At First Sight

At First Sight - title

A Chamber Music Experience for Advanced and Intermediate String Players

         Chamber Music for Younger Players

text- and PreView

                 Music Reading for Early Readers

APPLY EARLY! Applications are due by April 6!

At First Sight brings chamber music to life for young players! Using the beloved repertoire of string trios, quartets and quintets, students improve Sight-Reading, develop Musicianship, and cultivate Service to others as our response to God’s gift of music. Our partner program, InSight, shares the same goals in a format designed for less-experienced players, and young beginning readers can participate in PreView, with partial days and limited class size

At First Sight is:

  • five intense days of chamber music, string orchestra, classes and performances
  • for advanced and intermediate string students (typically ages 13-18) (See InSight below, for younger musicians)
  • a positive, non-competitive environment, where all are encouraged and included
  • a unique community where teachers and students share music side by side.

More about At First Sight


InSight
inspires the joy of music, like At First Sight, but is designed for less-experienced readers. It is:

  • five (shorter) days of string orchestra, classes, sight-reading training and performances
  • for string students who have basic music-reading skills, but little or no ensemble experience (typically ages 8-12)
  • scheduled with smaller bodies and shorter stamina in mind
  • encouraging, non-competitive, inspirational, and high-energy!

More about InSight

PreView opens the door to the world of group music-making, and invites our youngest students in . . .

  • four partial days of group classses and activities
  • open to a limited number of string players, who are ready to read music
  • builds reading skills and ensemble skills at the same time
  • whole-body music-learning through Music and Motion

More about PreView

Parents

We believe that Parents (and guardians) are an integral part of a young musician’s development, whether or not those parents are musicians.  Because of this,

  • Parents are welcome to attend At First Sight with their student, at no charge. (Students age 9 and under must have a parent or guardian with them.)  
  • We expect parents to be at the Orientation meeting on Monday at 2:30
  • Every afternoon of AFS includes Parents’ Circle, where parents and AFS faculty talk about raising musical kids
  • Descant, seminars and performances are all open to parents
  • Parents, as observers, can purchase meal tickets to eat with the students and staff.
  • Parents who play strings have their own orchestra, called OverSight!  ANY playing level is welcome!
  • Playing parents can play with us at HausMusik reading sessions in the evenings
two girls playing violin
Children playing cellos
three girls playing violin