Camp Ocean Pines Summer String Workshop

  July 24-29, 2011

A great opportunity for the serious music student to spend five days this summer having fun and learning their craft in a beautiful location --- Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria, California. 

Maestro Michael Nowak and the San Luis Obispo Symphony are very pleased and proud to launch this new component to an already extensive music education program.  Young artists, ages 12-18, will be selected to join a distinguished faculty for a week of intensive string study combined with recreational and social activities in a gorgeous coastal location.  The five-day, five-night camp will combine chamber music instruction with fun summer activities, including nature hikes, campfires, films and evening concerts presented by the faculty.

Sample Schedule

The Summer String Workshop is designed for young musicians (approximately age 12-18) who are serious about their art and who wish to improve their skills, increase their knowledge of music and work with some of the best in business. A general schedule of the five-day camp is as follows:

• Morning:    Full string orchestra rehearsals, chamber groups, sectionals
• Afternoon:    Outdoor activities, individual practice time and private lessons
• Evening:    Social activities (films, evening concerts, dances, etc.)

Students will work hard, play hard and come away from the experience with new friendships, new skills and a renewed passion for playing their instrument.

Sponsored by:
El Colibri Hotel

Faculty

Michael Nowak
Conductor, Viola Coach

Michael Nowak has served as Music Director of the San Luis Obispo Symphony since 1984. During the past 26 years Maestro Nowak has succeeded in making the San Luis Obispo Symphony one of the foremost music organizations in San Luis Obispo County.  Nowak also maintains an active career as a recording musician and conductor in the motion picture industry.

He began his music education in the public school system in Warwick, R.I., where he learned violin, clarinet, and tuba. From ages 14-16 he spent his summers at New England Music Camp in Maine, and at age 17 was accepted at the Tanglewood Institute, summer home of the Boston Symphony. During his  college years, Michael attended the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara. All these experiences made a strong and lasting impression, and it is Michael's vision that the program at Camp Ocean Pines will have a profound effect on the next generation of musicians.

(Click here for a complete biography and film credits.) 

Jeremy Cohen
Violin Coach

Jeremy Cohen has received multiple GRAMMY® nominations for CDs he produced and recorded with Quartet San Francisco, a non-traditional string quartet he founded in 2000.  Most of their multi-genre material has been composed or arranged by Cohen who aspires to widen the repertoire available to modern string players. Cohen has performed as soloist with numerous orchestras including the Virginia Symphony, the California Symphony and the Reno Philharmonic. 

Click here for a complete biography

Andrew Duckles, Viola Coach

Formerly principal viola of the Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet orchestras, Mr. Duckles has made guest appearances as principal viola of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the Long Beach Symphony and the New West Symphony.  Andrew has been featured as a performer on television programs such as Saturday Night Live, The American Music Awards, The Grammys and the Tonight Show.

Anthea KrestonViolin Coach

Jason DucklesCello Coach

Jason Duckles has an active life as a soloist and chamber musician.  Jason has received numerous awards for his chamber collaboration, such as grand prize in the Concert Artists Guild Competition and top prize in the Munich ARD International Competition.  Jason is a founding member of the Amelia Piano Trio.  Jason has also been a member of the Avalon String Quartet, the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble, and has appeared frequently as the cellist for the Mark Morris Dance Group which tours throughout the United States and Europe.

Ken HustadBass Coach

Bassist/cellist Ken Hustad of Morro Bay is a member of the San Luis Obispo Symphony and Mozart Festival Orchestra in addition to playing with the Santa Barbara and Santa Maria Symphonies, the Cuesta Master Chorale, Pacific Reparatory Opera, the San Luis Obispo Vocal Arts Ensemble, the Cal Poly Baroque Orchestra, and in the Tolosa Strings quintet. He is a string coach for the San Luis Obispo Youth Symphony and bass and cello instructor at Cuesta College and Cal Poly. An active jazz musician, Ken plays with the Royal Garden Swing Orchestra, Cuesta’s Monday Night Big Band, San Luis Jazz Band and the Central Coast Jazz Quartet as well as the Cuesta Faculty Jazz Ensemble.

Audition Requirements

All string players are required to submit an audio cassette, cd or mp3 along with their application to the program.  This recording should include: a 3 octave scale for violin, viola and cello, 2 octave scale for bass, and two 2 minute selections of your choice, (with or without accompaniment) one demonstrating technical level (something fast) and one demonstrating interpretive ability (something slow and legato).   

Students must also print out and complete an audition registration
form and return the form and with a $25 audition fee to:

    San Luis Obispo Symphony
    PO Box 658
    San Luis Obispo, CA  93406

Click here to download a registration form
Or call (805) 543-3533 and we will send you a form

Click here to download a scholarship application
Or call (805) 543-3533 and we will send you a form
Applicants must reside in San Luis Obispo County  
 
Tuition

Tuition for the five-day camp is $595 and includes room and board at Camp Ocean Pines. Space is limited.  

Don't miss this great opportunity to study with some of the finest musicians on the West Coast today! Join us for the inaugural year of this unique program designed to give young artists the opportunity to focus on their craft while exploring the beauty of the Central Coast. 

Questions? 

Please contact Andrea at 543-3533 x103 or email staff@slosymphony.com with questions or for further information.