Heart Strings Summit: July 15-19, 2025 (Tues - Sat)
Accomplished Level Chamber Music Intensive
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Schedule, Offerings, Level, Venue, Fees, & More!
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Heart Strings Summit
Accomplished Level Chamber Music Intensive
Chamber Music Intensive specifically for Accomplished Amateurs, String Teachers, & Professionals. Play chamber music, talk chamber music, breathe chamber music, fulfill your chamber music dreams! Receive 2 daily coachings from chamber music performers & professionals. Perfect gorgeous chamber music pieces under exceptional tutelage, and bring your chamber playing to the highest level in both chamber groups and chamber orchestra. Participate in a masterclass with principal cellist & chamber musician Dr. Moisés Molina (Asst. Professor of Cello: Univ. of Alabama). Hone your musicality & expression, and pull on our heart strings. And enjoy sight-reading chamber music for fun, too!
July 15-19, 2025 (Tues - Sat)
Held in Canandaigua NY (Finger Lakes Region in western New York State)
Travel In: Tues July 15 Casual, Fun Evening Cookout Starts at 6:15pm. Get to know each other in a casual, relaxed environment.
Travel Back: Sun July 20 Activities go through Saturday. Stay around & relax before traveling on Sunday.
Join us for our 140th event in our 22nd season!
Space is currently available for you. This event will be popular, so Apply Now! (No payment due at time of application.)
Save $200 with discount prices only through June 3!
For pricing info, continue down the page.
Do you love chamber music?
You've come to the right place!
Enjoy a chamber music workshop designed exclusively for you this summer! Join other accomplished players this summer for Heart Strings Summit.
You will...
- Enjoy playing gorgeous chamber music under exceptional tutelage.
- Benefit from a challenging & enriching environment exclusively for accomplished players.
- Hone professional-level chamber music techniques to bring your playing to the highest level!
- Share meaningful musical collaboration & friendship with others like you.
-
Benefit from working with faculty with decades of professional performing, ensemble, & chamber music experience.
What is Heart Strings Summit like?
This event is dedicated to and designed exclusively for accomplished amateur players, string teachers, & pros. You'll be surrounded by people at your level - those with extensive ensemble experience & who love challenging music! You'll have tons of great repertoire to enjoy, both in chamber groups and in chamber orchestra. We'll rehearse and refine some beautiful pieces, sharpen our ensemble skills, and have some sight-reading fun! We'll reinforce professional-level chamber music skills so you can take your playing to new heights in any ensemble. We'll reach for the summit of expressive playing, and make music that pulls on our heart strings!
Chamber Groups
Receive 2 daily coachings in chamber groups. Hone your pro-level chamber music skills. Play & rehearse gorgeous chamber music under exceptional tutelage, and have fun sight-reading, too! Enjoy a fantastic masterclass with Dr. Moisés Molina.
Chamber Orchestra
Delve into a unique collaborative chamber orchestra, inspired by the style of the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra & Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. Elevate & hone your ensemble and musical leadership skills, play and sight-read a variety of beautiful string orchestra music. Enjoy playing music with others like yourself! THIS YEAR ONLY benefit from our “Play Expressively” Theme, focusing on giving you all the tools for playing dynamically and with great musicality. (This theme is a ONE-TIME OFFERING, & will not happen next year.)
Camaraderie
We all need connection with others. And music-making is something done in community with other people – an amazing gift we can share with each other. There is nothing quite like experiencing the beautiful unity of a piece played by many individuals, yet creating one sound of coordinated rhythm, pitch, harmony, emotion, & spirit. It's so special to be part of an ensemble, and in addition hang out, socialize, & FEEL CONNECTED TO A LIKE-MINDED COMMUNITY.
Faculty
30-year veterans of chamber music & ensemble coaching
Don't miss working with our extraordinary faculty. After 30 years of teaching & coaching chamber music & ensembles, we know how to bring you breakthrough, elevate your playing, help you experience a night & day difference in your musical abilities & approach, & help you soar to the next level.
Dr. Moisés Molina, Faculty
Cellist, Chamber Coach, Ensemble Director, Masterclass Faculty
Cellist Moisés Molina is a treasured Scor! Faculty Member, having performed, taught, coached, and presented at several Scor! Workshops in multiple locations.
Dr. Molina, a native of Honduras, is an active soloist, orchestra and chamber musician, teacher, and clinician. He has performed in the United States, Central and South America, Europe, and Asia, and he has recorded for Centaur Records, Parma Records, Profil, and New World labels.
