Miriam and Henry Schwab Academy of Music

About the Academy

The Miriam and Henry Schwab Academy of Music is an annual instrumental program housed at Ventura College’s Performing Arts Center.

An enduring gift from Miriam Schwab, The Miriam and Henry Schwab Academy of Music has three main components: an intensive three-week Summer Academy, the Henry Schwab Violin & Viola Competition, and an Extension Program during the Spring and Fall. The Summer Academy offers programs in Chamber Music and Symphony Orchestra. In this intensive three-week summer institute, all students receive classes each weekday from the Academy’s nationally-recognized faculty and present public performances each weekend.

Festival Director Robert Lawson says, “The students and faculty become a family, working together daily to develop their skills and to reach the highest standard of music making.” Academy alumna Sophia Holdorf adds, “It’s an opportunity to push yourself and learn in an open environment; we welcome each other’s experience, cheer each other on, and we build connections we’d never have any other way.”

In addition, “Music education teaches more than just music,” says Ashley Walters, music director and conductor. “It teaches students to develop a strong work ethic, how to work as a team player to meet goals, and provides students of all ages with an incredible community that can offer support and guidance as they discover and pursue their own dreams.”

Courses are designed to educate students and enhance their knowledge of instrumental music. Students who register receive professional instruction with music faculty who are internationally recognized experts in their field.

Professional Academy Faculty members representing each instrument family rehearse, coach, and perform with students.

Courses noted below are designed to develop and introduce Chamber Music and Orchestral instrumental music skills, attract artists from intermediate to advanced levels, and develop musicianship through many types of ensembles. Students can register for one or both courses.

2023 Summer Academy Overview

This three-week long program will take place from July 3-23, 2023.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Students will rehearse and perform each week with international and nationally acclaimed faculty members!
• Master classes with faculty and visiting guest artists                     
• Guest Artists will perform with students in selected ensembles. Certain guest artists will be invited to conduct orchestra performances

DETAILS

• Classes will be scheduled in the Ventura College Performing Arts Center
• Dates: July 3 - July 23
• Instructional courses and Chamber Music Ensembles meet M–F from 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM
• Symphony Orchestra meets M–F from 5:30 – 9:00 PM
• Performances take place Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
• The Henry Schwab Violin and Viola competition will take place in the third week of the Academy. For more information, visit our page on The Henry Schwab Violin and Viola Competition.

2023 Schedule of Performances

• July 8 (Saturday): Orchestra, 7:30 PM
  Verdi: Overture from Nabucco
  Brahms: Variations on a Theme by Haydn
  Ravel: Boléro

• July 14 (Friday): Chamber Music, 7:30 PM
  Program TBA

• July 15 (Saturday): Orchestra, 7:30 PM
  Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio Espagnol
  Grieg: Pyr Gynt Suite No.1
  Sibelius: Finlandia

   

• July 21 (Friday): Chamber Music, 7:30 PM
  Program TBA
   

Henry Schwab Violin & Viola Competition

• July 22 (Saturday): 7:30 PM

• July 23 (Sunday): 2:30 PM

All performances will be in the Helen Yunker Auditorium located at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center, located at 4700 Loma Vista Rd, Ventura CA 93003.

Tickets: (Click Here to purchase.)

General Admission: $15
Student/Senior/Staff: $5
Kids 10 and under: FREE

COURSES OF STUDY

Course of study include Woodwinds, Brass, Strings, Classical Guitar, Keyboards and Percussion. Students will rehearse and coach with Academy faculty members. Master classes will take place in the second week of the academy.

REGISTRATION

Registration for the Summer Academy will open in May 2023. Course titles and CRNs listed below can be found in the Ventura College Course Catalog. The VC Registration Information Page will give students step-by-step instructions on registering for courses through The Ventura College Portal.

STEPS TO PARTICIPATE

• Visit www.venturacollege.edu/apply to set up your Ventura College student portal.
• Once your student portal has been created, visit my.vcccd.edu and select Register for Classes. Search classes by selecting ‘Summer 2023’ and using the CRN# listed below.
• Pay fees (approximately $66 per class). Fees includes: tuition, health fee, & student activity fees.
• Placement Auditions (required for all students)
  • Both In-Person and Virtual placement auditions will be offered. In person auditions will be held July 1; 1–4:00 PM
  • Once registered, please contact awalters@vcccd.edu to schedule an audition time.

Participation is open to everyone ages 12 and above. Students below 16 require a parent signature, as well as signed agreements from school principal and instructor of record.

ORCHESTRA CLASSES

Symphony Orchestra meets Monday – Friday,  5:30 – 9:00 PM

•     MUS V15 (CRN #58682)- Community Orchestra
•     MUS V34 (CRN #58696) - Symphony Orchestra

CHAMBER MUSIC CLASSES

Instructional courses and Chamber Music Ensembles meet Monday – Friday, from 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM.

Chamber Music Ensembles, Intermediate

•     MUS V21A (CRN #58684)- Woodwinds
•     MUS V21B (CRN #58686)- Brass
•     MUS V21C (CRN #58688)- Strings, Keyboards, Percussion, Classical Guitar

Chamber Music Ensembles, Advanced

•     MUS V22A (CRN #58689)- Woodwinds
•     MUS V22B (CRN #58690)- Brass
•     MUS V22C (CRN #58691)- Strings, Keyboards, Percussion, Classical Guitar

Audition Placement is required for all registered students. Once registered, please contact awalters@vcccd.edu to schedule an audition time.

QUESTIONS?

2023 Schwab Academy Faculty

Ventura College Music Department is recognized as a leader in music education and has a comprehensive course schedule throughout the year, providing professional instruction and leadership to students. Register for courses including: Theory, History and Literature, Vocal, Instrumental, Jazz, Technology, and ensembles, including Opera, Choir, Orchestra, Chamber & Jazz, designed to educate your knowledge of music.

The Miriam and Henry Schwab Academy of Music is an annual summer music academy housed on the campus of Ventura College Performing Arts Center. The department is excited to offer a highly intensive three-week program of courses designed to develop and introduce Chamber Music and Orchestral instrumental music skills.  In its inaugural year (2019) we attracted 70+ young artists, developing musicianship through many types of ensembles. Students studied with music faculty who are internationally recognized experts in their field.

For future academies, we encourage students from Ventura and Santa Barbara county schools to register early on-line for summer of 2023. Throughout the three weeks students study and rehearse alongside academy music faculty. Chamber and Orchestral performance will take place every weekend in Ventura Colleges Helen Yunker Auditorium. The third week of orchestral program will be devoted to the Henry Schwab Violin/Viola Competition.

Ventura College Music department is recognized as a leader in music education and has a comprehensive course schedule through the year providing professional instruction and leadership to students that register for courses including theory, history and literature, Vocal, Instrumental, Jazz, Technology, and ensembles including opera, choir, orchestra, chamber, and jazz, designed to educate and enhance the knowledge of music.

I encourage you to join us in the future for the Schwab Academy of Music.

Sincerely,
Robert Lawson, Director
Schwab Academy of Music

An annual summer music academy housed on the campus of Ventura College Performing Arts Center, providing professional instruction and leadership to students that register for courses and music ensembles designed to educate and enhance the knowledge of instrumental music.

Courses are designed to develop and introduce Chamber Music and Orchestral instrumental music skills, attract advanced young artists, developing musicianship through many types of ensembles. Students will study with music faculty who are Internationally recognized experts in their field.