Credo Prelude at Gordon - String Program 2010 : August 1-7

Credo Prelude is an intensive and invigorating program that includes music study, service, and performance. It is open to string players age 12-17.

Credo students typically hail from across the nation and several foreign lands, and cover a wide variety of social and faith backgrounds. They are united in their common love for (and excellence in) chamber music performance.

2010 marks our inaugural offering in the Northeast!  SMI-Credo has been running educational programs on this model for 11 summers.

Credo students receive extensive daily coaching and mentoring with highly-acclaimed faculty.  Students are placed in chamber music and residential environments on a basis of musical achievement and social development (age).  While in residence at Gordon College, students enjoy excellent rehearsal, coaching and practice facilities, and many recreational opportunities offered on  Gordon’s park-like campus. It's a wonderful location to focus and grow.

Student Chamber Music Coaching / Performance

Each chamber group receives daily coaching and will be expected to perform several times during the week. Repertoire will be assigned and mailed to students in June, allowing them to master their individual parts before arriving. This advance preparation combines with Credo/Prelude’s carefully matched assignments to foster unparalleled growth as individuals and ensembles.

As an important part of Credo/Prelude’s mission of service, students devote Thursday to a variety of service activities. They share their special musical gifts in concerts at day-care centers, summer educational programs, nursing homes, and prisons (for pre-professional/college students). They also experience the joy of accomplishment in such tasks as park site preparation, cleaning homeless shelters, and community beautification projects. Each service day offers an opportunity for faculty and students to connect outside the confines of the practice room, and to develop a life-long passion for serving others with our art and being.

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Faculty

The Core faculty for Credo Prelude Gordon is the CREDO TRIO.

The CREDO TRIO:
            Karen Burgman, piano; chamber music
            Elizabeth Larson, violin; Biola University
            Steuart Pincombe, cello; Apollo's Fire

Brian Weibe, Residential Director/Large Ensemble conductor; Goshen College
Dayla Stoerzbach, Viola/chamber music; Boston area educator

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Tuition/Fees

All-inclusive tuition, room/board fee for the week is $ 930.

Calendar of deadlines for 2010:

February 1 – First admissions decisions made
February 20 – Additional admissions decisions made
March 13 - Complete file due for financial aid applicants
March 13 – Additional admissions decisions made
April 1 – Additional admissions decisions made
April 30 - Completed applications are due
May 3 - Final admissions decisions made
May 17– Final date for $400 total deposit due
Middle of June: Student orientation packets mailed
August 1: Remaining balance due

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FAQ’s

What is Credo’s minimum performance level?
Credo is open to any player who would benefit from the environment of intensive chamber music instruction. Many Credo students are prizewinners in national and regional solo competitions, others sit at or near the front of their youth orchestra sections, and others are solid players with good intonation and rhythm. Students are admitted to Credo based on finding suitable chamber music partners – thus compatibility with other applicants is more of a deciding factor than absolute talent/achievement.

Is financial aid available for Credo?
Yes. Credo is committed to using financial aid to make our program available to all. Typically, over $75,000 of financial aid is awarded each year. Financial aid is awarded primarily on a need basis.

Where do Credo/Prelude students come from?
So far, Credo students have come from over 38 different states, from New York to Hawaii, from Alaska to Florida! Over the years, students also journeyed from Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Taiwan, New Zealand, Canada, and Tanzania to share the Credo experience.

Is Credo a "church camp?"
No. Credo is a music program of high-level study and performance. Credo programs use faith and service elements to enrich and deepen the student's commitment to excellence and appreciation of the special power of music.

Are all faiths welcome at Credo programs?
YES! Credo (Latin for, "I believe") is a place for development and strengthening of faith. The required morning sing is led from a non-denominational Christian perspective by faculty (Baptist, Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Mennonite). At Credo, students from (nearly) all Christian denominations and several non-Christian faiths have grown together by discovering their common beliefs and respectfully discussing differences.

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Questions?