Dr. Molina is a guest artist and teacher at the Toradze International Music Festival (Tbilisi, Georgia), the Orfeo Music Festival, and Northern Lights Music Festival. He is on the faculty of the Tennessee Valley Music Festival and the Singing River Cello Workshop. Dr. Molina was a guest artist at the St. Augustine Music Festival in Florida for several seasons. He has given master classes, performances and workshops at the Tennessee Cello Workshop in Nashville, and participated in the International Chamber Music Festival in Lima and Cuzco Music Festival in Cusco, Peru.
Dr. Molina is Principal Cellist for the Mobile Symphony Orchestra, Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra, and the Columbus (GA) Symphony Orchestra. He also plays with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. He has served as Principal Cellist for Abilene (TX) Philharmonic Orchestra and Quincy (IL) Symphony.
Dr. Molina is Assistant Professor of a Cello at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Prior to his position at UA, Dr. Molina was Professor of Cello and Assistant Director of the School of Music at Western Illinois University, and he taught at Hardin-Simmons and Abilene Christian Universities. He has given lectures and clinics for the College Music Society and the Texas and Illinois Music Educators Associations. He taught at the Summer Fine Arts Camp at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, and he conducted the Abilene Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Moisés was successful in several concerto, solo and chamber music competitions, and he was awarded an orchestral fellowship to the Aspen Music Festival.
Kyle Bultman, Faculty
Violist, Ensemble Director, Chamber Coach, Scor! CEO, Scor! Co-Founder
Having co-founded Scor! in 2001 with wife Beth Bultman, Kyle has been directint & teaching at Scor! for over 20 years. His education includes Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees (graduating with honors) in Music Performance & Literature from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY.
Mr. Bultman's musical studies and training are extensive, having worked with diverse and numerous teachers, including: Private study with Peter Salaff of the Cleveland Quartet, Catherine Tait of the Eastman School of Music, and Syoko Aki of the Yale School of Music. Chamber music study with violists Phillip Ying (Ying Quartet), John Graham and George Taylor (Eastman School of Music). At the Round Top Music Festival (TX), he studied Chamber music with Ron Leonard, principal cellist of the L.A. Philharmonic, plus repertoire study with Jorja Fleezanis, concertmaster of the Minnesota Orchestra. At the Weathersfield Music Festival (VT), Mr. Bultman studied left-hand technique with Roland Vamos, and repertoire with artist teacher Almita Vamos, some of the leading violin/viola concert-artist instructors in the world. During his high-school years, Kyle had private violin study with Christopher Martin of the Grand Rapids Symphony, and Frank Powdermaker, then concertmaster of the Grand Rapids Symphony. At the Interlochen Arts Camp, Kyle studied bow technique with Patinka Kopec of the Manhatten School of Music.
As a member of the Genesis String Quartet, Mr. Bultman has brought educational presentations to well over 15,000 school children in western Kentucky and upstate New York. The ensemble gave several formal concert series, and participated in a residency in Madisonville, KY, a grant project in Rochester, NY, and served as artists affiliated with Young Audiences.
For many years, Mr. Bultman served as a collegiate Violin Instructor at Roberts Wesleyan College, as well as directing and founding its Chamber Orchestra, a touring ensemble.Mr. Bultman also served as director of the first New Horizons Orchestra and as a teacher at the Chautauqua Institution, in addition to a few decades of teaching private lessons to children and adults.
Kyle's unique abilities as a teacher include his ability to diagnose and present solutions for any technical issue. As a performer, he is known for his diversity of styles and ability as an improviser. His ensembles appreciate him for emphasizing quality and musicality, and bringing out the best in musical expression.
Beth Bultman, Faculty
Violnist, Chamber Coach, Scor! Program Director, Scor! Co-Founder
Ms. Bultman earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, hailed by several independent publications as a top music school in the nation. She studied violin performance, pedagogy, chamber music, and composition, and graduated with highest honors. She held concertmaster positions in the Eastman orchestras. She studied violin with Janet Brady, Peter Salaff (Cleveland Quartet) and Catherine Tait, and studied chamber music with Pamela Frame (Orpheus Chamber Orchestra), John Graham, George Taylor, & Phillip Ying (Ying Quartet).
Ms. Bultman has played professionally since the age of 14, holding concertmaster and principal 2nd positions in orchestras in several New York cities and Heidelberg, Germany. She has participated in the National Orchestral Institute at the University of Maryland, and performed as violin soloist with the Binghamton Youth Symphony and the Roberts Wesleyan College Community Orchestra. She also played in a professional string quartet, giving formal concerts and school presentations to well over 15,000 school children in western Kentucky and upstate New York for 5 years.
