Lawrence University's Conservatory of Music launches two new summer music programs

Lawrence University is launching two new summer music programs in 2024, both delivering immersive training to promising young musicians.

The Lawrence Summer Music Institute, designed for advanced high school pianists and string players, will be held on campus July 14-21, 2024. It will welcome approximately 20 musicians for a week-long program focused on musical development through private lessons, chamber music coaching and performances, and workshops, all under the guidance of Lawrence Conservatory of Music faculty. Applications are now open at www.lawrence.edu/LSMI.

The Lawrence Chamber Music Festival, designed for advanced instrumentalists ages 18 and over, will be held on campus July 21-Aug. 4, 2024. Approximately 30 young adult musicians will gather for two weeks of chamber music workshops and high-level public performances under the tutelage of Lawrence Conservatory of Music faculty and special guest artists. Applications are now open at www.lawrence.edu/LCMF.

Michael Mizrahi, the Frank C. Shattuck Professor of Music and director of Lawrence Summer Music Programs, said these new offerings build on momentum from recent summer music programs.

"These programs will situate Lawrence as an international hub for chamber music study and performance while dynamically engaging with our local community,” he said. “We'll expand into the summer months the innovative programming, exciting performances, and experiential learning opportunities that Lawrence does so well, while deepening our unique and popular relationship with Mile of Music."

The Lawrence Chamber Music Festival will overlap with the annual Mile of Music festival, giving participants an opportunity to perform in collaboration with festival musicians.

Members of Founders, a quintet with a national following, will return to campus as guest artists at the Lawrence Chamber Music Festival. Combining classical, folk music, original compositions, and pop arrangements, the New York-based group performed at Lawrence in September 2023 as part of the Artist Series.

Both summer programs will give Conservatory faculty and visiting artists the opportunity to work closely with promising young musicians here in the Fox Valley and from around the world.

Brian Pertl, dean of the Conservatory, sees these programs as building blocks to greater community outreach.

“The Lawrence Conservatory of Music is on the forefront of integrating community collaboration, bold artistic exploration, and career readiness into our world-class music programs,” he said. “I am so excited that this same approach will now be shared more broadly with both aspiring high school musicians thorough the Summer Music Institute and aspiring pre-professional musicians through the Lawrence Chamber Music Festival.”

Email summermusicinstitute@lawrence.edu or chambermusicfestival@lawrence.edu for additional information.