I'm old and play the violin, ok?

March 24, 2009 2:04 PM

What are some resources and events for adult amateur classical musicians?

I'm a late starter adult fiddle player/violinist. I have a degree in music in a different instrument (double bass) but started fiddle in my 20s and studying classical violin in tandem with fiddle in the last 2 years.

What festivals, camps, workshops and the like would be open for adults? What is the best way to get a great teacher to take you seriously as someone who is seriously interested in getting to the best playing level they can in the midst of living their life?

This is one thing I know about but I'm wondering what else is available?
http://www.applehill.org/index.htm

I'll be located in Boston, for whatever that's worth. If there are any violin teachers in the area you think might work, I'd be interested in hearing that too.

posted by sully75 to media & arts (4 comments total)

ACMP. Also look for Community Schools of Music, search here (state and discipline is all you need), and at least one in Boston. Community Schools of the Arts usually have programs for adults at all levels, including private lessons, ensembles and classes. Because they are part of a national accrediting network, faculty standards are high and you can reliably find an excellent teacher without a referral (ymmv).
posted by nax at 2:47 PM on March 24

Have you considered joining a local civic symphony? I started out undergrad as a music major before switching to biochemistry, and I missed playing my violin--I played in Seattle's Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra for half a season when I was actually living there (I travel back and forth now due to school), and enjoyed it very much!
posted by halogen at 2:55 PM on March 24

Here's one for chamber music, all levels: Chapel Hill Chamber Music Workshop - it's in North Carolina.
posted by amtho at 3:08 PM on March 24

I can't help you with local recommendations, but here's what I do as an adult amateur viola player - I play in a local orchestra, which has led me to meet people who organise chamber music workshops and various music-based holidays. These are huge fun and I also met my husband through one of these!

As for teachers: I had a look at the local music college's website, and privately contacted one of the teachers whose description I liked the look of. He agreed to teach me privately at the music college at the end of his teaching day, which works out well. Now, if I could only find the time to do more practice...

YMMV because the amateur music scene in the UK is extremely active, but from the other recommendations it looks like there's plenty going on where you are. The key is to do one thing, meet people and talk to them, and this usually leads to other things.
posted by altolinguistic at 3:31 AM on March 25