Symphony Academy Session
June 25 - July 7, 2012
About the Birch Creek Symphony Program
Birch Creek's program is unique in symphony and chamber music education in that it incorporates a student/mentor approach in virtually every aspect of training. Students rehearse and perform alongside their teachers, receiving an abundance of personal attention. In such a nurturing environment, students progress at an amazing rate. Six public performances of four completely different orchestral programs are given over the two-week session. Consequently, students develop excellent practice habits and rehearsal skills.
Areas of Study
Repertoire
A mixture of standard orchestral literature and light classics is rehearsed and performed. A partial list of major works for 2011 includes Shostakovich - Symphony No. 5, Debussy - La Mer, and Elgar - Enigma Variations.
Orchestra Rehearsals
(2-4 hours daily depending on performance schedule and repertoire)
Sectionals
(1 hour daily) In classes of like instruments, students learn from experienced faculty how to prepare difficult orchestral passages in a short time for the next rehearsal or concert.
Chamber Ensembles
(1 hour daily) Students experience another facet of the professional musician's life with chamber ensemble performance opportunities during concert preludes and intermissions.
Specialized Classes
(2 hours daily) Technique, theory, and seminars on topics pertinent to the music profession round out the weekly schedule.
Note: Prospective applicants should refer to the Suggested Symphony Repertoire Levels on the Application Forms Page
For detailed admissions information, including AUDITION RECORDING REQUIREMENTS, go to the Admission Procedure page.
Program Director: Ricardo Castañeda
Principal Oboe; Chicago Sinfonietta, Lake Forest Symphony, Professor of Oboe at Northern Illinois University, DeKalb.
Conductor: Brian Groner
Music Director, Fox Valley Symphony, Appletn, Wis.; Music Director, Harper Symphony Orchestra, Palatine, Ill. Click here to access the Director's blog for the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra.
Concertmaster: Robert Hanford
Concertmaster, Lyric Opera of Chicago.
