June 25 - 29, 2012
• • • •   What's the program like?
DeliciousDiggMySpaceRedditStumbleuponPrint

The Mark O’Connor/Berklee College of Music Summer String Program provides a unique opportunity to study with Mark O’Connor and some of the world’s leading string virtuosos and educators from the Berklee String Department and across the country. All participants will have the chance to explore in depth a wide variety of string styles, including folk, jazz, bluegrass, classical, old time, rock, Celtic, and more. During the program’s five days, string players study with instructors in small class settings, and explore new musical styles and techniques under expert guidance.

The program offers intermediate and advanced instruction on violin, viola, cello, double bass, and mandolin from leading performers and educators; teacher training on the O’Connor Method; and the O'Connor Method for beginning students. The program also will include student concerts, faculty concerts, and nightly jamming in addition to the classes each day.

You can choose one of the following tracks:

  • Mark O’Connor/Berklee College of Music Summer String Program will provide an opportunity for string players at an intermediate or advanced level—as well as professional musicians and teachers—to study with world-renowned string players and educators, including resident Berklee faculty.
  • O’Connor Method for Beginners will offer string education for young string players in grades one through six on violin, viola, cello, and double bass using the O’Connor Method (Books I and II) for beginning string players in grades one through six.
  • Teacher Training Program will prepare professional string teachers to teach the O’Connor Method (Books I, II and III). Upon completion of the program, participants will be certified to teach the O’Connor Method.

Who are the instructors?
Classes are taught by multiple Grammy–winner Mark O'Connor, Berklee String Department faculty, and stellar guest instructors.

Guest instructors

Berklee Faculty

Note: Visiting artist faculty subject to change.

Where will I eat and sleep?
Applicants who are 15 and older will be sent information and an application for residence hall housing once accepted to the program. Most program participants elect to stay in the Berklee residence halls; however, space is limited. To optimize your chances for on-campus housing, you must return the housing application immediately upon receiving it.

To be eligible to live in the residence hall, you must be 15 years of age by the start of the program. Residence hall housing is not offered to students younger than 15. If you apply to the program after mid-May, please call the Housing Office at 617 747-2292 to find out if residence hall space is still available.

Get a flavor for what to expect from the Mark O’Connor/Berklee College of Music Summer String Program by watching some brief videos:

Mark O’Connor created his first string camp 17 years ago in the hills of Tennessee, and student participation has grown steadily, with more than 350 students attending every year in various locations around the United States. The new Berklee program for 2012 marks the second time the camp is being held in Boston.