Frequently Asked Questions

Who Attends Strings by the Sea?
Young children and teenagers who study violin, viola or cello privately with a registered Suzuki teacher or a teacher who is taking Suzuki training. At Strings by the Sea, all students play their Suzuki repertoire from memory in their Repertoire and Technique Classes.

Can my beginning student attend Strings by the Sea?
Beginning students should be playing all Twinkle Variations and Twinkle Theme by memory, using fingers and bow together, by August 1.

Should I enroll my child in the Full-Day or Half-Day Session?
Students of all ages who are playing Book 1 Allegro and beyond should enroll in the Full-Day Session.
Book 1 students who are not playing Book 1 Allegro by August 1 should attend the Half-Day Session; exceptions may be made for school age students who are reading music. If you have questions, please email us at info@stringsbythesea.org or call (858) 277-7543.

What classes are offered at Strings by the Sea?

• Full-Day students who play Book 5 and above have a Repertoire Class, Technique Class, Chamber Music, Alexander Technique, Advanced Jazz, Advanced Fiddling.
  
• Full-Day students who play Book 3 or 4 have a Repertoire Class, Technique Class, Chamber Orchestra, Intermediate Jazz, Intermediate Fiddling, Lectures/Recitals.
  
• Full-Day students who play Book 1 (Allegro and above) or Book 2 have a Repertoire Class, Technique Class, Orchestra, Beginning Jazz, Beginning Fiddling, Lectures/Recitals.
  
• Half-Day students (not yet playing Book 1 Allegro, but at least playing all Twinkle Variations and Twinkle Theme from memory, using fingers and bow together) have a Repertoire Class, Technique Class, and Beginning Fiddling.

Are private lessons offered at Strings by the Sea?
Private lessons are available as an option before the camp day begins, after the camp day ends, or during lunch hour. The fee for each 20 minute lesson is $25, payable in advance in cash only, directly to the private teacher at the beginning of the first lesson.
Private lessons may be used to work on repertoire, fiddling, jazz, chamber music, or orchestra music. By indicating your focus for private lessons on the enrollment form, we will be able to assign you to the appropriate teacher.

How do I sign up for private Alexander Technique lessons with Evangeline Benedetti, or for Ms. Benedetti's Alexander Technique Workshop for Adults?
Please email us at info@stringsbythesea.org or call Glen Campbell at (619) 287-9826 to sign up for private Alexander Technique lessons for children and adults, and/or for Ms. Benedetti's Alexander Technique Workshop for Adults, which is held daily after the camp day ends.

When does camp begin and end?
Strings by the Sea 2011, is held Monday, August 1st through Friday, August 5th. Classes begin at 9:00 a.m. Half-Day students attend classes until 12:00 p.m. and are welcome to stay until 1 p.m. for lunch, crafts, and sports. Full-Day students attend classes from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., with 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. for lunch, crafts, and sports. On Monday, August 1, Registration is from 7:30 - 8:20 a.m., followed by the Orientation Meeting at 8:30 in Crill Auditorium for all campers and parents.

On Friday, classes end at 2:50 p.m.. The Final Concert begins promptly at 3 p.m. and ends by 5 p.m. with the Pizza Party immediately following.

Is Strings by the Sea a Suzuki Institute?
Strings by the Sea is a Suzuki camp, not a Suzuki institute. Teachers at Strings by the Sea have received SAA teacher training. For Repertoire and Technique Classes, Suzuki repertoire is played by memory. Strings by the Sea offers group classes. Short private lessons are offered at an additional fee as an option outside of the daily class schedule. Master classes are not offered at Strings by the Sea.

Should I stay with my child at Strings by the Sea?
A parent or other responsible adult MUST stay with a child who has not reached his/her 8th birthday by August 1, 2011. Parents of students who are 8 years of age and older are welcome and encouraged to observe their children's classes, but this is not a requirement.

Will my child have difficulty finding his/her way to classes?
All classes are held in one building. Most classrooms are on the first floor; only one class is held on the second floor and one class is held in the basement lobby. By the end of the first day, children typically know their class locations better than their parents! All students wear a name badge which lists their class schedule and class locations. The Camp Manager, Assistant Manager, and both Camp Co-Directors are available between classes to help students needing assistance.

