Winter String Intensive
Deepen creativity and take your playing to the next level through 3 days of intensive online study with the Argus Quartet!
DECEMBER 28 - 30, 2020
A 3-day virtual workshop for violinists, violists, and cellists ages 14 - 19 looking to take your playing to the next level and deepen creativity through intensive and engaging instruction.
Also open to auditors! Find out more:
This workshop is for you if you are a young string player who is…
passionate about playing your instrument and ready to dig in even deeper.
interested in exploring your artistry through creative ways of approaching practicing and performing.
eager to strengthen your technique and musicianship in a supportive setting.
Do I need to audition?
Nope! When you apply, we will ask you to submit a recent video recording that you feel represents your current level. This is not an audition video — it’s just for us to get to know your playing before we work together!
Video: Maren describes how intensive workshops were essential in her early studies.
Video: Highlights from the 2020 Summer String Intensive.
What can I expect?
Each day, we will spend several hours together virtually: you’ll have private lessons, technique classes, creative workshops, and enrichment seminars exploring a variety of topics. As the name suggests, you can expect an “intense” experience… but we promise we’ll make it fun and by the end of the week you’ll have a wealth of new information to continue exploring on your own!
What Students Say:
“I wasn’t sure what to expect at a virtual music festival, but the energetic and knowledgeable members of the Argus Quartet made the experience very worth while! The intensive rekindled my excitement about practicing through multiple private lessons and masterclasses. The intensive was individualized for my specific goals as a musician, and the workshops helped me create polished Arts Supplement videos along with my college applications. Though the intensive was only five days, I grew immensely as a musician. ”
“The Argus Quartet’s Summer Intensive was my favorite thing that happened this summer. As someone who wants to pursue music, having a space that joined like-minded people was extremely helpful for me. On top of that, having daily lessons, masterclasses, and presentations about music (score study, college, practice, etc.) from the amazing Quartet members really helped me get a better understanding of myself, my instrument, and what I want to do going forward.”
“Being a part of the Summer Intensive was an amazing experience. As a violist, working with Maren was super helpful as she gave me key insights to improving the repertoire I was working on and my technique. In addition, working with each individual member of Argus opened the door to many different perspectives. The technique and enrichment classes were super interesting and helpful, and I still find myself using things that I learned. Lastly, I felt very comfortable interacting with everyone in the program. Every member of Argus as well as the students were all super supportive and friendly which made the experience so much better. Overall, I definitely recommend this program to any musician looking to improve and have a fun time.”
“The Summer Intensive challenged me and motivated me to be a better musician and listener in a non-competitive atmosphere. All the teachers were passionate about what they do and the small size of the group really enhanced the experience. I would definitely participate in the Intensive again and would recommend it to anyone looking for a compact week of fun and music!”
How much does it cost?
Tuition for the 3-day intensive is $300.
That’s $100 a day, or about $30 an hour. (Most hour-long private lessons range from $45-100 per hour!)
Spots are limited, and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Applications are now closed, but stay tuned for more info about our 2021 Summer String Intensive in Spring 2021!
FAQs
What is the difference between a “String Intensive” and normal weekly private lessons?
The String Intensive is meant to be an immersive and, yes, “intense” experience. Not only will you receive multiple private lessons with members of Argus - you’ll also have the benefit of being part of a group of talented and committed peers with whom you’ll have a unique shared experience. You’ll get to meet a variety of people and engage with a variety of perspectives from both the faculty and your fellow students.Will I have time to practice?
Yes, the mornings are free for you to practice. If you would like to reach out during this time, members of Argus will be available to answer questions, help you out of a rut, or offer support via Zoom or text.What if I have other prior commitments during the Intensive?
We ask that participants not miss more than one hour over the course of the 3-day intensive. If you’re very interested in participating but you’re not sure if you can commit to the full schedule, feel free to contact us and explain your situation, and we will work with you to determine if the String Intensive will be a good fit! In some cases, private lessons may be scheduled outside of their allotted times, and enrichment classes may be available via YouTube links following the live sessions.Will I have the same teacher throughout the week?
One of the goals of the String Intensive is for students to have opportunities to learn from as many people as possible. Each member of Argus has their own focus and approach to teaching. By having lessons and masterclasses with multiple teachers, you’ll expand your knowledge and grow your toolbox of exercises, techniques, and practice methods.What are enrichment classes/creative workshops? And what are they for?
Making music isn’t just playing the right notes in the right way. In order to take a piece of music to the next level and deepen our interpretations, we need to understand the piece’s background, theory, context, and much more. The same applies to the music industry and the lifestyle of a musician: it’s important not only to be able to perform pieces at a high level, but also to know how to navigate the music world in the 21st century. In the enrichment classes, we will look at questions like: How can I show up to a chamber music rehearsal as prepared as possible? How do I approach learning orchestral excerpts? Will music schools really look at my math grades?What are technique classes?
Let’s face it: there are some parts of playing a string instrument that are just downright hard! Throughout our lives as musicians, we often struggle, in our own way, with similar difficulties as one another. In these technique classes, we will work together and learn from each other, crowdsource favorite practice tips, and share inspiring exercises.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions we might have missed!