orchestra. We will be increasing skills with Movement, Theory Sight Reading, Chamber Music Coaching, Orchestra rehearsals and 2 Private lessons.
There will be a Chamber Music Recital, Friday, July 28 @ 1:00 and an Orchestra Concert on Friday,July 28 @ 4:00
Conductor: Veronica Jackson


Session 3
July 31- August 4, 2023, 9:00-5:00 daily
Grades 9 - 12
Music Moves You!
Advanced Chamber Music
We will be studying advanced Chamber Music and Orchestral repertoire.  To increase skills we will be studying Theory, Sight Reading, Movement, Chamber music coaching, Rehearsal techniques, Orchestra sectionals, Orchestra rehearsals and have 2 Private lessons. 
There will be a Chamber Music Recital, Friday, August 4 @ 1:00 and an Orchestra Concert, Friday, August 4 @ 4:00.
Conductor: Veronica Jackson

Application Information
Please submit 1 video as part of the application process.  You do not have to play all the excerpts in one take, but all excerpts must be combined into a single video clip. Click on the "Resources" tab at the top of this page to download excerpts.  Only prepare excerpts for the Session(s) you wish to join.You will also need a recommendation from your teacher. The form is on the application. You may start the application, save, and submit the video anytime before the June 7, 2023 deadline.  No applications will be accepted after June 7, 2023
*Be sure to list the chamber music you have studied and part you played. This response is used to decide the piece and part you will study at SSI.*

Interns
Up to 40 hours of Student Service Learning Hours may be earned by Interning.  Interns may be asked to help with clerical work, assist teachers, assist chamber music rehearsals, play in orchestra or chamber groups.  Students must attend at least one session as a participant, in order to intern. You will also be asked to provide a letter of recommendation.

Refund Policy
There is a $30.00 non refundable application fee.
A $250.00 deposit is due upon application to SSI.  The deposit will be refunded if student is NOT accepted to SSI.
If the student is accepted, the deposit is non-refundable.
Students will be notified of acceptance within two week of submitting their application.
The tuition balance is due by May 31, 2023.
There are NO REFUNDS for any reason after May 31, 2023.

Scholarships
Need based scholarships are available

Faculty
Director: Cathy Stewart
Conductors: Veronica Jackson
                     Yoshi Horiguchi 
Movement: Isiah Johnson
Theory: Mark Pfannschmidt 
Improvisation: Mari Carlson
Sight Reading: Yoshi Horiguchi
                           T. Alan Stewart
Private teachers and Chamber Coaches: TBA

COVID: SSI 2023 will be following strict safety protocols per CDC guidelines, as well as MCPS and Rockville Unitarian Universalist Congregation mandates. All faculty will be vaccinated against COVID. Students are required to be vaccinated to attend SSI. If somehow COVID restrictions do not allow SSI to be live, then SSI will be cancelled and deposits refunded, minus application fees.  

All Sessions will take place at Rockville Unitarian Universalist Congregation at 100 Welsh Park Dr. 20852. There is ample parking. All performances will be held onsite.
For questions about NP's Summer String Institutes, please contact Cathy Stewart, Cathy@nationalphilharmonic.org 

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