Summer Music Courses in Europe 2012
This year’s AFAF Summer Music Courses in Europe is split into two programs. The first, our Germany-Austria-Italy Tour, takes place between August 2, 2012 and August 12, 2012 and begins with a week of music study in Weimar, Germany, where we are once again hosted by the Liszt School of Music, and continues with an extended trip that will take participants to Innsbruck in Austria, and then to Italy where we will visit Verona, Venice and Milan.
The second program, our Russia Tour, takes place between July 3, 2012 and July 13, 2012 and consists of a week of music study in Kostroma, a historic Golden Ring city on the Volga River, as well as an extended trip to other Golden Ring cities as well as to Russia's capital, Moscow.
We recommend that you check this page periodically in the coming weeks as we finalize our plans and post various additions to both programs.
Participants will be mailed/emailed a personalized class schedule ten days before start of program - please make sure we have your current contact information.
Dates & Travel
Please note that air travel is not included in the program fee — participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements.
Germany-Austria-Italy Tour (August 2 - August 12)
First day of program: Thursday, August 2, 2012 (Weimar)
The Germany-Austria-Italy Tour begins in Weimar, Germany, with the music study portion of the program. Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to Weimar. The airport closest to Weimar is located in Frankfurt (Frankfurt International Airport) and is about 2 1/2 hours by train from Weimar.
Departure to Austria/Italy: Thursday, August 9, 2012
Last day of program: Sunday, August 12, 2012 (Milan)
Russia Tour (July 3 - July 13)
First day of program: Tuesday, July 3, 2012 (Kostroma)
The Russia Tour begins in Kostroma, Russia, with the music study portion of the program. An AFAF bus will be available to transport participants from the Moscow to Kostroma and from Kostroma to Moscow for a nominal fee, however participants are responsible for making their own air travel arrangements to Moscow.
Departure to Moscow: TBA
Last day of program: Friday, July 13, 2012 (Moscow)
Music Study Portion
Accommodations - Germany-Austria-Italy Tour
Accommodations in Weimar are provided in dormitories, which are within walking distance (15 mins) of the Liszt School of Music, and can house 2, 3 or 4 participants per room. In addition, participants may choose to be housed in a nearby hotel (7mins walking distance to the school), which offers a number of double rooms. Both housing options are located within walking distance of the Liszt School of Music and its many rehearsal spaces, classrooms and performance halls. In addition, participants will be able to make use of a variety of sports and recreational facilities provided by the Liszt School of Music. While in Weimar, dormitory residents will be provided with complimentary breakfast (buffet style) and dinner, while hotel residents will be provided with complimentary breakfast only. During the tour portion of the program, participants will be provided with complimentary breakfast.
Accommodations - Russia Tour
During the week-long music study portion of this tour, participants will be housed in a conveniently located hotel which offers a number of double rooms. Participants will be able to make use of rehearsal spaces and other facilities provided by the Kostroma Music College. Complimentary meals, including breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided to participants during their stay in Kostroma. Accomodations during the tour portion of the program will also consist of double rooms in a hotel where participants will be provided with complimentary breakfast and dinner.
Music Facilities, Lessons & Lectures - Both Programs
Ample practice and performance facilities have been reserved for participants of both our Russia and our Germany-Austria-Italy programs. In addition to daily chamber music rehearsals, solo performances, recitals, and orchestra rehearsals (Russia Tour only), each student will receive three private lessons, and will attend several music history lessons (Germany-Austria-Italy Tour only), 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 site of the respective program, and for a nominal fee to other participants. In addition, during the course of each of the two programs, students will have the opportunity to give several recitals. (Previous year's recital venues included a recital hall at the Würzburg University of Music, and the Liszt School of Music chamber music recital hall. We will post more information about recital venues for both of this year's programs as it becomes available.)
Excursions — Germany-Austria-Italy Tour
In order to provide students with a useful context for our 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 host city - Weimar, with its strong association with Franz Liszt, we will also be making day trips to Leipzig, Dresden, Eisenach, and Würzburg (these are optional excursions and are not be covered by the program fee).
