One of the great pleasures in a musician's life is collaborating with other musicians. The work of immersing oneself in the great works of the musical repertoire and sorting out the musical nuances and the technically devilish passages forges friendships that can last a lifetime. One of the most memorable and effective ways of participating in this process is at a summer music festival. The intensity of the duration ( usually 1-8 weeks) coupled with a beautiful, often rural locale heightens the learning curve and offers an undistracted dive into all the components that weave together to create a compelling musical performance.
Interharmony Festival Students and Faculty 2015
Historically, many of the great European composers would retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city to the quiet countryside to compose, connect with nature and create. We can hear these sensibilities in the music of Brahms and Mahler for example. Following in this tradition, summer music festivals all over the globe provide an environment of inspiration, motivation, challenge, and enthusiasm in which to become aware and achieve high levels of musicianship. Along the way, it is possible to meet musicians from different countries or regions, study with teachers and coaches from around the world and be stretched musically, culturally and linguistically. There is no better way to visit a far off land then as an ambassador of harmony, as I believe all musicians of every level are. These experiences evolve us and nourish us on multiple levels of our being and the vibrations are felt many months and years afterward.
Consider a summer festival this year and let the momenatum carry you to new musical heights!