2009 Summer Guide
Music Director: Vladimir Agilin
Dates & Travel
First day of program: Tuesday, August 4, 2009.
End of Part I, departure to Nuremberg: Tuesday, August 11, 2009.
Last day of program: Friday, August 14, 2009
The city of Weimar, where our 2009 program begins, is about 2 1/2 hours by train from Frankfurt. Air travel to Europe and transportation to Weimar is not included in the program fee – participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements.
Part I - Weimar
Accomodations
Accomodations will be provided in dormitories in the vicinity of the Liszt School of Music Weimar and offer double rooms for over 100 people. (Larger rooms can be provided for siblings or those traveling with parents or guardians.) Dormitories are located within a short distance from the Liszt School of Music and its many rehearsal spaces, classrooms and performance halls. In addition, you will be able to make use of a variety of sports and recreational facilities provided by the Liszt School of Music. Excellent meals, including buffet-style, will be provided for breakfast and dinner.
Music Facilities, Lessons & Lectures
Ample practice and performance facilities have been reserved for participants of AFAF's Summer Music Program in Europe at the Liszt School of Music's beautiful Main Building (Fürstenhaus). In addition to daily chamber music rehearsals, solo performances, and recitals, each student will receive three private lessons, and will attend four music history lessons (on Liszt, Schumann, Handel, Bach and Mendelssohn), and have the opportunity to participate in masterclasses. Advanced students with an interest in chamber music will be able to attend chamber music classes. Please note that masterclasses will be offered free to winners of a competition to be held on location in Weimar.
Excurions - Halle, Zwickau & Leipzig
In order to provide students with a useful context for our four planned music history lessons, we have arranged to visit the cities most associated with the composers we'll be covering in this year's program. So, in addition to exploring our 2009 host city - Weimar, with its strong association with Franz Liszt, we will also be making day trips to Halle, Zwickau and Leipzig where our students we'll be able to learn more about Handel, Schumann and Mendelssohn respectively. At the conclusion of this first half of our summer program, students will give two recitals, one at the famous Altenburg, where Franz Liszt resided in the years following 1848, and the other at the Seebach-Stift.
Part II - Nuremberg, Munich, Salzburg, Vienna
On Tuesday, August 11, 2009, we will conclude the first half of our program and depart Weimar. Our chartered bus will take us first to Nuremberg then to Munich - the birthplace of Richard Strauss and the home of the National Theater, which, during its long history saw the premieres of many of Richard Wagner's operas. The next day we'll be moving on to Salzburg, where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born and raised. Finally, we will arrive in Vienna - city of music, the birthplace of Johann Strauss and home of the world-famous Vienna Philharmonic. Overnight stays are currently planned in Munich, Salzburg and Vienna, with plenty of time to explore these great cities' musical and cultural heritage.
Fees, Payment Schedule & Application Requirements
Requirements: Applicants are required to submit a CD recording demonstrating their playing or a written recommendation from their music teacher.
Application Fee: $100
The application fee is nonrefundable and will be deducted from the total program fee. The deadline for receipt of completed applications and support materials (see above) is January 26, 2009.
Deposit: $200
The deposit is nonrefundable and will be deducted from the total program fee. Confirmation and a non-refundable deposit are due by February 10, 2009, with the remaining
balance due by February 26, 2009.
Total Program Fees:
Double Room: $2,400 ($2,300 for participants of the 2008-2009 American Fine Arts Festival)
The program fees covers tuition, room & board during our stay in Weimar, official festival activities, as well as transportation to and accomodations in Nuremberg, Munich, Salzburg, Vienna. (Please note that the program fee does not cover the cost of excursions to Halle, Zwickau and Leipzig and it does not cover any miscellaneous expenses, such as entrance fees to museums, etc.)
The AFAF can provide accommodations for those parents or family members who wish to accompany participants for the duration of the program. The cost of room & board for parents/guardians is $1,400 per person. Please call for more information.
Due to extensive pre-arrangements that have to be made in order to ensure the success of this program, no refunds will be provided for cancellations made after April 15, 2009.
Scholarships for AFAF Participants
Students who are participating in our regular 2008-2009 Festival are eligible to receive a $200 scholarship to the AFAF Summer Music Courses in Europe 2009. Scholarships will be awarded based on audition performances. Make sure to check the scholarship box on your 2008-2009 Season application form if you want to be considered for this scholarship.
Visa Information
Remember that a valid passport is required for travel. Participants who are not US/EU citizens should check current visa requirements with the nearest German Consulate at least one month before departure.
Additional Information
The American Fine Arts Festival will not be liable for medical emergency or other health related expenses. Participants are required to submit proof of medical insurance.
The American Fine Arts Festival assumes no liability for damage, theft or injury that may occur during the course of the program.
Questions?
For more information about the AFAF Summer Music Courses in Europe 2009, please call (732) 671-2831. All written inquiries and applications should be sent to AFAF, P.O. Box 106, Holmdel, NJ 07733.
