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Photo focusing on two students playing the cello on stage with a group of students playing other stringed instruments behind them.

String Crossings Camp

4/9/20 Update: Due to the COVID-19 crisis and concerns for the health and safety of participants, all Belmont summer music programs have been canceled for Summer 2020. We look forward to hosting the next event in summer 2021.

June 14-19, 2020  2020 Summer Camp Cancelled

String Crossings is a week-long camp where students can study classical, jazz, rock, celtic, swing, and bluegrass. Students have the opportunity to study with Belmont's world renowned faculty in group classes to learn multiple genres and learn from their expertise in a small ensemble in the genre of your choice. The small ensemble concludes the week with hands-on experience in a Nashville recording studio. Students also participate in an orchestra, learn improvisation techniques, enjoy faculty performances, and immerse themselves in a fun week of making music with new friends. The week concludes with a concert showcasing the orchestra and small groups.

Click here to listen to a music sample of previous camp participants!

Apply

Click here to apply

String Crossings is open to all students who play violin, viola, cello, or string bass in grades 9-12 (including incoming freshman and graduating seniors).

 

Questions?

Browse information on this webpage, consult our String Crossings FAQ document, and email the camp director at stringcrossings@belmont.edu with any questions!

Students playing the cello.Why String Crossings?

  • Meet other students who share similar passions
  • Learn basics in various genres from Belmont Faculty
  • Perform in an advanced orchestra
  • Study and perform in a genre specific small group
  • Learn and perform in a classical master class setting
  • Learn improvisation techniques for various genres
  • Learn how to "chop", play chords,
  • Record in a famous Nashville recording studio
  • Build relationships and study with Belmont Faculty
  • Ask direct questions about careers as a musician during a faculty panel
  • Learn about the Belmont admission and audition process
  • Experience what life is like as a string student on Belmont University's campus

Typical Daily Schedule

  • Breakfast
  • Group Class 1 (class by instrument in classical, jazz, rock, or fiddle)
  • Group Class 2 (class by instrument in classical, jazz, rock, or fiddle)
  • Lunch
  • Small Groups (Coached by a Belmont faculty member in a genre of your choice)
  • Orchestra (classical repertoire and alternative styles)
  • Dinner/Free Time
  • Jam Session (led by Belmont faculty and Belmont students)
  • Faculty Concert (featuring a different style each night

Faculty

Successful "A-List" musicians who have full schedules recording and teaching in the Nashville area and touring with artists around the world. Learn more about the camp faculty here with their links below:

Classical Violin and Artistic Camp Co-Director - Elisabeth Small
Commercial Violin/Viola and Artistic Camp Co-Director - Ryan Joseph
Classical Violin - Veronica Joines
Classical Violin - Maria Conti
Classical Viola - Sarah Cote
Classical Cello - Carmine Miranda
Classical Bass - Craig Nelson
Orchestra Conductor- Robert B. Gregg
Commercial Violin - Billy Contreras
Commercial and Electric Violin - Tracy Silverman
Commercial Bass - Roy Vogt

All camp counselors and faculty have received a background check and minor training prior to employment.

Required Materials for Application:

  • General Application Information (name, address, contact info, etc.)
  • Small Group Preferences
  • General Music Info (your background, repertoire list, previous experience)
  • Classical Placement Video (required)
  • Genre Placement Video (This 2nd video is encouraged but optional)
  • Emailed Recommendation Letter (from private teacher or orchestra director)
  • Selecting Resident Camper or Commuter Camper
  • Nonrefundable deposit of $100 (major credit and debit cards accepted)

Once all the elements of a student’s application have been received, camp staff will review the application and notify the student of acceptance within three weeks by email. This email will contain further instructions to complete registration, submit required release forms, and payment details.

A note about Small Groups:

All students are placed into one Small Group (3 to 7 students). These Small Groups expand on techniques in a certain genre such as Classical, Jazz, Fiddle/Bluegrass, or Rock/Pop. They rehearse every day, prepare a piece to record in the studio, and perform at the final concert. Think of this as a focus for the week. Feel free to try something new! The next question refers to which genre of Small Group you would like to be in for the week of camp. We try to honor as many first choices as possible, however due to instrumentation we sometimes have to use a student's second choice.

A Note about the Placement Videos:

We require to see a video (2nd video is optional) of you performing. A video shot on your phone is completely acceptable as long as we can clearly hear and see you play. These can be submitted by posting a URL (DropBox or GoogleDrive are preffered. Private YouTube links are acceptable) or by mailing us a flashdrive which will be returned during camp.

Videos may be accompanied or unaccompanied. Please perform a short excerpt and edit the performance to be 2-3 minutes long. Let these videos represent your best work! This will be used to evaluate each camper’s playing ability, determine small group placement, and determine orchestra seating. If you have no experience with styles outside of classical playing but would like to participate in another genre, that is not a problem! We can place you based upon your classical excerpt. We are able to meet the needs of a wide range of playing experience at String Crossings, so please don’t be intimidated by this recording requirement. We just want to hear your best in order to provide the best possible experience for you at camp.

A Note about the Recommendation Letter:

Please have your private teacher or orchestra director email a brief recommendation letter that highlights your strengths as a musician as well as what you could learn by attending String Crossings Camp. Have them email this letter to stringcrossings@belmont.edu

2020 Cost

Resident Camper: $850 (Dorm Accommodations)

By selecting this option, a student will be referred to as a “resident camper.” Dorm accommodations are provided for resident campers only. Each hall will be supervised by String Crossings counselors and Residence Life staff. Security is a priority. Students will be charged for lost keys. Roommates will be assigned randomly by gender unless roommate requests are indicated on the application form. Dorms are available from check-in (1:30pm) on Sunday until check-out (9pm) on Friday.

Includes dorm accommodations, all meals (in the Johnson Center Dining Hall), classes, master classes, recording session, rehearsals, faculty concerts, evening recreational activities, final Friday concert, and a String Crossings T-shirt.

Commuter Camper: $650 (No Dorm Accommodations):

By selecting this option, a student will be referred to as a "commuter camper" and will have a strict sign-in and sign-out policy monitored by camp staff. Attendance for all camp events, including evening events, is mandatory. Students may be dropped off between 8:00 and 8:15am and picked up at 8:45pm.

Includes all meals (in the Johnson Center Dining Hall), classes, master classes, recording session, rehearsals, faculty concerts, evening recreational activities, final Friday concert, and a String Crossings T-shirt.

Discounts/Scholarships

Early Bird Discount - $50 off tuition – Apply by Early Bird deadline, April 1.

Scholarships – Due to the high cost and great value of our camp, we are unable to offer any scholarships at this time. Please consider taking advantage of our discounts by applying early.

Still have questions? Consult our String Crossings FAQ document or email the camp director at stringcrossings@belmont.edu