Summer Woodwind Workshop

When and where?

The Kammermusik workshop will be held in the Sunrise Springs Inn and Retreat (on the southwest side of Santa Fe). The dates are from Sunday July 13 to Saturday July 19 2008. Sunday 13 will be arrival and registration from 2 p.m., with "pickup groups" starting right away, a concert by the coaches before dinner, an introductory meeting and some organized playing in the evening. We hope you'll arrive early enough to get your chops in shape and your fingers flying! There will be a private concert on Friday evening and a public concert in Santa Fe on Saturday July 19. We leave after breakfast on Sunday 20 July.

Sunrise Springs is a lovely "campus" resort in large grounds, with two accommodation blocks, hot tubs, a swimming pool, walking trails, a gourmet restaurant and good conference facilities. There are pleasant and quiet roads nearby for walking or cycling.

Who can attend?

The workshop is intended for adult musicians of intermediate to advanced standards and all ages. We have people from 18 to 75+. We require that you take our self-grading test so that we may check your suitability and allocate groups effectively (see below). The workshop is not suitable for beginners. Read some comments from previous participants.

It is essential for the workshop to have reasonably balanced numbers on each instrument. We have the following policy for 2008:

1. We have a limit of 8 players for quintet groups on each of flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and horn. This is determined by coaching and rehearsal room availability.

2. We have one or two places for pianists with excellent sight reading and accompaniment skills.

3. We will be forming up to 8 full wind quintets, two of which may be combined in a decet. We may ask people to substitute (e.g. bass clarinet for bassoon) to balance the groups but we will ask them in advance. We prefer to keep the groups the same throughout the week, but may make rearrangements of the groups or their timing if we judge it to be in the best interests of the workshop.

4. For people who prefer smaller groups, or those who register after the groups are formed we may be able to arrange duos, trios or quartets.

Applicants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis provided they meet the qualifications. Clarinet and flute places usually fill up very quickly.

What is the accommodation like?

The primary accommodation is in the "Garden Rooms" in one of two blocks, with two twin beds or a king bed. These may either be shared or booked as large single rooms. You may pick a roommate by agreement or we may be able to find you one. The rooms are good hotel standard, with TVs, ensuite bathrooms and balconies. The group discount rate is $139.86 single occupancy and $143.16 double (including 10.125% tax) per night. Seven "Pond View" rooms, which are smaller and more spartan single rooms (double bed or daybed, shower instead of bath, no TV) are also available at $98.01 including tax per night. Luxurious independent casitas are also available at $181.71 (single) and $187.21 (double) per night (a rollaway bed can be provided for a third person at extra cost).

Accommodation selections are to be booked directly by the participants with Sunrise Springs. Call Registration and make your arrangements, quoting Kammermusik Workshops to secure the discount rate. If you wish to share a room, and you have an agreed roommate, please ensure that only one of you does the booking. If you wish to share but do not have a roommate, let the registration desk know and the Workshop will try to match you up with a roommate. You must make your booking by 17 June 2008 to be assured of a room at the Kammermusik rate.

Sunrise Springs Inn and Retreat, 242 Los Pinos Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507; Telephone: 505.471.3600; Fax: 505.471.7365; Toll Free: 800.955.0028

Contact: reservations@sunrisesprings.co

What do we play each day?

The whole ensemble begins daily with a whole-group session run by one of the coaches focusing on issues such as ensemble, intonation and exercises played by ear. During these sessions the group also works on a performance piece for the final concert.

In the first part of the week we next have instrument sectionals, working both on technique and equipment, and on ensemble works such as clarinet and flute choir. Bring the alto and bass variants of your instruments if you have them!

About half the morning is taken up with coached rehearsals in quintets, or other small ensembles. All of these should play in the final concert.

In the early afternoons there are individual lessons. Everybody gets a one-hour private lesson during the week.

Many informal "pickup" groups spring up during the week to play through old favorites or music that is new to them.

We help to organize new members into these groups on the first day. There is usually one New Members' Ensemble playing a large wind work such as a nonet, and this year we will be organising smaller groups also. Though designed to help new members get off to a good start, all members may ask to join these groups by request on the registration form, and they will be included if practicable.

Just before dinner each day we have a playthrough of large ensemble pieces in which participants play along with the coaches. A sign-up sheet will be available for this activity if you wish to participate.

We give two concerts. First, on the Friday night we play pieces from the "pickup" groups to each other. On the Saturday night, we give a public concert in the United Unitarian Fogelson Hall in Santa Fe, in which everyone plays in a large ensemble work, the coached groups present their works, a few pieces are selected from the Friday performances, and the coaches perform a wind quintet.

What coaching do we get?

Superb! There are professional coaches for each wind instrument. In addition to the large ensemble sessions, there are sectional lessons, coached quintets and other ensembles, and individual lessons in the afternoons. An individual one-hour lesson isincluded in the price of the course, and others may be arranged with the coaches at discounted rates. A major aim of the lessons is to give players an individual "recipe" for improving their playing during the coming year through a daily half-hour practice session.

Am I good enough?

You should take the KMW self-grading survey. We ask applicants who have not been before to complete this survey so that we can organize appropriate groups. You don't need an audition and the workshop isn't just for virtuosi, though it is helpful if new members wish to send a recording of their playing or a reference from a teacher or coach. We provide a library of public domain wind works on our private attendees' web page so that you can get the maximum out of the workshop by practising typical music beforehand.

Can I bring a guest?

Yes. Several partners came in previous years and commented on the friendly atmosphere. Guests pay the same rates for accommodation and meals, and do not pay any fees.

I'm a pianist ...

We need one or two keyboard players for the many fabulous piano+winds works, and many players like to have the chance of working through solo or duet works with piano during the week. You will pay a reduced fee. We have one studio acoustic and two or three digital instruments available during the week and a full grand piano for the Saturday concert.

How much will it cost?

Other meal packages may be possible if requested in advance to the Treasurer.

It's good value but I still can't afford it!

We have a financial aid program to help people attend if we are short of particular instruments. We typically award a few "scholarships" in the $200 - $500 range. We use these to balance the orchestration and in cases of financial need. These are supported by corporate and private donations. You must apply for a scholarship, by email to the president, by March 15 2008 if you wish to be considered. No scholarships will be awarded before that date (other than in exceptional circumstances).

Registration requires $100 deposit and completion of the online registration form by May 1 2008 (though most instrument groups will be full by this date). The form will be available on Nov 1 2007. Feel free to email the President if you have any questions. If you do not get a reply within three days your email or registration has gone astray - please resend it or email another member of the Board.

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This page updated November 1 2007.