ViolinWell: August 5-9, 2025 (Tues - Sat)
Mulit-Level Violin Clinic
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Schedule, Offerings, Level, Venue, Fees, & More!
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ViolinWell
Multi-Level Violin Clinic
For Violins! Catch some “GOOD VIBRATIONS” at this Clinic designed for Violins, where you’ll focus on your VIBRATO & INTONATION. Hang out with violin friends & work with violinist & Eastman-trained 30-year veteran pedagogue & technique specialist Beth Bultman. Play in ensemble, explore a well of resources, and find do a technique deep dive to find a cure for intonation woes & a prescription for great vibrato! (Your technique & playing will improve - Guaranteed!) Be inspired to Violin Well! THIS YEAR ONLY benefit from the “Good Vibrations” Theme, focusing on vibrato & intonation consistency. (This theme is a ONE-TIME OFFERING, & will not happen next year.)
August 5-9, 2025 (Tues - Sat)
Held in Canandaigua NY (Finger Lakes Region in western New York State)
Travel In: Tues Aug 5 Casual, Fun Evening Cookout Starts at 6:15pm. Get to know each other in a casual, relaxed environment.
Travel Back: Sun Aug 10 Activities go through Saturday. Stay around & relax before traveling on Sunday.
Join us for our 143rd 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 for a limited time.
For pricing info, continue down the page.
Is this the only event that violins can attend?
By no means! There are 8 other Scor! events this summer that welcome violins!
ViolinWell is the only Scor! event that is dedicated to violins. But at 8 other Scor! events this summer, violins will get to play with violas, cellos, & basses. Other options include events that emphasize ensemble at various levels, orchestra, chamber music, Fiddle Style, or a FUN Music Theory & Ensemble Workshop. Check out our other events at our In-Person Events page!
What will I experience at ViolinWell?
Ensemble
Have fun with beautiful and engaging music, and focus on applying the techniques we've been learning together! Experience the joy of playing with others!
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MUSIC TOGETHER!: Enjoy playing music with friends each day!
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GROW & IMPROVE: In daily rehearsals, you'll develop your skills, increase your confidence, and sound fantastic under the expert tutelage of our dynamite faculty.
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AT YOUR LEVEL: The entire event accommodates your level. The ensemble music has multiple level options, so you can play music at a level that is comfortable & enjoyable for you!
Atmosphere
The atmosphere at Scor! is unique & special. It's a learning, growing, fun, exciting, supportive, encouraging, educational, low-pressure, challenging, inspirational, & transformational experience. And, it's tailored especially for adult string players like you & at your level by national leaders in the field of adult string education. Plus, you'll have a great time in the relaxed, fun atmosphere. So, you'll make music with newfound friends in ensemble, participate in unique & amazingly informative instructional sessions, and work with incredible, knowledgeable faculty. It's a special immersion experience created just for you!
Sessions
New Every Year!
Take in the valuable new instructional sessions offered at ViolinWell, tailored especially for violins like you!
Look forward to informative, interactive, and fun skills classes & resource explorations! The finer mysteries of violin playing are not only revealed, but taught step by step with immediate application & improvement!
Sessions & Classes at ViolinWell 2025
Want to learn how to play with an amazing sounding vibrato & great reliable intonation in any position? How about uncover the secrets of left side technique that bring you healthy, pain-free, accurate, & beautiful playing? Come this year!
Our theme this year is Good Vibrations!*
We'll focus on…
- Vibrato
- Intonation
- Posture/ body balance/ tension reduction/ efficient technique
Here are the Sessions you'll benefit from...
Body Balance & Tension Reduction: We’ll check in on some fundamentals of posture/position/set-up, show you how to achieve great body balance, reduce tension in your playing, and utilize efficient, healthy & natural body movements while playing. This will get you ready to apply all the great tips on vibrato & intonation that are coming up!
Good Vibrations: Whether you’ve never used vibrato, have begun developing your vibrato, become frustrated with vibrato, or have not been satisfied with a limited vibrato, these classes will bring you the solution to your vibrato woes & a prescription for great vibrato. Develop a relaxed, efficient, consistent vibrato that sounds good too! Learn how to maintain & even vary your vibrato to play more expressively. We'll show you how!
Cure Your Intonation Woes: Did you know that developing consistent, beautiful-sounding intonation is not only about your ear? It’s also about your left side technique. You could be sabotaging your intonation by using poor technique. Cure your intonation woes by learning the secret to great, reliable intonation in any position.
Stress-Free Progress Sessions: We’ll make sure you get individual help with your vibrato, intonation, & technique. You’ll receive individual feedback & guidance, plus a unique plan for progress based on your level and experience. We’ll help you individually, & you’ll learn from watching the progress of others, too. We’ll give you the tools you need to improve, play with consistent & amazing intonation, & great vibrato!
*Please note: This Good Vibrations theme is a one-time offering, and this deep focus on vibrato & intonation will not be offered 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 & National Leading Experts in Adult String Education
Don't miss working with our extraordinary faculty. After over 30 years of working with adult string players, WE KNOW ALL ABOUT YOUR PLAYING SUCCESSES, STRUGGLES, JOYS, & CHALLENGES. And we know exactly what to do to get you sounding great & feeling even better. So, get ready to have playing & technique revelations & breakthroughs! Experience a night & day difference in your playing. Your vibrato & intonation will soar to the next level!
