All Strings Attached Summer Program
What is All Strings Attached?
Founded and operated by Anna Sammel Violin, All Strings Attached is an all-strings summer program designed for skilled violin, viola, cello, and bass students to create fabulous music together!
This program is designed to challenge players in their technical abilities, musicianship, and performance presence in order to create music with a heightened level of sensitivity and musical awareness. For more information on our youth orchestra program, click here! Watch last year's concert here!
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Please read through our rules and policies BEFORE registering your child for our program!
Mission
Our primary mission here at Anna Sammel Violin is to nurture EVERYONE’S love of music in a fun, educational, and enriching environment! All Strings Attached strives to give young musicians an amazing experience performing in an orchestral setting while encouraging both teamwork and individual responsibility!
Why should I sign up for this program?
Aside from the fact that orchestra is just plain AWESOME, this program offers young musicians a wonderful opportunity to rehearse and perform in an orchestra with other like-skilled musicians in a fun, enriching environment. Under excellent instruction, students will learn a variety of pieces, audition techniques, and orchestral etiquette. PLUS, you’ll get to meet new friends and put on a FABULOUS concert for friends and family on the last day!
GENERAL INFO AND FAQ
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WHERE DOES THIS PROGRAM TAKE PLACE?
The program will take place at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts!!
WHEN DOES THIS PROGRAM TAKE PLACE?
The 2025 Schedule is as follows:
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9AM-12PM Monday June 23rd- Rehearsal Day
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9AM-12PM Tuesday June 24th- Rehearsal Day
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9 AM-12PM Wednesday June 25th- Rehearsal Day
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9 AM-12PM Thursday June 26th- Rehearsal Day
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9 AM-12PM Friday June 27th- Rehearsal Day
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9AM-2PMish Saturday June 28th- CONCERT DAY! (Full concert day itinerary TBD)
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HOW MUCH IS THE PROGRAM AND WHAT IS INCLUDED?
It is $200 to participate in the All Strings Attached Summer Strings Program. In addition to participating in a high level group under the instruction of local professional musicians, students will have breakfast provided to them at rehearsals (served at 8:30), lunch on concert day, a small reception following the concert, and a t-shirt! THE DEADLINE TO RECEIVE A T SHIRT IS JUNE 1st!
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WILL YOU PROVIDE INSTRUMENTS?
No! Students are responsible for providing their own instruments. Music will be available online, but if you are unable to access or print it, contact the director and they will make sure you receive a copy. If you need an instrument, we recommend renting or purchasing one from the Fredericksburg Violin Shop in down town Fredericksburg!
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HOW CAN I TELL IF THIS CAMP FOR ME?
Well, only YOU can answer that! We usually recommend a student has NO LESS than 2 years of orchestra/group playing experience and can play through most of Suzuki book 2 fairly comfortably. You can find more specific skill requirements below.
ORCHESTRA SKILL REQUIREMENTS
ASA is designed for 8th graders and up, but if a younger student can meet the skill requirements for this orchestra, they may be able to participate with the director’s permission. AUDITONS ARE NOT REQUIRED FOR GENERAL PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM, but we STRONGLY encourage everyone to read through the skills requirements first to see if this orchestra is a good fit for them!
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Skill Recommendations and Requirements
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Minimum 2+ years of experience (Recommended 3+ years of experience)
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MUST be able to comfortably play the following scales 2 octave scales: C major, G major, D major, A major, Bb major (violins only), Eb major, a melodic minor, e minor (violas, cellos, and basses only), b melodic minor (violins only), d melodic minor, g melodic minor, and c melodic minor. If you want a pdf of these scales, click here.
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Must be comfortable shifting to 3rd position. Recommended comfort shifting to 4th positions.
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Seating placement: We want want students to focus on teamwork instead of where they are seated; therefore, except for principal positions, ALL SEATING WILL ROTATE throughout the week. Violinists should learn both the first AND second violin parts for every piece because all violinists will play first violin on some pieces and second violin parts on others. All seats and sections are equally important and require different skills, so we want to give students the chance to improve all of those skills.
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PRINCIPAL AUDITIONS
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While auditions are not required for general participation, auditions ARE required for anyone interested in being a principal of a section. Skill Requirements for a principal position are as listed:
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Minimum 3 years of experience
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MUST be able to play the following 2 octave scales: C major, G major, D major, A major, F major, Bb major, Eb major, a melodic minor, e melodic minor, b melodic minor (violins only), f# melodic minor (violas, cellos, basses only), d melodic minor, g melodic minor, and c melodic minor. If you want a pdf of these scales, click here.
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Comfort shifting to 3rd and 4th positions are required. Comfort shifting to 5th position is heavily encouraged.
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Specific details for the principal auditions can be found here. Before signing your student up, please make sure your student is able to meet the skill requirements set forth. REFUNDS WILL NOT BE ISSUED DUE TO OVERLOOKING OR MISUNDERSTANDING THE SKILL REQUIREMENTS.
​2025 REPERTOIRE: "Strings on Stage!"
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You can find PDFs to all the pieces listed above here (please be patient as we are still working on uploading the songs). These pieces are meant to be challenging, but not too hard. Remember, this is still a place to learn, so if the pieces aren't 100% perfect, THAT'S OKAY! If you need to make a few adjustments to make it playable for yourself, that's okay! On the flip side, if you are a more advanced student and want to make it more challenging, you can do that too by focusing on playing in different positions, speed, and producing BEAUTFUL tone! Our number one goal here is to make the music as beautiful as possible!
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*BY REGISTERING FOR THIS PROGRAM, YOU AGREE TO ALL RULES AND POLICIES SET FORTH BY ANNA SAMMEL VIOLIN AND ALL STRINGS ATTACHED*
