All About Baroque Cello Bootcamp

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Bow Technique Classes

Recordings still available to help you prepare for Bootcamp, or just to hone your skills! Click the link below for more information.

2024 New Year’s Resolution Hybrid Baroque Cello and Continuo Bootcamp

with Phoebe Carrai and Peter Sykes!

December 31, 2024 - January 4, 2025

in Cambridge, MA or ONLINE

Dates

 

The 2025 New Year’s Resolution Hybrid Baroque Cello and Continuo Bootcamp is changing with the times! We are offering 9 in-person or virtual positions for cello/bass and 5 in-person positions for keyboard combined with virtual or in-person (depending on space) auditors. Phoebe’s fabulous soups provided at lunchtime for in-person participants (along with shared participant offerings)!

Bootcamp will run:

  • Tuesday - Saturday December 31 - January 4, 2024

  • There wil also be some sort of cerebration for the new year!

In-person Location:

December 31 and January 1: First Church in Cambridge, Mass.

January 2-4: Memorial Church, Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Recordings of each daily session will be available to all full participants and auditors for 6 months after bootcamp.

In-Person

COVID Protocols

 

Please do not attend bootcamp in-person if you are feeling unwell or have not been cleared from a recent COVID infection. You can always attend online! If you are feeling unsure about your health, you are encouraged to wear a mask.

MASKING POLICY: Unless otherwise stated, masks are optional for all participants. Please follow current CDC guidelines for recent exposures.

Daily Activities

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Bootcamp activities consist of:

  • Bow Technique (Phoebe Carrai): Group class lead through a series of bowing techniques with the option to follow along while playing.

  • Continuo Toolbox (Peter Sykes): Group class of tips and tricks for keyboard continuo.

  • Masterclass (Phoebe Carrai/Peter Sykes): Individual instruction with a focus on solo repertoire.

  • Special Topics Lecture: Lectures prepared and presented by early music specialists from around the world.

  • Continuo Class: Individual instruction with a live soloist and keyboard or pre-recorded solos from Phoebe.

  • Conversational Break: A chance to chat with others between sessions.

  • a Recital at the end of bootcamp featuring in-person participants

Daily Schedule Sample

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For a detailed daily schedule please see

Bootcamp Schedule

 

We are currently revamping our Bootcamp Schedule. We plan for a day to last 10am - 5pm (ish). Masterclasses are spread out to accommodate participants living in other time zones. All times below are Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

  • Bow technique/Continuo Toolbox

  • Break

  • Masterclass (2 40-min)

  • Lunch

  • Lecture or Masterclass

  • Break

  • Masterclass (2 40-min) OR Continuo Class

  • Break

  • Masterclass (2 40 min) OR Continuo Class

IMPORTANT!: Baroque Cello Bootcamp pitch is A=415 for all events on gut strings and baroque bow (for Full Participants).

Please note: While the bootcamp schedule is rigorous, participants and auditors are able to pop in and out of virtual sessions as needed.

Special Guests

 

Special Topic Lectures

Lectures TBA

Continuo Sessions:

Cinthia Roberts - Violin

Vocalist TBA

What is it like to attend a virtual bootcamp?

Watch this video to find out!

Technology Requirements

for Virtual Participants

 

In order to virtually participate in bow technique, masterclass, continuo class, lectures, and hear recitals, you must use a device capable of running Zoom software

This would be one of the following: 

  • A computer with web camera capability

  • A smartphone

  • A tablet (such as an iPad)

Virtual Full Participants: In order to make recordings for continuo class or masterclass, you must have a device capable of making a video or digital audio recording. *

This would include one of the following:

  • A computer

  • A smartphone

  • A tablet

  • An independent recording device

IN-PERSON HOUSING

 
 

Baroque Cello Bootcamp does not provide housing for In-person participants.  We encourage you to use your local resources to find housing (i.e. staying with friends or relatives).

If you need assistance finding housing, please indicate this in your application. We will do our best to help you find housing, but we cannot guarantee this.

Prices and Payment

 

Scan this QR code to donate financial aid.

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Thank you for your support!

 

Prices 

  • Full participation (5 days): $450 (includes two masterclasses and one continuo class per session).

  • Auditor for 5 days: $225

  • Auditor for any single day: $50 per day (Day 5, a shorter day, is $25)

  • Additional Fees: We ask all in-person attendees to contribute $6 per day to lunch offerings provided by Rebecca. We will send out a lunch request form as well.

FULL PARTICIPANTS will contribute to all aspects of bootcamp. Cello tuned to A=415 with gut strings and baroque bow are required.

AUDITORS: No experience or special equipment is needed to audit Bootcamp. Auditors can participate in Bow Technique, Lecture, and Conversation Break, while observing Masterclass, Continuo and Recitals. Auditors are always welcome to ask questions in-person and via chat.

NEW STUDENTS! If you would like to participate in bootcamp, but Phoebe has not heard you play in the recent past, we may ask you to submit a short YouTube audition video by private link. 

Payment

PAYMENT for Bootcamp can be completed via Cash, Check, Zelle (online bank payment), Venmo or PayPal.

Payment instructions will be sent upon acceptance to Bootcamp.

Payment must be completed in order to receive the link and password for virtual participation in Bootcamp. 

FINANCIAL AID: Limited financial aid may be available for some students. Please indicate your need with a short note on the application form. Note: Full Scholarships are not available.

SCHOLARSHIP DONATIONS of any amount to aid less fortunate students are gratefully accepted! Please contact Phoebe Carrai or click this link to donate.