Credo Program 2008

Dates | Faculty | Fees | Scholarship Oportunities | Calendar of Deadlines
Application | Auditions | FAQ’s

Credo is an intensive and invigorating program that includes music study, service, and performance. It is open to string players and pianists age 12-16 (16-day program) and 14-22 (three weeks).

Credo students typically hail from across the nation and several foreign lands, and cover a wide variety of social and faith backgrounds. They are united in their common love for (and excellence in) chamber music performance.

Credo String Program 2008:
“Opus 1” session:  June 28-July 13
 Three-week session: June 29-July 19

2008 marks Credo's tenth season, our seventh at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music.  All Credo students will work with the world-class faculty in master classes.  Additional level-appropriate focus classes and opportunities will be created for Credo (age 14-22) and Opus 1 (age 12-16) students.

Faculty

The Credo Faculty come to Credo from many of the leading music schools and orchestras across the country. Together they create the CREDO experience which is life-changing for many students.

Faculty for 2008 include:

Stephen Clapp, Violin; Dean of Juilliard School
Bryan Dumm, Violincello; Cleveland Orchestra
John Fitchuk, Chamber music; Wheaton Academy
James Howsmon, Piano, Oberlin Conservatory of Music
Lee Joiner, Violin; Wheaton College
Kangwon Kim, Violin, Biola University
Matthew Michelic, Viola; Lawrence University
Peter Slowik, Viola; Oberlin Conservatory of Music
Kathryn Steely, Viola; Baylor University
Anne Martindale Williams, Violincello; Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

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Tuition/fees
All-inclusive tuition, room/board fee for the three weeks is $ 2680
All-inclusive tuition, room/board fee for the 16-day session is $1790

Admission to the programs
Admission to Credo is made by “rolling admission,” with earlier applications having a greater likelihood of entrance (finding suitable chamber music partners).  To assure best student placements, Credo will distribute student applicants between the 3-week program and 16-day program (Opus 1) based on chamber music matches as they occur.  Applicants age 12-17 should be prepared to be placed in either session.

$100 deposit will be due within two weeks of notification of acceptance to Credo.  An additional $300 deposit will be due by April 1.

Returning Credo/Op. 1 students:  Returning Credo/Op. 1 alumni can secure a spot for summer 2008 by sending in an application and $100 deposit by Feb 1.   An audition for ensemble placement will still be required, but the application fee will be waived.   For applications received after February 1, normal application and audition procedures apply.

Share the Gift
Alumni and newly admitted Credo students have the opportunity to share time and talent with their local communities while generating support to help defray their costs of attending Credo. Credo's students are encouraged to organize musical performance or acts of service within their communities. Credo will offer students a discount on tuition based on their participation in this program.
More Information

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Financial Aid
SMI-Credo will make every effort to provide the appropriate assistance to make it possible for all students to attend Credo. Grants will be awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need and musical talent.
 If you are interested in being considered for financial aid, please check the appropriate box on the application and a separate aid application will be sent. Files of all financial aid applicants must be complete by March 10, 2008.

Scholarships: Counselor positions for college students
A limited number of upper-division college students will be chosen as counselors for Credo 2008. These students will be full participants in the three-week Credo program, and may receive special performance opportunities. Counselors will receive full-tuition scholarships for the Credo program: the entire cost of attendance for these students will be $1,000. Special consideration will be made for Oberlin Conservatory students or returning Credo alumni, who may receive additional partial or full room and board scholarships.

Scholarships for piano students:
Thanks to a generous endowment, Credo is able to offer a limited number of special full-tuition scholarships for talented piano students.

Scholarships for string teachers/high school music directors:
In collaboration with Credo, the ACMP Foundation, is offering a limited number of scholarships covering tuition and lodging to string teachers for the attendance of "Chamber Music Coaching Practicum Course" in 2008. For one week during the Credo summer program, participants will observe three hours daily of ensemble coaching, 1.5 hours of masterclass, and one hour of daily instruction on how to coach by Credo faculty (an acclaimed faculty from the Juilliard, Oberlin, and Wheaton Conservatories, and from our country's leading ensembles).
Applicants must apply by March 15, 2008.
More Information

Special Opportunity: Credo/InterVarsity Leadership Program
This program is for well-qualified university musicians (sophomore through grad school) who are interested in developing ministry and counseling skills. A limited number of students will be chosen to participate in a leadership training program, a joint venture of Credo and InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and will serve as counselors for Credo.

