Brochure and Application 2025

RAPHAEL CHAMBER MUSIC WORKSHOP 2025     

Dear Friends,

We are happy to let you know that our workshop will be returning to the beautiful High Mowing School next August! If we are able to proceed with our summer workshop in 2025, we will adhere to all COVID guidelines including requiring proof of full COVID immunization.

Please note that we have an early application deadline: TBD. Please try to get your applications in by that date.

WHEN AND WHERE:

As in the past, we are pleased to be able to continue to offer two consecutive sessions this coming summer. Participants for SESSION 1 will arrive on Sunday, August 3 and depart on Sunday, August 10. Those attending SESSION 2 will arrive on Sunday, August 10 and depart on Sunday, August 17. We will be at the HIGH MOWING SCHOOL in Wilton, New Hampshire. Wilton is located between Keene and Manchester, near the village of Peterborough. The school is located on a hilltop with commanding views of the surrounding countryside. There is an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, lovely gardens and walkways, and access to nearby woods, lakes, and hiking trails. The nearest airports are in Manchester (40 minutes away) and Boston (less than 1-1/2 hours).

THE PROGRAM:

Ensembles are formed at the beginning of the Workshop and remain together for the entire program. You will receive ensemble coachings every day for each group in which you play. Participants are scheduled for two or three ensembles and will be assigned the repertoire several months in advance of the program. Emphasis is on detailed and in-depth work, development of chamber music skills, and interpretation. There will be evening classes, seminars, sight reading, and informal concerts.

FACULTY:

You will be coached, encouraged, housed, fed (lavishly) and occasionally entertained by the Raphael Trio’s cellist SUSAN SALM, director of the workshop. She will be joined by distinguished colleagues, active professional musicians appearing regularly in performing ensembles: SALLY McLAIN, violinist of the Left Bank Chamber Players and of the Potomac String Quartet; violinist LISA TIPTON, founding member of the Meridian String Quartet and the NY Chamber Music CoOP; MIRANDA SIELAFF, violist with The Knights and Classical Access for NYC public schools; pianist NORMAN CAREY, director of doctoral studies in music at CUNY Graduate Center; and DENA LEVINE, pianist of the Laurel Trio and associate professor at Seton Hall University.

ROOM & BOARD:

We will be staying in the comfortable resident housing of the High Mowing School. Accommodations are in well-appointed single or double rooms (as requested) with shared bathrooms. The dining room is noted for outstanding organic meals.

WHO SHOULD APPLY:

Advanced adult instrumentalists (including piano) of all ages are welcome. Pre-formed ensembles are welcome to attend and may participate as a group and/or split up and mix and match with others. For those of you not already in a group, you will be placed according to your instrument and ability, with suitable repertoire assigned well in advance of your session. You may apply for one or both weeks; if you are applying for only one session, please indicate which one you prefer, and we will try to honor your request, although we cannot guarantee it.

COST:

Due to rising costs we have been forced to increase tuition. For a full week – room, board, tuition and recreation – the cost is TBD. Single or double room requests should be noted on your application. In the event the pandemic causes a cancellation of the program, tuition payments will be refunded.

WE ARE LIMITED TO ABOUT 35 PARTICIPANT PLACES PER SESSION, SO PLEASE DO SEND YOUR APPLICATION AND APPLICATION FEE PROMPTLY

APPLICATION DEADLINE – TBD APPLICATION FEE: $50. (non-refundable)

After notification of your acceptance into the program, a non-refundable deposit of $1,000 will be requested. Balance will be due later in the spring.

Note: Late applications will be accepted, but can be considered only in the event of a cancellation. If you have any questions, please e-mail