Beth Bultman, Faculty
Violinist, String Pedagogue, Ensemble Coach, Scor! Program Director, Scor! Co-Founder
Beth has taught violin for 30 years, and successfully brought her students through technique transformations countless times. She is highly trained in string pedagogy. During her Masters degree at the Eastman School of Music, she was a teaching assistant in her studio and also in string pedagogy. She has also taught string pedagogy at 2 colleges. She is a deep & experienced expert in the mind-body connection, and knows exactly what to say to get you executing great technique, & sounding & feeling better fast!
Kyle Bultman, Faculty
Violinist, Expert Pedagogue, Ensemble Director, Scor! CEO, Scor! Co-Founder
Kyle has a LENGTHY resume with technique training from some of the best pedagogues out there (see full bio at yellow button). He is a true deep expert in the area of technique, and has been successfully helping adult string students with all manner of technique work for 30 years. There is not a single situation, weakness, or technical issue that stymies him. (Seriously.) He will not only present you with methods & solutions, but he is able to solve your vibrato & intonation woes & send you home with the perfect prescription for progress. Guaranteed!
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 ViolinWell, we accept participants at the Intermediate, Advancing Intermediate, & Advanced Level.
Is one of these levels 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.
ViolinWell FAQs
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Am I Ready to come to ViolinWell?
If you have reached the Intermediate, Advancing Intermediate, or Advanced Level, then you are ready! Many first-time participants might feel a little nervous, hesitant, or unsure. But don't miss out because of your uncertainty. We're here to help! There's a perfect place for you at Scor!, and we'll help you find it!
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Should I wait to come until I'm better?
NO! Instead, you should COME NOW SO YOU CAN GET BETTER. If you haven't quite reached the Intermediate Level, please join us at the Basic Level (Threshold Scor!). We have other ensemble events at every level, so there's a place for you at Scor! If you haven't played in a while, come on back! There's nothing like signing up for an event to provide some motivation. If you wait to come until you've practiced more, you'll delay your progress, & miss your opportunity to build your confidence & get better NOW!
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What will Ensemble be like?
Ensemble will be fun! The music will accommodate your level, and you'll play with others at your own level. (No feeling like you're swimming trying to keep up, or bored & not challenged enough.) You'll learn and practice musical & ensemble skills that will elevate your playing in any ensemble. We'll also have some fun sight-reading, with tips & instruction along the way!
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Will there be only violins at ViolinWell?
Yes, but you might see a viola nearby...! ViolinWell will be exclusively violins, but it will be run concurrently with ViolaWell at the same venue. So, you'll see viola friends at lunch, in ensemble, & in a few classes. But there will still be plenty of opportunity for violin-specific classes & instruction, and plenty of violin bonding!
ViolinWell Schedule
Aug 5-9, 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 & all your new friends, chow down, & relax after traveling.
Wednesday (10:00-5:30)
9:30 – 9:50 Arrive
10:00 – 10:30 Orientation
10:45 – 11:45 Session: Body Balance & Tension Reduction
12:00-12:30 Stress-Free Progress Session / Q&A
12:30 – 1:30 Lunch Break
1:45 - 3:15 Ensemble Rehearsal
3:15 - 4:00 Break - Enjoy the outdoors, chat, shop, practice, ask questions
4:00 - 4:45 Session: Good Vibrations! Part 1 (Prescription for a Great Vibrato)
5:00 - 5:30 Stress-Free Progress Session / Q&A
6:00 – 7:30 Dinner at Restaurant
Thursday (10:00-5:30)
9:30 – 9:50 Arrive
10:00 – 11:00 Good Vibrations! Part 2 (Prescription for a Great Vibrato)
11:00 - 11:30 Stress-Free Progress Session / Q&A
12:00 – 12:45 Session: Finding the Instrument & Bow that Suits You with Luthier from The String House
12:45 – 1:15 String House Exhibit Open
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch Break
2:15 - 3:15 Session: Cure Your Intonation Woes Part 1
3:15 - 4:00 Instrument & Bow Q&A/ Trying Session with String House / Explore a Well of Viola Resources
4:00 - 5:30 Ensemble Rehearsal
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 – 2:45 Session: Cure Your Intonation Woes Part 2/ Stress-Free Progress Session
3:15 – 4:00 Faculty Recital
4:30 – 6:00 Ensemble 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 – 11:00 Summing It All Up: Prescriptions for Continued Success with Vibrato & Intonation
11:00 - 11:30 Stress-Free Progress Session
11:45 – 12:45 Lunch Break
1:00 – 2:15 Ensemble Rehearsal
2:30 – 3:30 Music Sharing Time
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. 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.
Am I going to be playing my instrument for 6-8 hours a day? Not exactly. Amidst our rehearsals & classes, there is plenty of time in the schedule to rest, converse, and relax. And rehearsals and classes involve playing, but also stopping, listening, and waiting. The schedule is balanced so you'll enjoy lots of playing and learning, 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 |
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Scor! Camp Tuition (Pat from Florida says "Scor! was well worth every penny!") |
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 fun-filled days of playing music together, top-notch violin instruction, relaxing with friends, & enjoying a music vacation! Why is Scor! so special? See above! |
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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! |
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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!) |
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Instrument Rental (optional add-on) |
$125 | Flying in? Rent a quality instrument & bow so you don't have to bring yours on a plane. |
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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!