To Apply:
Selection for counselor positions will be by rolling admission, so apply as soon as possible.
 1) Apply via electronic or paper application, and complete the audition process
 2) Send an email to artistic@credochambermusic.org indicating your interest in a counselor position.
 3) Members of the Credo and/or InterVarsity staff will contact you for an interview.

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Calendar of deadlines for 2008:
February 1 – First admissions decisions made
February 20 – Additional admissions decisions made
March 10 - Complete file due for financial aid applicants
March 10 – Additional admissions decisions made
March 27 - Completed applications are due
April 1 – Final Admissions decisions made
April 15 – Final date for $400 total deposit due
Early June: Student orientation packets mailed
On or before arrival at Credo: Remaining balance due

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Application
Three items constitute a completed application (applications will not be acted on until all three are completed)
1) completed application
2) Application fee
          Mailed by Feb 15:  $ 40
          Mailed Feb 16 – March 15:  $ 60
          Mailed March 16 or later:  $75
3) Reference letter (from a teacher, youth leader, etc.)  Not required for returning Credo Students

Mail applications and any supporting documents to:
 SMI-Credo
 9 West College St.
 Oberlin, OH 44074

Apply Online

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Auditions
All students must audition for admission and placement. Applicants will be required to play two contrasting movements. Live auditions are preferred. Auditions by videotape (DVD or VHS format) will be accepted for students who live more than 100 miles from audition sites.

2008 Audition Dates/locations:

Oberlin
February 9
February 16
March 1
March 8

Cleveland (Strongsville), OH
February 15
March 7

Chicago area
March 14 and 15

Philadelphia
January 18

Los Angeles
February 22

Please specify an audition date on your application or contact the CREDO office at stringadmissions@credochambermusic.org or 440-774-3658 to arrange a specific time.

Questions?

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What is Credo’s minimum performance level?
Credo is open to any player who would benefit from the environment of intensive chamber music instruction. Some Credo students are prizewinners in national and regional solo competitions, others sit at or near the front of their youth orchestra sections, and others are solid players with good intonation and rhythm. Students are admitted to Credo based on finding suitable chamber music partners – thus compatibility with other applicants is more of a deciding factor than absolute talent/achievement.

I’m not sure whether if I should apply for Credo or Opus 1. What should I do?
Apply for either one (or check the box on the application that says you are applying for whichever we deem appropriate).
The Credo staff will make an appropriate assignment based on your experience, audition, and availability of suitable chamber music partners.

Is financial aid available for Credo?
Yes. Credo is committed to using financial aid to make our program available to all. Typically, over $70,000 of financial aid is awarded each year. Financial aid is awarded primarily on a need basis.

What are the age ranges of Opus 1 (and Credo) students?
The "official" age range of Opus 1 is 12-16, although exceptions can be made at either end of the age spectrum. The age range for Credo is 14-22. Credo participants generally will be older and more advanced than Opus 1 participants. The Credo musical staff will make the most appropriate assignment for all applicants. Applicants age 12-17 should be prepared for placement in either program.

Where do Credo/Opus 1 students come from?
So far, Credo students have come from over 38 different states, from New York to Hawaii, from Alaska to Florida! Over the years, students also journeyed from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Tanzania to share the Credo experience.

Is Credo a "church camp?"
No. Credo is a music program of high-level study and performance. Credo programs use faith and service elements to enrich and deepen the student's commitment to excellence and appreciation of the special power of music.

Are all faiths welcome at Credo programs?
YES! Credo (Latin for, "I believe") is a place for development and strengthening of faith. The required morning sing is led from a non-denominational Christian perspective by faculty (Baptist, Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Mennonite). At Credo, students from (virtually) all Christian denominations and several non-Christian faiths have grown together by discovering their common beliefs and respectfully discussing differences.

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