Sonatina

Click here to view some helpful hints regarding a camper's stay

Click here to view the Summer Sonatina Concert Schedule

Q: What is included in the Summer Sonatina program fee?
A: Your fee includes dormitory-style accommodations and three meals per day for the length of the program, as well as a series of private lessons, music books, tickets to cultural events and all recreational activities. Two concerts are held each week and are open to the public, as well as friends and families. These concerts are recorded on CD and are available within days for a small fee.

Q: How many weeks of camp should I plan to attend?
A: The program runs for five weeks each summer. In order to get the full benefit of the program, we recommend that campers attend a minimum of two weeks.

Q: How many students attend each camp session?
A: To ensure students get the personal attention they need, camp is limited to no more than 42 students per week.

Q: How many faculty members are on staff?
A. At least 7 faculty members and 6 junior counselors are on staff each week.

Q: How many private lessons will I get during the camp?
A: Each student will receive 3 to 5 forty-five minute private lessons per week.

Q: How advanced do I have to be to attend SSIPC?
A: We welcome students of all levels. No audition tape is required. Students will receive private lessons at their individual level. The program is designed to be non-competitive; advanced students often marvel at how quickly the beginners learn. Beginners look forward to being able to interact with more advanced students and to play at an advanced level.

Q: How are students assigned to a particular teacher?
A: There are no “assigned” teachers. Instead, the program offers students the opportunity to learn from multiple teachers, each bringing their own insights and expertise. Faculty members teach in a supportive and encouraging style, coordinating comments and suggestions in the student’s assignment book.

Q: How are roommates assigned?
A: By gender and by age, according to the number of beds per room.

Q: Will my child have access to email during the summer?
A: Access to email will be available. Students are encouraged to bring their email addresses of friends and family members.

Q: What are the deadlines for registration?
A: Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis, with one week’s nonrefundable deposit required at the time of registration, and the balance due by May 15th. If you cancel with at least one month’s notice, we will apply your deposit/tuition to next year’s Summer Sonatina (less a cancellation fee of $100); otherwise your total deposit/tuition is forfeited. There is no refund for late arrivals or early departures.

Q: How are students transported to concerts and events off campus?
A: We contract a school bus company that supplies us with their own driver. All students are informed of riding rules before departure. A head count is always made before and after departure.

Q: Is there a doctor or nurse on the premises?
A: No. We are only 1.5 miles away from a medical center where we have doctors and nurses on call specifically for Summer Sonatina. Of course we make every effort to call and inform parents of an illness and/or emergency. If a student needs to take medications while in attendance, the medications will be placed in a cabinet and a faculty member will remind them when to take them.

Each student will receive a list of what to bring, arrival and departure times, and additional helpful information upon acceptance to the program.

Q: What is a typical day like at Summer Sonatina?

7:30 - 8:00 a.m. Arise, make beds and clean bedrooms
8:00 - 9:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Piano practice and/or private lesson
10:00 - 10:30 a.m. Do assigned chore for the day
10:30 - 12:00 p.m. Participate in recreational activities
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Supervised off-shift activity
2:00 - 2:50 p.m. Piano practice and/or private lesson
2:50 - 4:10 p.m. Summer Sonatina singers rehearsal
4:10 - 5:00 p.m. General music, theory or composition class
5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Piano practice and/or private lesson
6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Dinner
Evenings O u t d o o r sports, then evening events