Opus 360
June 8 - June 15, 2025
Welcome to Opus 360: where the future of classical music meets entrepreneurship! For eight days, you will be immersed in the world of chamber music. As a member of a string quartet or other small ensemble, you will rehearse daily, play in masterclasses, and give public performances. You’ll also go further together: in addition to honing your artistry, you and your colleagues will embark on a week-long entrepreneurial simulation. Armed with a $10,000 'Opus Bucks’ start-up grant, your ensemble will step into the shoes of chamber music impresarios, weighing and navigating real-world opportunities and obstacles to craft your very own organization from scratch. From programming to promotion, it's your chance to practice paving a professional path BEFORE your musicianship relies on it. But bear in mind! The direction of your organization rests in the hands of our Board of Directors. Will your proposal convince them to invest in your long-term plan? Will it inspire them to help you reach for the stars in more ways than you imagined? Your teamwork, ingenuity, and adaptability will shape the future of your generation!
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Program Highlights
Two chamber music coachings every day
Daily rehearsal time
Daily mentorship in entrepreneurial skills
Daily recreation time and team building activities
Two masterclass performances for every student
Two public performances
Opportunities to work with renowned guest artist faculty and professional skills presenters
About
Opus 360 offers pre-professional violinists, violists, and cellists a week-long, immersive chamber music experience at Chapelwood UMC. Through intensive coaching and mentorship, students experience the full spectrum of a music career, from artistry to entrepreneurship. Placed in string quartets or other small ensembles, students rehearse daily, participate in masterclasses, and engage in public performances. Alongside chamber music, students undertake an entrepreneurial simulation, guided by faculty and guest experts, offering a 360 view on skills essential for success in music and beyond.
At the center of Opus 360 is chamber music. Students will have multiple daily coachings with faculty, rehearse and learn multiple pieces of repertoire, play in every guest masterclass, and perform twice at the end of the program. In addition to a final concert for families, students will be coached in public speaking and audience engagement to prepare an outreach event in a local community venue. Daily activities will also include recreation time and team-building activities for balance and social bonding.
In tandem with chamber music preparation, ensembles will gain a “hands-on” approach to organizing and running an arts organization. At the start of the week, each ensemble will be assigned a fictional arts organization, which will become their identity for the duration of the camp. Armed with $10,000 “Opus Bucks” as start-up funding, students will plan their organization’s first season to be presented to our Board of Directors by the end of the week. Each day, students will be faced with daily opportunities and setbacks facing their organization, which will push them to collaborate through creative problem solving and goal setting. Guest experts in both the non-profit and for-profit business worlds will provide workshops on mission statements, fundraising pitches, non-profits, budgeting, and other skills that will guide students as they navigate the day’s opportunities and setbacks. The faculty, who are all non-profit business owners, will also work closely with ensembles to strategize, offer guidance, and most importantly, have a blast bonding over this immersive experience.
Daily Schedule
Opus 360 will take place from June 8 - 15, 2025, with all activities occurring at Chapelwood United Methodist Church.
Example Schedule:
9:00am - 12:00pm: Chamber music and rehearsals
12:00pm - 1:00pm: Lunch (students may bring their own packed lunch, or opt in to the lunch package below)
1:00pm - 3:00pm: Team building activities and entrepreneurship workshops
3:00pm - 5:00pm: Afternoon chamber music coachings and rehearsals
Select days will be reserved for guest masterclasses, faculty performances, outreach performances, and student concerts. These specific dates will be shared upon enrollment.
Tuition
Tuition for Opus 360 is $600. It is our mission to make Opus 360 accessible to students of all financial means. If tuition would prevent you from applying or participating, please indicate that you have financial need on your application.
Students may also opt in to be provided with catered lunch on each of the seven days when Opus 360 is in session during lunchtime. The cost of this meal plan is $150 in addition to tuition.
Eligibility
Students ages 13-22 are eligible to apply. Pre-formed groups are encouraged to apply. If you are applying as a pre-formed group, please complete an individual application and indicate the names of your other group members in the appropriate section.
Opus 360 is a day camp. We are not able to provide living accommodations for out-of-state students at this time.
Application Requirements
Admission to Opus 360 requires an audition, which will be conducted by submitting video recordings, and a recommendation from your private teacher. This audition will be used to assess the student’s skill level and personality in order to place them in a compatible ensemble. We encourage you to apply early for your best chance of admission.
Application deadline: March 1, 2025.
All students are required to submit an application to Opus 360. If you are currently a member of the Opus 1 Chamber Music School year-long program, we only require a candid video describing your interest in Opus 360.
For audition and introduction videos (3):
Submit as YouTube, Google Drive or Dropbox links. Make sure to select “UNLISTED” under “Visibility” if you want us to be the only ones able to view them.
Please introduce yourself and the piece you’re about to play at the beginning of both playing videos.
Your entire torso, bow, and violin must be visible in the frame at all times.
Obtain the highest possible audio quality.
Record in a space with as little ambient noise as possible.
Results
Applicants will be notified of their acceptance status by April 30th, 2025. Group Placements will be communicated by May 15th, 2025.