FAQ

Q: What is and is not included in tuition?

A: All coachings, masterclasses, large ensemble workshops, panel discussions, recording studio usage opportunity, and catered lunches are included in your tuition. Pastries and coffee will also be provided at no cost each morning. Participants must provide for their own dinners. Tuition also includes tickets to Salastina’s opening night performance of the Shostakovich Cycle on August 16. Housing is not included.

Q: Do you offer housing?

A: If you require lodging, you may reserve it at Caltech’s Marks/Braun Dormitory for an additional $53 per calendar day. Twin-size beds can be on the ground level for medical accommodations, but are otherwise on the top bunk. Rooms are single-occupancy, and bathrooms are shared. Rooms are air-conditioned via a window unit. Please note that Caltech does not provide linens. The application includes a space for you to indicate whether you will need lodging at Marks/Braun. Housing will be billed separately. Caltech will send information about check-in the day before you are due to arrive.

Q: Where can I park during the workshop?

A: We recommend you purchase a weekly parking permit for $27 total. This allows you to park in any of Caltech’s lots at any time of day throughout the duration of the workshop. More info and a map here.

Q: What about FOOD??

A: Our schedule (scroll down!) has planned out nearly all meals; the tuition price reflects included breakfast treats and lunches, while we’ve planned for group dinners at which you’ll pay-your-own-way. Having said that, Caltech’s dining services are available to the public. Workshop participants are welcome to use their personal cards to pay for meals at any of the on-campus dining services. Coffee and pastries will be waiting for you in the Music House common area for your 9 AM rehearsals.

Q: How good, exactly, do I have to be at my instrument to participate?

A: At Salastina, we don’t think of “amateur” as a dirty word! We admire that amateurs of all levels keep music in their lives out of love. This workshop is designed for adult (18+) musicians who enjoy playing chamber music. Many participants are dedicated amateur musicians who play regularly with friends, in community orchestras, or simply for personal enjoyment. The focus of the week is collaborative music-making, learning from one another, and sharing the joy of playing together. Far be it from us to turn anyone away. Having said that: if you cannot read music and keep up with others playing something like Mozart of Haydn, you’re welcome to come back once you can. This threshold of participation guarantees a good experience for everyone — including you. If you’re unsure whether the workshop is a good fit, we’re happy to hear from you; write us at salastina@salastina.org.

Q: Do I have to audition?

A: Yes. The application form includes a space for you to share a video of you playing by yourself for at least 3 minutes. Please choose a piece that gives us a sense of the kind of music you’re able to play confidently.

Q: Can I attend with my preformed group?

A: Absolutely! Each of you will need to submit an application and non-refundable application fee.

Q: Who will choose repertoire?

A: The application form includes an opportunity for you to indicate repertoire and personnel preferences. If you are not attending with a preformed group, we will place you in a group with others at a similar technical and musical level. We will then choose a piece for your group to work on, taking your and your groupmates’ repertoire preferences into account.

Q: Do I need to prepare in advance?

A: A little advance preparation goes a long way. While you don’t need to bring fully polished pieces, preparing your ensemble’s repertoire in advance enhances your experience and the group’s progress.

Q: Will you provide sheet music?

A: When assignments are made, we will send a link to the edition we’d like your group to use. Unless you use a tablet to read music, please print this out. (It’ll have your markings in it!) In general, we recommend tablets for reading music. Our favorite music-reading app is ForScore. Pianists can turn pages by tapping; all others benefit from this Bluetooth page-turning pedal. For informal readings, you’ll have access to the robust chamber music library in Maia’s office at the Caltech Music House. Nevertheless, we recommend tablet readers for their portability, wide repertoire selection, and ease of instant downloads from IMSLP. If you truly must read something specific (and either can’t/won’t use a tablet or it’s not on IMSLP), it never hurts to bring it with you.

Q: What should I wear for the participant concert on August 15?

A: Use your common sense and confer with your groupmates. No shorts, jeans, dusty sandals, sneakers, or tee shirt fabric. Dress as you would for a job interview, church, or a nice dinner out with family. Black or coordinating colors/prints are not required, but fine if your group wishes to coordinate.

Q: For the participant concert on August 15, how can my friends and family attend or tune in to the livestream?

A: Your concert will be free and open to the public in Dabney Lounge. We’ll share the YouTube Live link with you to pass on to your friends and family who might want to tune in from afar. This link will also serve as the archival recording of your performance. It will NOT be searchable on YouTube; it will be a private link.

Q: Can I see the schedule?

A: It’s posted below! Scroll on…