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Home SUMMER PROGRAMS Mark O'Connor/Berklee College of Music Summer String Program

Mark O'Connor/Berklee College of Music Summer String Program

June 24–28, 2013

What's the program like?

The Mark O’Connor/Berklee College of Music Summer String Program provides a unique opportunity to learn from 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.

This comprehensive summer string program offers the choice of intermediate and advanced instruction on violin, viola, cello, and double bass from leading performers and educators; instruction for beginning and intermediate students using the O’Connor Method; and teacher training on the O'Connor Method. The program also will include student concerts, faculty concerts, and nightly jamming in addition to daily classes.

You can choose one of the following tracks:

  • Mark O'Connor/Berklee College of Music Summer String Program is open to string players at an intermediate or advanced level—as well as to professional musicians and teachers.
  • O'Connor Method will offer string education for young string players in grades one through eight on violin, viola, cello, and double bass.
  • Teacher Training Program will prepare professional string teachers to teach the O'Connor Method (Books I, II and Orchestra Method).

Who are the instructors?

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

This year's guest instructors include:

Berklee Faculty

Note: Visiting artist faculty are 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. Students under the age of 15 attending the program accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other family member will need to make their own housing arrangements. 

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 20 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 2013 marks the third time the camp is being held in Boston.

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