Englewood — When violinist Amelia Gold started the Elisabeth Morrow School Summer String Festival 13 years ago, she wanted to give children across the country an experience she never had — a unique mixture of in-depth music training paired with a fun-filled summer day camp.
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JOE CAMPOREALE/ SUBURBANITE
Amelia Gold instructed her young string musicians during practice on Aug. 8 as family and friends get a preview what is to come at the Summer String Festival.
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From Aug. 18-22, more than 200 violinists, cellists, harpists, violists and bassists from 4 to 13 years old will join together to rehearse and perform during a five-day intensive program.
Music director for the festival and orchestra teacher at the school, Gold explained how the kids are chosen.
"In April we had close to 400 kids audition for this summer’s festival," she said. "We held auditions at the Manhattan School of Music and the Elisabeth Morrow School, and ended up choosing 239 kids. I believe we are one of the only music programs in the country offering a full camp experience to this age group."
One-third of the children who are picked hail from under-served communities and receive scholarships and financial aid funded by private donations from individuals and foundations in the community.
If a child is accepted, Gold and others running the program do all they can financially to make sure the child can attend.
"It’s unusual for a program like ours to give scholarships to 5-year-olds," she said. "But in order to reach a certain level, the younger they start the better."
A team of highly trained faculty and 60 returning String Festival alumni provide the students with individualized training. All program counselors have been students for at least six years and seven faculty members are past counselors, exemplifying their commitment to this special community.
The days run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. and about four-and-a-half hours a day are spent on music.
Unlike most other music camps, the children are busy with other things when they aren’t perfecting their instrumental skills. In addition to practicing and performing, the day is broken up into numerous activities like sports, art and drama.
A unique workshop called "Journey in Sound" will be offered Aug. 19, where the children will be introduced to a variety of world music instruments and be able to try them out. Jonathan Strasser, world famous music conductor of the Interschool Orchestra of New York and conductor in the MGM movie "Fame," will hold workshops throughout the day Aug. 20.
The festival will conclude Aug. 22 with a performance by the 239 students and their counselors and teachers of "Canon in D" by Pachelbel in a "gala finale."
"This festival is a treat for kids who have worked hard for many months," said Gold. "The faculty and counselors are tuned in to the message of what the festival is truly about – music, fun, love and kids."
E-mail: driggs@northjersey.com or call 201-894-6709
