8^th Annual Cello Workshop For Adults 
July 27^th to August 2^nd, 2008
Wilson College, Chambersburg, PA

WHAT IS THE CELLO WORKSHOP FOR ADULTS?

The Cellospeak Workshop for Adults is an intensive 6 day seminar – from Sunday to Saturday – for adult cellists from novice to proficient to share their love of the cello through playing, studying, and sharing experiences with the instrument.  Throughout the workshop the participants will better their technical skills, learn about ensemble playing, and experience their own and other’s performances.  The week includes five half hour lessons; daily coached quartets; group technique session (either elementary or advanced); special faculty topics on various aspects of playing the cello; performances by the virtuoso faculty as well as participants in solos and ensembles; and the all-inclusive cello choir of 60 voices.

WHERE IS IT HELD?

For the first time, the Cellospeak Cello Workshop for Adults will be held at the charming campus of Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. The natural beauty and historic elements of the 300 acre campus and surrounding community are central to the character of the carefully restored and handsome Victorian architecture of Wilson College. Participants will appreciate the comfortable air-conditioned accommodations, which include both large and small rehearsal and teaching rooms, beautiful lounges, a superb dining hall serving exquisitely prepared meals in buffet style, and single occupancy dormitory rooms with elevators to make cello carrying simple. Click here for directions and a map.

       Lenfest Commons at Wilson College

HOW MANY WILL ATTEND?

There will be a strict limit of 48 registrations allowed – because of the demands on the faculty and the facility.  Therefore, it is imperative that registrations are sent in as soon as possible to plan materials, repertoires and spaces.  Most of last year’s participants are returning for a second (or third, or fourth, or fifth) season.

WHAT TO BRING

Along with the music to be studied during the week, workshop participants need to bring their own folding music stand (preferably equipped with a battery operated stand light), floor anchor or rock stop, and if customarily used, a special bench or cushion.  Other useful items might include a portable fan for your sleeping room (not air conditioned), soap and all personal items, a favorite pillow if desired, an umbrella and jacket for possible bad weather, swim suit and towel, and walking shoes.  Clothing should be only casual attire, as summer shorts and slacks, and probably you will want to include a light weight robe when you travel the dormitory halls.  Any summer reading materials should also be brought from home because I don’t know if we will have access to the College library.

         It’s a good idea to come prepared by practicing frequently in the weeks before the workshop in order to prevent getting sore fingertips during this intensive experience.   Healthy and delicious meals are served buffet style in the beautiful dining room, but should you have special dietary needs, please let us know in advance so we can advise the food preparation staff.  Their menus always include an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as deliciously prepared “specials” of the day.  Any other indulgences, like late night snacks, are the responsibility of the guests, although the Cellospeak staff will be holding “after-hours” gatherings with refreshments in one of the lounges after the final sessions every day.  For these you are welcome to bring favorite CD’s or DVD’s to share with the group.

AMENITIES

All of the spaces that will be used for the workshop are in a sequence of buildings (with connecting corridors) that are within a 2 or 3 minute walk.  In addition, there will be six reserved practice rooms available for quartet rehearsals in the separate Music School Building which is again only 2 minutes away.  Although there is an exquisite auditorium which can hold up to 600 people, equipped with fine Steinway pianos, we probably will opt to hold both our rehearsals and performances in a less formal setting.

         While at Wilson, relaxation and recreation may be yours with long walks around the safe campus – or by taking advantage of nearby tennis courts.  Use of the swimming pool requires special arrangements between the College and Cellospeak, which may be made if enough people would care to have it available.  Special note:  Wilson College does not allow pets on the campus at any time.  However, guests are offered scenic and historical parks to visit as in the Gettysburg and Antietam battlefields and many opportunities for shopping, antiquing and golf are nearby.

THE DAILY SCHEDULE

Special opening sessions will begin with midday lunch on Sunday at 12:00.

Then opportunities to meet with your quartet coach and private instructor are followed by the initial choir rehearsal and special faculty recitals.  The schedules for Monday through Friday will include:

7:30 – 8:30                Breakfast
8:30 – 9:20                Technique Classes (2)
9:30 – 10:50              Coached Cello Choir Sectionals (5)
11:00 – 12:30             Cello Choir
12:30 – 1:30              Lunch
1:30 – 2:30                Private lessons
2:30 – 3:30                Private lessons
3:30 – 5:00                Coached Quartets
5:00 – 5:30                Free time
5:30 – 6:30                Dinner
6:30 – 7:30                Faculty special presentations
7:30 – 9:00                Recitals

On Friday evening at 7:30 there will be an informal special Cello Choir presentation for guests and the public to demonstrate what we’ve done.   On Saturday morning the final participant quartets will perform before the closing activities and farewell lunch.