Jazz Violinist, Producer, Educator

The Creative Strings Workshop and Festival offers string players from around the world an opportunity to study improvisation, composition, and non-classical styles in an experiential learning context, while bringing the city of Columbus a plethora of talent and musical energy . June 28-July 4, 2010 marks the 6th annual camp, when once again we will overwhelm the city with over 25 concerts in various venues throughout the week!

Registration for the Creative Strings Workshop is HERE!

 

Creative Strings Workshop Testimonial

 

Creative Strings Adult Workshop

Christian Howes’s Creative Strings Workshop focuses on improvisation in a variety of styles and provides  performance opportunities in clubs, cafes, theaters, markets, parks, etc.   While catering to adults/professionals, the CSW provides an intimate learning experience for students, teachers, and professional of all ages. Through clinics, rehearsals, jams, and over 25 public performances,  participants live a week in the life of a working creative musician. With a faculty to participant ratio of 1 to 3, participants work alongside world class string artists in jazz, fiddle styles, rock, R and B, world music, and more. Faculty includes Christian Howes,  Billy Contreras, Alex Hargreaves, Jeremy Kittel, Mike Block, Robert Anderson, Marcelo Vieira and many more. Says Christian, “My personal mission with this camp is to provide a life-changing experience for each participant.”

For an in-depth discussion with Christian regarding the Adult Program, please check out the video here, hosted at Yamaha’s hub:

https://www.yamaha.com/thehub/home.html?CNTID=5037998&CTID=5042026

As an adult participant, you’ll work intimately with some of the top creative string players in the world and perform in many of the public performances we present in one week. Look forward to moments like the one seen in this video with Nat Smith (wunderkind cellist who performs regularly with Mark O’Connor and Natalie McMaster) , Mike Barnett (premiere bluegrass and jazz player currently studying w/ me at Berklee College of Music , and Alex Hargreaves (youngest ever to win Weiser, he also won the the Grandmaster’s this year). When these guys gave this concert a couple years ago they were STUDENTS at the camp!

Typically, we average attendance of about 30 adult students and we provide 10-12 instructors! Besides, our instructors include some of the best in the world, like the inspirational fiddler Billy Contreras, featured in this video:

You won’t just sit back and watch these artists, you’ll actually rehearse with them daily in small groups and perform alongside of them:

 

CSW participants showing off their groove.

 

While the workshop caters to adults age 16 and up from around the world, we also host kids age 10-16 from the Columbus area for 4-hour daily workshops throughout the week. This video highlights the experience of local kids in the “youth program”

The Creative Strings Youth Workshop is an opportunity for string
players based in Central Ohio  from age 10-18 to experiment with and explore improvisational-based music and performance. 7th grade public school reading level or Suzuki book 3 i recommended as minimum level of advancement. If you’re not sure, we recommend you try it out and if it’s too advanced for your student we will gladly provide a refund.

During the week, students will participate in a jazz string orchestra ensemble and master classes. They will explore jazz, folk, rock, hip hop, and other styles with master technicians.

Each day, campers will have an intensive rehearsal, observe a performance by other creative string players, and engage in an interactive  creative clinic/master class. On the last day of the Workshop, there will be a dress rehearsal and public concert (location and time TBA).

What are you waiting for? Sign up! Come to get a push forward in your playing and musical understanding, get motivated and inspired, and become a part of an incredibly supportive and creative international community of artists like yourself.
Feel free to contact me directly at chris@christianhowes.com with questions, join our group, “Creative String Players”, on Facebook, or check out free articles and videos by subscribing to my blog at this site.

Participants and instructors had the following to say after the  CSW:
Thanks so much for everything this week. the creative strings workshop was incredible, all of the sessions were brilliant, the teachers inspiring, and I absolutely think you accomplished your goal of changing all of our musical lives! I can’t wait for the next one …and just so you know, I’ve already got my eye on several fellow string players I want to try to bring with me next year
- Corinna (Participant)

There was jazz, bluegrass, hip-hop and a mix of anything and everything. For me, it was a good wake-up call to take what I know improvisationally to the next level. There were more rockstars there than I knew how to handle. Seriously, there were some intense, inspiring players and nice people to boot.
- Amber (Participant)

The “Creative Strings Workshop” is a one of a kind performing and educational session for young professionals and developed players alike. In it’s mission statement, founder (Violinist/Educator) Christian Howes promises to lead participants through a week in the shoes of a performing musician. I truly believe that this program includes the highest level of ability I’ve seen. Through clinics, rehearsals, and daily public performances, players in the workshop truly do get a real taste of what a traveling performing musician lives like, which is why I fully support this program and look forward to seeing it be promoted as THE place for young professionals and developed players of the present and future.
- Dana Leong (Rising Star Cellist and Instructor)

Christian, I wanted to thank you so much for the experience that Joanna and I had at CSW.  It was truly one of the most invigorating and inspiring weeks we’ve had with music. While I’ve always wanted to make a go of it in music, it wasn’t until I finished the week in Columbus that I really felt like I could, and for that I’m really grateful. Joanna feels very much the same way. I will be in touch about coming to study with you in New York at some point, hopefully sooner, rather than later. Thanks again, we can’t wait until the next CSW.
Best Regards, Iain

Dude, I had an awesome time at ur camp. I can’t wait till next year!
- Colin  (Berklee student and participant)