As a performer, Ms. Bultman is comfortable with many styles, but specializes in classical & improvisational, as well as frequently performing her own compositions. Beth and her husband Kyle have performed all over the country in recent years, and are known for their unusual ability to perform unique free improvisation duos, requested again and again by audience members.
Ms. Bultman has taught in various contexts for 30 years, including collegiate level instruction at Roberts Wesleyan College, Houghton College, and Binghamton University, and private studio instruction for students of all ages. Able to immediately diagnose and present solutions for technical problems, Ms. Bultman specializes in reducing tension in playing, bringing about the mind/body connection, and encouraging musical expression. She has extensive experience teaching at all levels (from beginner to conservatory), and specializes in teaching, coaching, and mentoring adult string players.
Ms. Bultman performs on a Joseph Curtin instrument. Mr. Curtin's instruments are widely used among today's best concertmasters and soloists. He is the winner of the MacArthur Genius Award as well as numerous other accolades.
Is This Event the Right Level for me?
Each event has been designed with certain levels in mind. Come to an event that's right for you! You'll feel right at home surrounded by others at your level with your musical interests. The chamber music & coaching is catered right to you, giving you the best possible musical and community experience.
At Heart Strings, we accept participants at the Accomplished Level.
Is the Accomplished Level right for you?
What about other levels?
For complete descriptions of all 5 levels, plus event recommendations for each level, see our In-Person Levels Page.
Participants Say...
"I’ve been to other camps, and no one else teaches like you do. At other camps, I just learn to play new music in ensemble. But here, I learn and hone professional-level skills, and walk away with the tools and ability to play any music, in any ensemble, with accuracy and excellence." -M.B.
Since I got back from camp, I’ve been so inspired!” S.D.
"The community is so strong here, I feel like now we’re a family." -J.B.
What I learned has helped immensely. My trio was able to apply the skills you taught us and stay more together even in noisy gig settings! We've been starting, stopping and entering together after small pauses in ways we never could before. Thanks again! -C.W.
Heart Strings Summit Schedule
July 15-19, 2025 (Tues - Sat, travel back on Sun)
Tues: Travel in. 6:15 - 8pm Kickoff Cookout!
Wed 10:00-5:30
Thurs 10:00-5:30
Fri 10:00-1:00 Enjoy Area; 1:30-8:00 Rehearsals & Fun Dinner
Sat 10:00-3:30
Sun: Travel back
See below for more details!
Full Detailed Event Schedule
Tuesday (6:15pm-8:00pm)
Daytime: Travel into Town/ Check into Lodging
6:15 - 8:00 Welcome Cookout (FREE FOOD!)
Join us for a free get-to-know-you hang out and chill evening with a dinner cookout right at the Scor! Venue on Tuesday evening from 6:15 - 8pm. Meet your faculty & your musical comrades, enjoy a meal together, & relax after traveling.
Wednesday (10:00-5:30)
9:30 – 9:50 Arrive
10:00 – 10:30 Orientation
11:00 – 12:30 Chamber Groups Rehearsal/ Coaching/ Sight-Reading
12:45 – 1:45 Lunch Break
1:45 – 3:15 Chamber Orchestra Rehearsal
3:15 - 4:00 Break - Enjoy the outdoors, chat, shop, practice, ask questions
4:00 – 5:30 Chamber Groups Rehearsal/ Coaching / Sight-Reading
6:00 – 7:30 Optional Dinner at Restaurant
Thursday (10:00-5:30)
9:30 – 9:50 Arrive
10:00 – 11:30 Chamber Groups Rehearsal/ Coaching
12:00 – 12:30 Session: Fine Instruments & Bows with Luthier from The String House
12:30 – 1:00 String House Exhibit Open
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch Break
2:00 – 3:30 Chamber Orchestra Rehearsal
3:30 – 4:00 Instrument & Bow Q&A/ Trying Session with String House
4:00 – 5:30 Chamber Groups Rehearsal/ Coaching/ Sight-Reading
6:00 – 7:30 Dinner at Restaurant
Friday (1:30-8:30)
10:00 - 12:00 Enjoy the Area Tourist Time
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch Out
1:00 – 1:30 Arrive back at Venue
1:30 – 3:00 Chamber Groups Rehearsal/ Coaching
3:15 - 4:00 Faculty Recital
4:30 – 6:00 Chamber Music Masterclass with Dr. Molina
6:00 – 7:00 Fun Dinner on Site
7:00 – 8:00 Sunset Social Hour: Conversations/Optional Informal Chamber Group Playing
Saturday (10:00-3:30)
9:30 - 9:50 Arrive
10:00 – 11:45 Chamber Groups Rehearsal/ Coaching
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch Break
1:00 – 2:15 Chamber Orchestra Rehearsal
2:30 – 3:30 Informal Concert For Family & Friends
5:30 - 7:00 Optional Relaxing Dinner Out
Sunday
Travel back. Or... consider staying in the area a few extra days to further enjoy your music vacation!
