Quinton I. Morris PO Box 301197
Austin, TX, 78703-0020
General
The Young Eight String Seminar is a two-week accelerated chamber music program designed to educate, inspire and develop young string musicians in the field of classical music. It is held on the beautiful campus of The University of Texas at Austin and hosted by members of The Young Eight. The Young Eight is Americas only professional string octet and is dedicated to making classical music accessible to all people. It is through the String Seminar that The Young Eight is able uphold one of its principal goals: to educate and develop young musicians through chamber music. Sixteen students will be chosen by The Young Eight to participate in the two-week intensive String Seminar Program. Students will rehearse exclusively on music from the standard chamber music and string orchestra repertoire with members of The Young Eight. Daily coaching is geared towards learning the basic essentials of music making, rehearsal techniques and other musical obstacles. Students are placed in a chamber music group with at least one other member of The Young Eight, will receive private lessons, attend various seminars on musicianship and professionalism and participate in guest master classes. Students will also perform in an educational outreach concert in a local Austin community as an extension of The Young Eights efforts to bring awareness of classical music to young people. At the conclusion of the program, students will be presented in a chamber music concert with The Young Eight. Students accepted into The Young Eight String Seminar will receive, in advance, music to be performed during the String Seminar. Participants are expected to learn the music prior to the seminar and are encouraged to receive private lessons on their repertoire to ensure adequate preparation. Extra rehearsals and coaching may be available during the String Seminar to insure an adequate amount of preparation for a successful performance. Chamber groups and seating assignments are based on an evaluation of each students audition recording. Students will learn an entire chamber music work (trio, quartet, etc.) in the two week period and be expected to perform it at the conclusion of the String Seminar. A typical day for a student consists of private lessons, chamber music rehearsals, chamber orchestra, individual practice, sectionals and professional and musicianship seminar classes. An awards ceremony and student reception will follow at the conclusion of the String Seminar. Guest artists and lecturers this summer include the Mir String Quartet, Dr. Andrew DellAntonio (Baroque Historian), Sandro Cocco (Violinmaker) and Ann Permann (Career Services Specialist) among others.