Capitol Sound Strings 2025 Summer Festival
June 16-18 Festival
June 19 Final Concert
Rocklands Farm, Maryland
We have designed an exciting 3-1/2 day festival for Violin, Viola, and Cello students to explore collaborative music in a variety of new and fun ways! Facilities provide cover from rain.
Held on the beautiful setting of Rocklands Farm & Winery.
Violin and Cello students (Suzuki Level Book 1-6/ASTA Level 1-4) will engage with others as we explore orchestral playing, fiddling, and group classes. We welcome students from both Suzuki and Traditional programs.
The Advanced Strings Program welcomes Advanced Violin/Viola/Cello Students (Suzuki Books 7-10+ / ASTA Level 5 - 6). Students will work with members of the National Symphony and University of Maryland on Mozart Concerti for violin, Repertory Class for Cello (one of movement of Bach and one solo of your choice), and participate in a daily ensemble and a technique class.
Program Schedule
Mon/Tues/Wed, June 16, 17, 18. 10:00AM - 3:00PM / 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM for Advanced String Students
Pizzicati Strings (Suzuki Book 1-2 / ASTA Level 1-2)
Beginners’ Orchestra / Repertory Class / Early Fiddling
Arco Strings (Suzuki Books 3-6 / ASTA Level 3-4)
Intermediate Orchestra / Repertory Class / Fiddling
Advanced String Seminar (Suzuki Books 7-10+ / ASTA Level 5 - 6)
Mozart Concerto Seminar for Violins & Repertory Class for Cello (one of movement of Bach and one solo of your choice)/ Technique Class / Advanced Ensemble
Wednesday, June 18. 3:15PM
Advanced String Program Students’ Performance
Thursday, June 19. 10:00 AM
Final Concert for Pizzicati and Arco Strings
Faculty Listing
Susan Abell, cello & orchestra
(Western Kentucky University, KY)
Elizabeth Cunha, violin & music theory games
(Silver Strings Suzuki, MD)
Chris Fiore, cello
(MD)
Dan Foster, viola
(National Symphony, DC)
Joel Fuller, violin
(National Symphony, DC)
Susan Fuller, violin & festival co-director
(Capitol Sound Strings, MD)
Rachel Young, cello
(National Symphony, DC)
Jasmine Lee, piano accompanist
(MD)
David Salness, violin
(University of Maryland & The Left Bank Quartet, VA)
Chris Sanchez, violin & festival co-director
(Capitol Sound Strings, MD)
Briannah Steele, violin
Commitment to Adult Supervision of Minor Students
Parents are responsible for ensuring that evey child they register is accompanied by an adult. The designated adult is responsible for supervising them throughout the duration of the program. Teenagers may attend unaccompaied, provided that one parent signs and submits a waiver.
Refund Policy
A $50 cancelation fee will be charged per attendee for cancelations on or before May 1. All other fees are refundable when a written request is sent to Chris Sanchez via email by May 1. Refund requests emailed on or after May 1 will not be honored.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I see that kids my Suzuki student in Book 2 is grouped together with a Book 3 student. My son just started Book 2. Will he be overwhelmed playing with kids in Book 4?
A: Students who enroll in the Pizzicati and Arco Strings will be divided into two daily repertory classes subgroups. While your child may be in the same class as Book 3 students, he/she will only be expected play the pieces on the study list up to his/her most advanced piece. When each child is finished playing their most polished piece, they are expected to watch and learn from the more advanced players.
Q: My child does not study with a Suzuki teacher. Can we still enroll?
A: Yes! Repertory classes are the only classes that will contain some Suzuki-based repertoire. For those classes, a repertory study list will be distributed on May 1, so that everyone will have 7 weeks to prepare their music in advance of the festival. Advanced preparation is required for all students.
Q: 10:00-3:00 might be a long day for my five-year-old. Will there be play time? Rest time? Lunch time?
A: Yes! We think about all of this as we create the schedules, especially for the youngest children. Pizzicati Strings students will be scheduled for four hours starting at 10am and ending at 2pm (consisting of: two consecutive classes, one play/lunch hour, and a third nonconsecutive class).
Q: How does a parent with multiple kids manage being in several groups at once?
A: This situation is improbable considering the wide breadth of advancement for each group, but possible. In this case, I would ask another trusted parent to watch over one of your children while you attend the class of the child who may need more of your guidance.
Q: When should we plan to arrive on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday?
A: Most students will need to arrive by 9:45am to be on time for their 10am class. Most students will start at either 10am or later and should plan to arrive by 20-30 minutes before their first class. Individualized scheduled will be delivered by June 15.
Q: Will my child be expected to prepare music in advanced of the festival?
A: YES. Students will be given a repertory list, posted by May 1, which they must prepare before arrival. Orchestra Music & Advanced Ensemble Music and will be sent to students by May 1, with the expectation that it will be learned thoroughly before arrival.
Q: Will lunch be provided? What about dinner for Wednesday before the concert?
A: There are charcuterie selections, chips and drinks available at the winery. You may also wish to bring your own lunch.
