How many coachings and lessons will I receive at Winterhaven? If you are coming as an individual, you will have two chamber groups while at Winterhaven: at least one of which will include a faculty member playing in the group. Each chamber group receives 6 hours of coachings during the retreat, and you also receive 2 one-hour private lessons. If you are coming as a pre-formed ensemble, your ensemble will have two works assigned, with each work receiving 6 hours of coaching during the retreat. Depending on enrollment, a faculty member may join your pre-formed ensemble for one work. Each participant in your ensemble also receives 2 one-hour private lessons.
What is a pre-formed ensemble? A pre-formed ensemble is a group that meets periodically during the year (not just at Winterhaven) to rehearse and work on repertoire.
Can pre-formed ensembles apply? Absolutely! Starting this year, we have a separate Application Form for pre-formed ensembles. Your ensemble will submit one Application Form - please visit our Apply page for more information. During the retreat you will have the opportunity to work intensely with just your pre-formed ensemble.
Why do you require me to submit videos of my playing when applying to Winterhaven? Winterhaven is an intimate retreat held at a smaller facility, which limits the number of participants we can have each year. We also use the video recordings to place participants into groups to best match skills and experience levels.
I'm a returning Winterhaven participant and am applying as an Individual. Do I need to submit video recordings again? No, you do not. However, if you feel your playing has changed significantly from your previous year and would like to submit current video recordings, please do. We use the video recordings to place participants into groups, so hearing your current playing ability will help us.
I'm a returning Winterhaven participant, but I am applying as a pre-formed ensemble for 2027. Do I need to submit video recordings again? Yes. If you are applying as a pre-formed ensemble, all ensembles must submit recent video recordings, even if members or ensembles have participated in previous Winterhaven retreats.
When will I find out the chamber music pieces I will be working on at Winterhaven? We will notify you by mid-October with your chamber music assignments.
What do I bring to my private lessons? You can bring whatever you'd like - you should choose what would be the most helpful and beneficial for you. This can be solo repertoire you are working on, your chamber music parts for the pieces you are working on at Winterhaven, and/or bring questions on technique to your lessons.
Do we get a chance to perform? Yes! On the last day of each retreat we have recitals (typically two) where any of the coached chamber groups can perform.
What is the atmosphere like at Winterhaven? We strive to create a supportive and friendly community amongst our participants, faculty, and staff that will continue beyond the week at Winterhaven. Meals are taken together, family-style, and the facilities at Avaloch Farm encourage informal gatherings with spacious rooms, couches, and sitting areas. Winterhaven is a smaller, intimate chamber music retreat - participant numbers are kept at 28 or below, so everyone gets to know everyone.
Will there be scores and parts available for sight-reading? Please note there is no music library at Avaloch Farm Music Institute, so we encourage participants to bring scores and complete sets of parts if they would like to read specific pieces. If you have a tablet, we encourage you to bring it so you can access scores and parts online for sight-reading.
How do I get to Winterhaven? Please visit our Directions page for this info.
Will it be possible to try to carpool with another participant? Please contact us directly - each participant will be asked to provide us with their travel plans, and we will do our best to connect participants who might like to travel together.
What time is check-in and check-out? Check-in starts at 2pm on Sunday, January 3rd (Session I) and at 2pm on Saturday, January 9th (Session II). We highly suggest arriving before dusk, and please try and arrive no later than 5pm. Check-out is by 10am on Saturday, January 9th (Session I) and by 10am on Friday, January 15th (Session II). There will be an opening reception mid-afternoon on the first day of each Session, followed by a meeting with all participants and faculty at 5:30pm, with dinner at 6pm. Breakfast is provided before check-out on the final morning.
I am attending both sessions - do I need to check out and check back in? No, you do not need to do that. If you are attending both sessions you can remain on premise.
Do I need to bring linens and towels? No need to bring these! Linens (sheets, blanket, and comforter) as well as pillows and towels are provided.
I have food allergies and dietary restrictions. Can these be accommodated? Yes. We will email all participants materials by mid-September, which include an online form for indicating any food allergies and/or dietary restrictions.
Can I bring wine or beer to enjoy with my dinner, or after performances? Yes! There are wine bottle openers and glasses available for use, and each suite has a small fridge to keep your beverages cold as needed.
Can my spouse/partner come with me? Each private bedroom has one double bed. If your spouse or partner would like to come with you (either for the full retreat or for part of the retreat) and share your bedroom, the cost is $100 per night, and includes meals. In your acceptance materials, there will be a place on the form where you can indicate a visiting spouse/partner.
Where can I practice? You may practice in your private bedrooms, and there are also sound-proof practice rooms in the basement of the red building. Rehearsal studios and the Great Hall are also available for use when not being used for teaching or coachings. Pianists will be given reserved time in the rehearsal studios for practicing.
Do I need to bring a stand? There are plenty of stands in the rehearsal spaces and teaching studios, but you may want to bring one to keep in your bedroom so you can practice there. Two other items that may be helpful to bring - a seat cushion and a small portable humidifier for your bedroom.
How do I sign up for a massage? There will be information on this in the materials we will send to accepted participants in mid-October.
Still have questions for us? You can contact us by email or fill out our Contact Form.