*This schedule may change or have minor adjustments, but the start and end times each day will remain the same. Attendees will receive updated schedule info over email.
Schedule FAQs
When should I travel? Travel in on Tuesday in time for the Kickoff Cookout. Travel back on Sunday. (See top of page for more specifics.)
Should I plan to leave early? You have traveled all the way here. You've put forth all the effort of planning and invested in yourself. Why sell yourself short? Why miss out on the final hours of camp? Would you leave a lovely restaurant meal or treasured vacation before it was over? Don't think so. You'd milk it! Or would you leave your plane flight before it was over? (Not recommended! : - ) We know you're the kind of person that doesn't give up, and finishes what you started. So why miss out on the final hours of camp? You'll want to milk every bit of your Scor! experience, and get your money's worth.
If you leave early, you'll be abandoning your chamber group and leaving irreparable musical gaps. Don't disappoint your musical friends! Plus, you won't want to miss out on the best part - the Final Music Sharing at the end of Saturday! Relax. Plan to stay and travel back on Sunday!
Should I plan to be available the whole time? The event schedule is designed to provide you with a fantastic experience. Make sure you arrange your schedule so that you don't miss out on any of it! That's how you'll get the most out of your experience. Don't try to go to work, or squeeze in other committments around your Scor! experience. Plan your schedule around the start and end times above. Plus, with chamber music, your part is vital and it's even more important that you are present to contribute meaningfully to the musical whole.
Am I going to be playing my instrument for 6-8 hours a day? Not exactly. Amidst the rehearsals & coachings, there is plenty of time in the schedule to rest, converse, and relax. And rehearsals and coachings involve playing, but also stopping, listening, and waiting while others rehearse. The schedule is balanced so you'll enjoy lots of playing, but also have the needed breaks to help your physical and mental stamina.
Where are Scor! Events?
In Canandaigua, in the western New York State Finger Lakes Region
Canandaigua (can-an-DAY-gwa) is a jewel in the nationally recognized Finger Lakes Region of NY, known for its 5 large finger-shaped lakes. Wineries & breweries abound, in addition to a variety of dining and shopping experiences, outdoor recreation, historic atmosphere, and loads of summer fun!
Where's Canandaigua?
Canandaigua is situated in western New York State, about 35 minutes southeast of Rochester, 1.75 hours east of Niagara Falls, & almost 6 hours northwest of New York City.
(Flying? It's Rochester NY - ROC.)
Discover Where to Stay, What to Do, & more area info for your Music Vacation!
What about the Scor! Venue?
Join us on the Mountaintop!
Make music and enjoy your Mountaintop Experience at our peaceful, inspiring mountain retreat, nestled in the bucolic Finger Lakes region of western New York State.
Find out more about meals at Scor!
What makes Scor! so special?
Scor! stands out from the rest. Here's why...
A Treasured In-Person Experience with Genuine Connection: Being together in person is indeed special. After several string workshops have disappeared in the past few years, it's more important than ever to connect with friends in person, play music together, & receive top-notch instruction & inspiration in this unique immersion environment. After everything we all went through just a few years ago pandemic-wise, who can put a price on in-person musical camaraderie & friendship? A treasured experience, to say the least.
Best Faculty Ever: Your faculty are the most experienced, highest quality, & most inspirational instructors in adult string education that you'll find anywhere. The expertise is unsurpassed... 25+ years experience & 130+ Scor! camps & counting. They know exactly how to help you gain confidence, sound better, & soar to the next level, guaranteed.
Inspirational Retreat: Scor! events are held in a premium location, with beautiful surroundings in a peaceful, serene environment. Come away with us! Escape to this gorgeous retreat, calm your mind, body, & spirit, and give yourself the chance to learn, hone, & grow in a beautiful & inspirational place. There's never been a better time to escape & play music!
