FESTIVAL DATES: JULY 22 – AUGUST 5, 2018
ORCHESTRAL STUDY & PERFORMANCE
Marrowstone Music Festival provides students with intensive rehearsal and performance opportunities in three orchestras: the Marrowstone Philharmonic, the Marrowstone Festival Orchestra and the Marrowstone Chamber Orchestra. These orchestras rehearse daily, receive regular sectional coaching sessions from our distinguished faculty, and perform on Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Repertoire for the orchestras consists of a variety of standard and contemporary works from the symphonic literature.
All Pre-College, University, and Fellowship Division students are required to audition for orchestral placement on Sunday, July 23. Students will be placed in either Philharmonic or Festival orchestras based on demonstrated preparation level and the instrumentation balance of the ensembles. Orchestral placement audition material and directions for all instruments will be sent to students after acceptance.
CHAMBER MUSIC STUDY AND PERFORMANCE
Chamber Music study and performance is integral to the Marrowstone experience. Student ensembles rehearse and receive coaching sessions from our distinguished faculty every day. Opportunities to perform in student chamber music ensembles are available to all students. Chamber music groups are assigned by our faculty based on participants’ age and ability. Student chamber music performances are held on Friday evenings.
MASTER CLASSES AND ELECTIVES
Marrowstone faculty members present several master classes every weekday over the course of the two week festival. Information on participating in master classes is provided in the student acceptance packet. Each year evening electives and symposiums are offered on a variety of topics, some of which have included: audition preparation, theory, ear-training, composing, and conducting.
PIANO PROGRAM
Student pianists at Marrowstone receive regular studio instruction on solo, orchestral, and chamber music repertory. They also receive daily chamber music coaching from non-pianist Marrowstone faculty, and participate in a piano master class. Pianists will be assigned to play orchestral piano, organ, harpsichord, or celesta parts, and will regularly accompany students in instrumental master classes. Pianists who are accepted into the Marrowstone program are generally comfortable with a fast-paced, intense learning environment, have excellent sight-reading skills, are comfortable playing in an orchestral ensemble and have some prior chamber music experience.
FACULTY PERFORMANCES
The heart and soul of Marrowstone is our internationally-acclaimed faculty; members of the world’s most distinguished symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles, opera companies, and conservatories. These legendary performers and teachers are featured artists on our Thursday evening faculty chamber music series. Students have the opportunity to attend Faculty Chamber Music rehearsals and performances free of charge.
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Located in picturesque Bellingham, WA on the campus of Western Washington University, Marrowstone enjoys spectacular summer weather. Organized daily activities such as Capture the Flag, our swing dancing party and chamber music ice cream cabaret evening, ultimate frisbee and more are available to all students in all divisions.