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Higher Ground Chamber Music

Advanced Level Ensemble & Chamber Intensive

Chamber Music Intensive specially for Advanced Players. Enjoy chamber music groups & chamber orchestra, fine tune your chamber playing & grow into musical leadership. Bring your ensemble playing to new heights. Enjoy some fun chamber music sight-reading too! THIS YEAR ONLY benefit from our “Play Expressively” Theme, focusing on diversifying your moods & expression, and bringing out the meaning in the music. (This theme is a ONE-TIME OFFERING, & will not happen next year.)

July 8-12, 2025 (Tues - Sat)

Held in Canandaigua NY (Finger Lakes Region in western New York State)

Travel In: Tues July 8  Casual, Fun Evening Cookout Starts at 6:15pm. Get to know each other in a casual, relaxed environment.

Travel Back: Sun July 13  Activities go through Saturday. Stay around & relax before traveling on Sunday.

Join us for our 139th 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!

Do you want to...

  • play like a pro?
  • take your chamber & ensemble playing to new heights?
  • learn the secrets of professional chamber music players?


Enjoy a chamber music workshop designed exclusively for you this summer! Join other advanced players this summer for Higher Ground Chamber Music.

You will...

  • Enjoy playing gorgeous chamber music under exceptional tutelage. 
  • Benefit from a challenging & enriching environment exclusively for advanced 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.
  • Hone your musical leadership & elevate your ensemble playing!

What is Higher Ground like?

This event is dedicated to and designed exclusively for experienced & advanced string players. You'll be surrounded by people at your level - those with LOTS of ensemble experience & those who love challenging music! You'll have tons of music to play and chew on, both in chamber groups and in chamber orchestra. We'll work up some great pieces, sharpen our ensemble skills, and have sight-reading parties. We'll train with professional skills so you can walk away with the tools to take your playing to new heights in any music, in any size ensemble. We'll tackle some challenging music, plus work on making our playing more dynamic & expressive. Can't wait!

Chamber Orchestra

Delve into a unique collaborative chamber orchestra. Elevate & hone your ensemble skills, play and sight-read a variety of beautiful string orchestra music. Learn the secrets of ensemble playing that pros use! Experience the joy of playing with others like yourself!

Chamber Groups

Benefit from our “Play Expressively” Focus (this year only!)

Receive daily coachings in your own chamber group. Experience an unparalleled, tried, & tested method for conservatory-level chamber music training that you won't find anywhere else. Play & rehearse gorgeous chamber music under exceptional tutelage, and have fun sight-reading, too! 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

Are you hungry for some REAL HUMAN CONNECTION? How about MUSICAL 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.

In working with our amazing faculty, you'll...

Play Better. Unlock the secrets of professional chamber players. We'll share them unabashedly with you!

Gain Confidence. Our faculty are encouraging, reassuring, and inspiring. You'll leave with confidence and enthusiasm.

Have Fun! We take learning seriously... and intersperse plenty of fun and humor into the experience!

Be Inspired. Your experience will improve your technical & musical abilities, your perspective, & your musicianship. Transformational!

Is This Event the Right Level for me?

Each event has been designed with certain levels in mind. Come an event that's right for you! You'll feel right at home surrounded by others at your level with your musical interests. The ensemble music & instruction is catered right to you, giving you the best possible musical, learning, and community experience.

At Higher Ground, we accept participants at the Advanced Level.

Is the Advanced 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 non-verbal communication skills you taught us and stay together even, at a noisy party! We've been starting, stopping and entering together after small pauses in ways we never could before. Thanks again! -C.W.

Higher Ground Chamber Music Schedule

July 8-12, 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

10:45 – 12:00 Chamber Orchestra Rehearsal

12:15 - 12:45 Session: The Chamber Music Techniques of Pros

12:45 – 1:45 Lunch Break

2:00 – 3:30 Chamber Group Rehearsal & Coaching

3:30 - 4:15 Break - Enjoy the outdoors, chat, shop, practice, ask questions

4:15 – 5:30 Ensemble Rehearsal / Sight-Reading

6:00 – 7:30 Dinner at Restaurant


Thursday (10:00-5:30)

9:30 – 9:50 Arrive

10:00 – 11:30 Chamber Orchestra Rehearsal

12:00 – 12:30 Session: All About Instruments & Bows with Luthier from The String House

12:30 – 1:00 String House Exhibit Open

12:45 – 1:45 Lunch Break

2:00 – 3:30 Session & Ensemble Rehearsal: Refine Your Musicality & Expression

3:30 – 4:00 Instrument & Bow Q&A/ Trying Session with String House

4:00 – 5:30 Chamber Group Rehearsal & Coaching

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 Group Rehearsal & Coaching

3:30 – 4:15 Faculty Recital 

4:45 – 6:00 Chamber Orchestra Rehearsal

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 – 11:30 Chamber Group Rehearsal & Coaching

11:45 – 12:45 Lunch Break

1:00 – 2:15 Chamber Orchestra Rehearsal

2:30 – 3:30 Music Sharing 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 itThat'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.

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 experienceA 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!")
*$1699 --> $1499 Save $200 with Discount price only through June 3!
Save $50 or more with Additional Coupon Savings Available Through E-News. Inquire about current coupon!

(No payment is due at time of application. Above discount automatically applies.)
Tues - Sat: 5 days of invaluable chamber music & ensemble instruction & enjoyment, top-notch transformational coaching by national leading experts, 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.
Optional Donation
(optional add-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 (53%) 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! :-)

Staying Healthy at Scor!

Health Protocols & Policies for In-Person Events

Get lots of great tips on staying healthy both at Scor! and while traveling (from experienced travelers!). Check out our health protocols & policies, and find out more about the environment at In-Person Scor!.

Looking for more info about in-person events?

Question?

Just ask!