Learning at Your Level: Scor! events are designed with your level in mind, so you'll have a terrific learning experience. You'll feel right at home surrounded by others at your level who share your musical interests, with music & instruction tailored just for you, giving you the best possible musical, learning, & community experience.
Vacation Destination: You're coming to a great location.... the renowned Finger Lakes Region of New York State, a hot spot for tourism, wineries, breweries, history, unique dining & shopping, and beautiful natural surroundings... Music Retreat Vacation, HERE I COME!
Best Customer Service in the Business: We've raised the bar & offer the most professional customer service around. We don't have volunteer, hobbyist, part-time, or fly-by-night staff and administration. In fact, we are the only fully professional adult string-focused operation out there. That means you'll be treated the way you want and the way you deserve - to a quality experience, receiving more individual attention, help, customization, interaction, substantial information, and thorough communication than anywhere else. You're in good hands, and we'll help you the whole way!
Invaluable Instruction to Transform your Playing for Life: You'll receive many hours of unique, valuable, key instruction that will unlock playing mysteries, reveal the secrets of professional players, and provide you with a musically enjoyable, transformational experience. A Scor! event is NOT JUST LIKE AN ORCHESTRA REHEARSAL!!!!!!! Most teachers, orchestras, and workshops just teach you how to play a given piece better. THERE'S SO MUCH MORE AT SCOR! Through a unique immersion experience, we help you develop skills, techniques, and approaches that professional musicians use. These are not normally taught in lessons or orchestra rehearsal, but they will help you improve immeasurably. It’s like the old saying, “Hand someone a fish, they eat for a day. Teach them to fish, they eat for a lifetime.” We'll teach you to fish (with technical & musical skills) so that you can apply what you’ve learned anywhere. Now, no matter what piece you tackle in the future, or what ensemble you play with, you'll have the ability to take your playing to new heights!
Pricing
No payment is due at time of application. (See Application process below.)
Want to spread out your payments? Take advantage of our Installment Plan.
If you haven't already, sign up for Scor! E-News HERE to receive exclusive coupons & discounts, info on deadlines, plus free classes & more!
| Item | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Scor! Camp Tuition (Pat from Florida says "Scor! was well worth every penny!") |
(No payment is due at time of application. Above discount automatically applies.) |
Tues - Sat: 5 days of invaluable chamber music & chamber orchestra playing & enjoyment, top-notch transformational coaching by experienced chamber musicians, relaxing with friends, & enjoying a music vacation! Why is Scor! so special? See above! |
|
Installment Plan (optional) |
$25 | Split up your balance into 3-5 easy payments! See more info HERE. |
| Meals during Scor! | $179 | Eating together is part of the fun of Scor!. Includes Wed lunch, Thurs lunch, Fri dinner, & Sat lunch. (Fri lunch is enjoyed at a local restaurant. Breakfasts are often included with your lodging.) |
| Tues Kickoff Cookout | FREE! | Food, Friends, & Fun! Join us for a free get-to-know-you hang out & chill evening with a dinner cookout right at the Scor! Venue on Tues eve from 6:15-8pm. Meet all your new friends, chow down, & relax! |
|
Friday Catered Dinner for Spouse/ Traveling Companion (optional add-on) |
$54 | Bringing a guest? Purchase a Friday dinner. We'll have a fun & scrumptious spread! (Plus, dinner on Tues is FREE for you & a guest!) |
|
Instrument Rental (optional add-on) |
$125 | Flying in? Rent a quality instrument & bow so you don't have to bring yours on a plane. |
|
Private Lesson (optional add-on) |
$119 |
1-hour Private Lesson with exceptional faculty during the event. |
|
Optional Donation (optional ad-on) If you wish to support Scor!, you can opt to include a donation to Scor! in your registration. |
$50? $100? $250? $500? |
Help us recover from devastating pandemic-era losses & build foundational infrastructure at our venue that will be used for years to come. For more info on Donations, CLICK HERE. (Scor! is a program of Symerge, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization & donations are tax deductible according to IRS rules.) |
*TUITION OFFERED WAY (WAY!) BELOW COST: Scor! has endured vast and devastating pandemic-era losses from forced event shutdowns. We are walking the long hard (scary) road of seeking restoration & building again from the ground up. Our current actual costs per person to put on events are substantial ($2680!) due largely to pandemic debt. However, good news for you... we are not passing on those costs to you. You can come to Scor! at just over 1/2 of the actual cost as indicated in the table above. It's like a 50% discount right off the top. We hope you enjoy this sacrificial REALLY GOOD DEAL! :-)
Looking for more info about in-person events?
Question?
Just ask!