Excursions — Russia Tour
During the music study portion of this program, participants will have ample opportunity to explore Kostroma itself, as well as the surrounding region. We have plans for a boat cruise on the Volga as well as an optional trip (not covered by the program fee) to Yaroslavl, a World Heritage Site and home of the the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral and the Church of Elijah the Prophet, which houses some of the most important frescoes of all the Golden Ring cities.
Tour Portion
Germany-Austria-Italy Tour (Innsbruck, Verona, Venice, Milan)
The Germany-Austria-Italy Tour (Aug 2-Aug 12, 2012) begins in Weimar, Germany, with the week-long music study portion. Then, on August 9, we will depart Weimar and AFAF's chartered bus will first take participants to Austria, where they'll be able to explore the historic town center of picturesque Innsbruck, then to Italy where we'll be discovering the musical and cultural heritage of Verona, Venice, and Milan. While in Italy, participants will have the chance to attend a performance of Georges Bizet's "Carmen" at Verona's internationally famous Arena di Verona (optional, not covered by program fee), explore the beautiful architecture of Venice and Milan's many cultural landmarks.
Russia Tour (Moscow)
Our Russia Tour (Jul 3-Jul 13, 2012) begins in Kostroma with the week-long music study portion of the program. We will then be boarding our chartered AFAF bus and departing for Russia's capital, Moscow, where we plan on visiting major landmarks and cultural institutions, like the Kremlin, the Bolshoi Theater, as well as the city's many museums and cultural landmarks. Other plans include a visit to the famours Moscow Circus and a Moscow River boat tour.
Application Requirements, Fees & Payment Schedule
Requirements: Applicants are required to submit a CD recording demonstrating their playing or a written recommendation from their music teacher. (Participants of previous AFAF Summer Music Courses in Europe programs or previous regular festival programs are exempt from this requirement.)
Application Fee: $100
The application fee is nonrefundable and will be deducted from the total program fee.
The application deadlines are as follows:
Germany-Austria-Italy Tour - January 31, 2012
Russia Tour - March 3, 2012.
Deposit: $200
The deposit is nonrefundable and will be deducted from the total program fee. Confirmation and a non-refundable deposit are due by April 15, 2012, with the remaining balance due by April 30, 2012.
Please note that due to extensive pre-arrangements that have to be made in order to ensure the success of this program, late registrations will incur an additional fee of 15% of the cost of the program, and that no refunds will be provided for cancellations made after May 1, 2012.
Program Fees & Discounts
Germany-Austria-Italy Tour: Dormitories: $2,450 (dormitory space may be limited)
Germany-Austria-Italy Tour: Hotel - Double Room: $2,990
Russia Tour: Hotel - Double Room: $2,990
Discounts: Participants of our regular 2011-2012 American Fine Arts Festival are eligible for a $100 discount off the total program fee. Participants of previous AFAF Summer Music Courses in Europe programs are also eligible for a $100 discount off the total program fee.
For parents & other family members: 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 $1,450 per person for accomodations in dormitories (Germany-Austria-Italy Tour only) and $1,700 for accomodations in a hotel (Germany-Austria-Italy Tour and Russia Tour).
Extra Fees: Please note that both our Russia Tour and our Germany-Austria-Italy Tour include several optional excursions which are not covered by the program fee. Specifically, the program fee does not cover the cost of excursions to Yaroslavl (Russia Tour) and Leipzig, Dresden, Eisenach, and Würzburg (Germany-Austria-Italy Tour). The program fee also does not cover any miscellaneous expenses, such as entrance fees to museums, theaters, music performances, etc.
Scholarships for AFAF Participants
Students who are participating in our regular 2011-2012 Festival are eligible to receive a $200 scholarship to the AFAF Summer Music Courses in Europe 2012. Scholarships will be awarded based on audition performances. Make sure to check the scholarship box on your 2011-2012 Season application form if you want to be considered for this scholarship.
Visa Information
Please note that a valid passport is required for travel and that depending on citizenship status participants may be required to have a visa to be able to enter the EU and/or Russia. For visas to Russia, we can recommend a visa services agency we’ve successfully worked with in the past.Please make sure to check entry and visa requirements and have all your travel documents in order at least one month before departure.
Additional Information
The American Fine Arts Festival assumes no liability 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 2011, please call (732) 671-2831 or email us at . All written inquiries and applications should be sent to AFAF, P.O. Box 106, Holmdel, NJ 07733.
