SUMMER CAMP 2025

Format   Prerequisites   Instrumentation   Previous Rep   Reviews

Registration is Now Open! Deadline: June 27, 2025

 

2025 Sasquatch Strings Quartet Camp @ Marsh Music Studio

Music Director:  Jane Melin – Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (Violin), Melin Music Studio. A private violin, viola and beginning piano teacher in North Kitsap since 2005, Jane is an experienced BIYO and Home School Strings ensemble director and coach; former church choir director; and assistant concertmaster and 28-year member of Bremerton Westsound Symphony first violin section.

Marsh Music Studio instructors and professional musicians Terry and Tracie Marsh are highly experienced at running summer camps for young musicians. Their studio space includes a large-group meeting area for ensemble rehearsals and concerts, and break-out studios for smaller groups. Their wooded location in Poulsbo is perfect for outdoor rehearsals too.

Camp Format

July 7-11 — 5 days of 3-hour sessions, 9:30 to 12:30. Location: Marsh Music Studio, 4645 NE Rova Road, Poulsbo
We will learn several pieces in different styles to perform at the end of the week (12:00-12:30 Friday) with a potluck lunch.

Camp Prerequisites

Student age range: High school, collegiate, and mature junior-high students (age 14 and up, younger with instructor recommendation) — some of their time will be self-directed.
This camp is for Violin, Viola and Cello students at intermediate to advanced levels. Skills required will be what is necessary to play mature quartet repertoire by composers like Mozart, Beethoven and Schumann. All players must be able to sight-read rapid 16th notes, accidentals, and complex rhythm patterns (dotted combinations, triplets, compound meters etc.) in many different key signatures, while listening to players around them to create ensemble.

  • 1st Violins must be able to play up to 5th position.
  • 2nd Violins must be fluent at least up to 3rd position with occasional reaches to harmonics.
  • If all violinists’ abilities are comparable, players will rotate between 1st and 2nd parts. Placement is at the discretion of the music director.
  • Violists may need to read and play some notes in treble clef.
  • Viola parts can be given to advanced violinist(s) who would like to work on playing in alto clef “by immersion” on a viola. Arrangements must be made to procure violas if students do not already own one. If there are no violists, a 3rd Violin part will be created from the Viola part.
  • Cellists may need to read and play notes in tenor and treble clefs. If necessary, parts may be modified to stay in bass clef.
  • Additional practice or a lesson with your private teacher will be highly encouraged between camp sessions! Time will not allow for individual instruction on technique during camp.

It will be very helpful for the instructor (but not mandatory if numbers are low) to provide a recommendation from the student’s private teacher and a video of the student performing a current piece of solo or orchestra repertoire that shows their ability level. Upload your video (with privacy settings to Unlisted) to YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, Dropbox, or other shareable location, and send the link for viewing it to Jane Melin, jane@melinmusicstudio.com.

Camp Capacity and Instrumentation Required

Minimum participation for camp viability:  3 violins (or 2 violins, 1 viola) and 1 cello. A camp comprised of just 4 violins could also go forward, with adjustments made to the literature to be studied.
Maximum capacity:  15 students in two to three 4-part groups; group makeup will be determined by available instruments and ability levels. (The limitations will mainly be determined by the number of cellists who can participate.) If enrollment is on the larger side, one or more pieces will be learned in a combined chamber ensemble, aiming to be self-directed by the end of the week.
If more than 15 students apply for the camp, admission may be by video audition, together with creating the optimum combination of instruments.

Tuition and Application

Tuition: $300 per student, including sheet music supply and a T-shirt. Students will need to bring a 3-ring binder and pencil; music stands will be provided.
Apply by June 27. Address questions about the camp to jane@melinmusicstudio.com.

2024 Repertoire

Phoebe in the Green Hall – Peter Winkler
Scherzo from String Quartet No. 1 – Robert Schumann
Pavane – Gabriel Fauré
Over the Rainbow – Harold Arlen
Night Music of the Streets of Madrid – Luigi Boccherini
Serenata – Michael McLean

–Reviews-


2024 Quartet Camp

“C. had a wonderful time at the camp, and she would definitely be interested in participating again. We felt that you did an excellent job with this camp and that you thought of everything. The shirts were a nice touch, the socializing after the concert with a light lunch was enjoyable, the pool party was super fun and having the girls choose a camp name was very creative.”

Jane Melin ensemble coaching

“Jane has shown herself to be a gifted teacher and an inspiration to her students as she taught the Home School Strings Advanced Class. Jane worked for two hours each week with a group of about 20 strings players. She selected repertoire for the class, perfected the pieces, and ultimately performed them in concerts. She also spent time each week teaching technique. I personally always enjoyed listening to her class perform in concert because she selected a variety of music appealing to many musical tastes, and it was always executed very well.

I have also observed Jane as a private violin teacher and have been impressed with her ability to inspire her students to excellence.”

–Kitsap Home School Strings Administrator

“Thank you for being such an amazing teacher. I have really enjoyed the pieces we’ve played this year.”

–Ensemble Student

“Thank you for investing in our class. Your teaching style and technical knowledge are wonderful!!”

–Ensemble Parent