Credo Program 2009

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 age13-22.

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 2009:
July 5- July 26*

2009 marks Credo's tenth year of operation, our eighth at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. All Credo students will work with the world-class faculty in master classes.  The festival will culminate with a special festival concert in Cleveland’s world-renowned Severance Hall.

Credo students receive extensive daily coaching and mentoring with world-class faculty.  Students are placed in chamber music and residential environments on a basis of musical achievement and social development (age).  While in residence at Oberlin's world-renowned Conservatory of Music, students enjoy excellent rehearsal, coaching and practice facilities, a celebrated music library collection, and many recreational opportunities offered on Oberlin's park-like campus. It's a wonderful location to focus and grow. Take an Oberlin tour with SMI-Credo Artistic Director Peter Slowik to acquaint yourself with the campus and town. Student Chamber Music Coaching / Performance Each chamber group receives daily coaching and will be expected to perform several times each week. Repertoire will be assigned and mailed to students in June, allowing them to master their individual parts before arriving. This advance preparation combines with Credo's carefully matched assignments to foster unparalleled growth as individuals and ensembles. Service Projects As an important part of Credo's mission of service, students devote each Thursday to a variety of service activities. They share their special musical gifts in concerts at day-care centers, Oberlin summer educational programs, nursing homes, and prisons (for pre-professional/college students). They also experience the joy of accomplishment in such tasks as park site preparation, cleaning homeless shelters, and community beautification projects. Each service day offers an opportunity for faculty and students to connect outside the confines of the practice room, and to develop a life-long passion for serving others with our art and being.

A typical day at Credo includes: 1.5 hours of coached ensemble rehearsal 1 hour of uncoached ensemble rehearsal 2.5 hours of solo practice "Morning Sing" group devotional Instrumental master class or private lesson Sample Weekday Schedule: 7:45 - 8:20 Breakfast 8:30 - 8:55 Morning Sing 9:00 - 10:30 Coaching 10:45 - 12:15 Solo Practice 12:30 - 1:30 Lunch 1:30 - 3:00 Master Classes / Lessons 3:15 - 4:15 Solo Practice 4:30 - 5:30 Ensemble Practice 6:00 Dinner Evening - Concert, activity, or free time

Faculty

The Credo Faculty come to Credo from many of the leading music schools and orchestras across the country. Together they create the (often life-changing!) CREDO experience.

Faculty for 2009 include:

Mark Butin, Chamber Music,  Principal Violist, Honolulu Symphony
Stephen Clapp, Violin; Dean of Julliard School
The Credo Trio:
            Karen Burgman, piano
            Elizabeth Larson, violin
            Steuart Pincombe, cello
Bryan Dumm, Violoncello; Cleveland Orchestra
John Fitchuk, Chamber music;
Alan Harrell, Violoncello; Cleveland Orchestra
James Howsmon, Piano, Oberlin Conservatory of Music
Dr. Lee Joiner, Violin; Wheaton College  (on leave 2009)
Dr. Kangwon Kim , Violin
Marilyn McDonald, Master Classes, Oberlin Conservatory of Music
Matthew Michelic, Viola; Lawrence University
Peter Slowik, Viola; Oberlin Conservatory of Music
Dr. Kathryn Schmidt Steely, Viola; Baylor University
Milan Vitek, Violin; Oberlin Conservatory (on leave in 2009)
Anne Martindale Williams, Principal Cello; Pittsburg Symphony Orchestra

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Tuition/fees
All-inclusive tuition, room/board fee for 22 days is $ 2910

At Credo we are working hard to develop the financial aid necessary for all students to attend the 3-week program.  In an effort to open more doors for deserving students, we are adding the possibility of attending two weeks of Credo for the reduced rate of $1680.  All aspects of this program will be identical to the three-week program, except length.  The program will run July 5-18.

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). 

Returning Credo students: 

Returning Credo alumni can secure a spot for summer 2009 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.  In 2008 Credo awarded approximately $90,000 of aid.   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, 2009.

Scholarships: Counselor positions for college students
A limited number of upper-division college students will be chosen as counselors for Credo 2009. 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 2009. 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, 2009.
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 2009:
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 1:  $ 40
          Mailed Feb 2 or later: $60
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.

2009 Audition Dates/locations:

Oberlin
February 14
February 21
February 28

Cleveland (Strongsville), OH
February 23
March 9

Chicago area
March 20
March 21

Philadelphia
January 16

Los Angeles
March 14

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. Many 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.

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.

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, New Zealand, Canada, 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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