SCOR

I attended the Chesapeake SCOR! String Camp for Adults in Bel Air, MD.  It was loads of fun.

On the morning of first day, the chamber orchestra worked on bowing baroque style correctly. By the time we finished, the piece we were working on sounded pretty nice.

How to Play Chamber Music Reminders were expounded upon: 1) Begin together and end together, 2) Getting the right rhythm is more important than getting the right notes 3) Fake it,  4) Have fun.

After lunch Emily Wright gave a cello workshop on bowing.  That was followed by small group work -- I was the only cello with four violins.  We read through a bunch of easy stuff and then tackled a Handel Marche with the coach.  We returned to the performance track ensemble where we were introduced to Cajun, Scottish and Bluegrass styles for the last hour.

The second day, the chamber orchestra worked on pieces for two hours in the morning. Emily Wright gave a talk about "how to practice".  My group of 4 violins and one cello spent ninety minutes together.  We received coaching on gesturing and telegraphing rhythms.  Emily gave a Q&A to the cellists while the violins had a technique workshop.  After dinner, there was a chamber music free for all jam.  One of the violinists was also a flutist so we read through a Mozart Flute Quartet.

The last day, the chamber orchestra spent ninety minutes preparing a couple of pieces for the afternoon share recital.  It was followed by an optional music theory lesson.  It was pretty comprehensive.  My 4 violin group voted 3 to 2 not not share our Handel Marche with the rest of the musicians.  We played it just to ourselves.  It sounded pretty good.  Should have recorded it.

The final share was sweet and short. (the rule was no repeats allowed).   Even the beginners sounded good.  There was no wincing and suffering. The workshop closed up by 3pm and a good time was had by all.

Definitely doing SCOR! again.