General Questions
The program will be one week in length. For summer 2026, the program dates are July ? through July ?.
OC Summer Strings will be held on the campus of El Toro High School in Lake Forest, CA, a city in southern Orange County Californa. You can fly directly to Orange County or drive here, we are about 1 hour south of Los Angeles, and 1 hour north of SanDiego. Travel directions can be found here.
Application Process
Registration is open now. Register Now!
OC Summer Strings will begin sending placement decision announcements in May. The admission placement process will continue until the program is filled.
Learn more at How to Register.
Chamber Music
Chamber music is small ensembles performing with one person to a part and without a conductor. It comprises some of the most challenging, rewarding, and memorable musical experiences a student will have. Chamber music study develops leadership and interpersonal skills, critical thinking, and challenges students to incorporate soloistic playing in an ensemble setting. For the student who wishes to pursue a career in music, chamber music is an essential component of a complete musical education. For all students, chamber music opens up new possibilities for advancement and enjoyment.
Daily Activities
The OC Summer Strings chamber music program provides daily instruction. The program consists of daily coachings, group classes, master classes, and performances. Each group, depending on the level, will be responsible for 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours of supervised but largely self-directed rehearsal time per day. For more information, go here.
Here is a sample daily schedule (subject to change) but there will be slight time adjustments depending on the group:
Sunday
3:00pm – 4:00pm Orientation, ensemble greeting.
Monday
9:00am Arrival /Sign in and Daily Orientation
9:15am Ensemble Demo Class
10:00am Break
10:15am Chamber Music Concepts Class
11:00am Break
11:15pm Supervised Ensemble Rehearsals and Ensemble Private Coachings
12:00pm Lunch
12:45 – 2:45pm Supervised Ensemble Rehearsals, Ensemble Private Coachings and Concepts Coaching.
2:45pm Conclusion Meeting
3:00pm Sign out and Depart
Tuesday – Friday
9:00am Arrival /Sign in and Daily Orientation
9:15am Ensemble Demo Class
10:00am Break – Level 1 Ensemble Private Coachings begin
10:15am Chamber Music Concepts Class for Level 2 and 3
11:00am Break
11:15pm Supervised Ensemble Rehearsals and Level 1 Ensemble Private Coachings
12:00pm Lunch
12:45pm Supervised Ensemble Rehearsals and Level 3 Ensemble Private Coachings.
1:45pm Break
2:00pm Masterclass
3:00pm Sign out and Depart
Saturday
2:00pm Performance
After performance reception
Optional Private Lessons
Monday – Friday 3:15pm 5:00pm
Tuition/Financial Aid
Tuition is $350.00, this covers classes, group instruction, masterclasses and admission to faculty and student performances for the entire week.
Please contact us here if you have any questions.
Student Safety
At OC Summer Strings, the safety and well-being of students is a responsibility that is shared by all employees. In addition to the instructors, we will have staff available to monitor and assist the students during and between their individual ensemble rehearsals, coaching and classes.
Student Electronics Policy
OC Summer Strings will be a busy and intense program of a quality that is best experienced without the distraction of cell phones; we recommend leaving them at home if they are not needed while traveling. Students who choose to have phones at OC Summer Strings will be able to use them on a limited basis at designated times (tuning and metronome apps) and for non-emergency calls, in designated locations that will be explained after arrival. Cell phone use and policies depend on the age of the student. In the event of an emergency, We will provide telephone access to students. In the event of an emergency at home, parents can reach students through a number given at the beginning of the week.
Laptops and are not allowed but tablets may be used for viewing scores and tuning and metronome apps.
Students are allowed to use iPods and other portable audio players for the purpose of listening to the music they are working on.