What is the tuition for Strings by the Sea 2011?
Full Day violin, cello and viola students $385; Half-Day violin and cello students $220; All Viola Scholarship students (Full or Half-Day) $135
(Families with multiple campers may be elegible for a sibling discount. Please visit our Tuition page for more details.)

Are scholarships available for Strings by the Sea?

Please visit our Scholarship page for details

How do I apply for a scholarship?
Please follow the detailed instructions on our Scholarship page

My child will receive a Work Scholarship; what work will be required of me?
We can use help at Strings by the Sea in a variety of jobs, and families are welcome to choose the work that suits them best. Our greatest need by far is for help setting up camp on Saturday, July 30 at 10:00 a.m., and for help after the Pizza Party, on Friday, August 5, with moving music stands, chairs, and tables to their original classroom locations. Older children, as well as parents, are welcome helpers during these times. In addition, we need parents to help with crafts and sports stations during the lunch hour, and parents to walk the hallways to make sure that all students find their way to classes. Our Camp Manager often needs a parent helper for various tasks.

When will my child perform at Strings by the Sea?
Student Recitals will be held on Tuesday, August 2 at 1:00 p.m. Performing a solo in the Student Recital is optional, and any student who wishes may sign up to play; sign up sheets will be on the registration table the first morning of camp, and will be on the camp desk in the lobby the remainder of the day. All pieces performed must be from the Suzuki repertoire, with the exception of students who play in Book 9 and 10, who may choose Suzuki or non-Suzuki repertoire. All students who wish to perform MUST consult their private Suzuki teacher for help in selecting the polished, performance-ready piece that they will play. A piano accompanist is provided, however, due to time constraints there will not be the opportunity for a rehearsal prior to the performance. Family and friends are encouraged to attend the performance. The location of each performance, with a list of students taking part in that performance, will be posted and available for parents at the camp desk in the lobby on Tuesday morning, by 8:30 a.m.

Students in Book 5 and above will perform their chamber music in a Works-in-Progress performance, which all students will attend, on Friday at 1:00 p.m. Performance locations and dates will be announced to students and posted by mid-week.

There will be an Orchestra and Beginning/Intermediate Jazz performance, as well as a performance by the Half-Day students, at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 4 in Crill Auditorium.

The Final Concert will be held on Friday at 3:00 p.m. Family and friends are invited to attend all faculty and student performances at Strings by the Sea. The Final Concert is expected to end at 4:30 or 5:00 p.m., and will be followed by a Pizza Party to which all campers come at no cost. Guests age 5 and older each pay $8 for pizza, soda, and cookies. Pizza guests may be paid for with enrollment or may be added during camp.

What should my child bring to Strings by the Sea?
-All students should bring their instrument, bow, and rosin. Cello students should also bring something for their endpin, and those who use a smaller chair should bring their chair to Strings by the Sea.
-All students should bring the camp music, which will be sent via email before camp begins. Please download, print and bring all assigned music with you to camp.
-Students should bring a lunch (there is no refrigeration available, so please pack accordingly) or bring lunch money to eat in the cafeteria, only a few steps away.
-A sweatshirt or sweater is helpful, as classrooms can be overly air-conditioned sometimes.
-We encourage students to stay hydrated, so a water bottle or quarters to purchase water bottles at the Camp Desk would be helpful. Drinking fountains are not always working.

I am an adult string player. May I attend Strings by the Sea?
Parents of campers are encouraged to observe their child's classes. However, players in the classes will be limited to children who are campers.

What will my child do during the lunch hour?
When they finish eating lunch, students stay outside to do activities at the sports stations on the lawn, and/or to work on crafts-a different project each day - at the crafts table.

My child is allergic to ingredients found in pizza; can you provide an alternate food for my child at the Pizza Party?
We regret that we are unable to provide an alternate food at the Pizza Party. However, in the past other items, such as rice, have been available at the cafeteria, just a few steps away. We suggest that you inquire at the cafeteria during the week of Strings by the Sea.

This is my child's first music camp experience; will this be a competitive environment?
Strings by the Sea is a friendly, relaxed family camp where a spirit of teamwork and cooperation prevails.