SMI-Credo offers intensive pre-professional music programs which represent a unique amalgam of musical development, rewarding service projects, and personal/spiritual growth.

We also offer a special program for high school string teachers, the Chamber Music Coaching Practicum Course.

Credo is an intensive chamber music program for exceptional string and piano students.  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).  Older/pre-professional students participate for three weeks.  Younger/advanced students (Opus 1) participate for 16 days, sharing Master Classes with Credo Students, and also receive special enrichment opportunities.  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 weekly. 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.

Click below to discover the possibilities:

For ages 12-16

For ages 14-22

A Typical Credo (or Opus1) day 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

• 7:30 - 8:00 Breakfast
• 8:15 - 8:45 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