Decoda Winter Retreat 2025 Information

application deadline is November 1, 2024

Decoda Winter Faculty to include:
Alicia Lee, clarinet; Doori Na, violin; Saeunn Thorsteinsdottir, cello; Evan Premo, double bass; Elizabeth Joy Roe, piano

The Decoda Winter Retreat is located on the beautiful Potash Hill campus in the town of Marlboro, between Brattleboro and Wilmington off Route 9, in the rural foothills of southern Vermont. It is known not only for exceptional chamber music, but for the lovely countryside, farms, historic inns, delicious local food and drink, craft and antique shops, parks, and outdoor activities.
For all questions email decodawinter@decodamusic.org

General information

Join Decoda, Carnegie Hall’s Affiliate Ensemble, for five days of musical discovery at Potash Hill, the home of the famed Marlboro Music Festival. Participants will be placed in groups coached by Decoda faculty, and will also have the opportunity to play side by side with Decoda artists.

We are accepting applications from instrumentalists who play violin, viola, cello, bass, piano, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, and other instrumentalists that are interested in working with Decoda. Pre-formed ensembles are also encouraged to apply!

Curriculum includes  

  • Participants will be placed in two groups:

    • Group A: a dedicated chamber music group that will meet for daily rehearsals and coachings.

    • Group B: a dedicated chamber music group that includes a member of the Decoda faculty.

  • Groups will perform in a casual concert setting, in the dining hall on the Potash Hill campus.

Sample daily schedule

8 - 9am Breakfast
9am - 10:30am Group A coachings
11am - 12pm Town Hall on chamber music skills
12pm - 1:30pm Lunch
1:30 - 3pm Group B rehearsal/coaching
3 - 5pm Participant free time
5:30pm Cocktail hour
6pm - 7pm Dinner 7:30pm Large group reading sessions

Application Requirements

Click HERE

Tuition

Tuition for the Winter Retreat: $1000
Room and Board: $500 - which includes:

  • Single or Double occupancy rooms in dorms on campus.

  • Three meals a day provided by the Brattleboro Co-op. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options will be available at each meal.

  • Linens and towels are provided, although you are of course welcome to bring your own! The beds are extra-long twin beds.

payment schedule

All payments due by December 15, 2024.

FAQ

  1. Who will be on faculty at the Decoda Winter Retreat?
    Alicia Lee, clarinet; Doori Na, violin; Saeunn Thorsteinsdottir, cello; Evan Premo, double bass; Elizabeth Joy Roe, piano. More faculty to be added soon!

  2. Where will performances be held?
    Performances will be held in the historic Marlboro Dining Hall on campus at Potash Hill. Each group will have an opportunity to perform during the session.

  3. When do I arrive and depart?
    Check in will be on Friday, January 3 between 12 - 4pm. Check out is by 12pm on Thursday, January 9th.

  4. How do I get there?

    Amtrak has service to Brattleboro, VT on its Vermonter line. Those coming from New York, Philadelphia, and D.C. who don't have access to a car should consider taking the train. There is also Greyhound bus service to Brattleboro.
    If you must fly, and will be coming from within the continental US, it is best to fly into Bradley Field (BDL), located in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.

  5. How should I prepare to get the most out of my experience?

    We ask that participants come well prepared for coaching on each piece they have been assigned, so that coaching sessions can be as productive as possible. We will be emailing parts and scores one month before the beginning of the session. To become familiar with the piece, be sure to listen to one or more recordings, following along with the score.

  6. What should I bring?
    Bring your instrument and all necessary accessories. It will be winter in Vermont, so be prepared to bring humidification devices for your cases (e.g. damp-its, Boveda humidity packs, orange peels, etc.). Music stands and chairs will be available in all rehearsal spaces on campus. If you would like to be able to practice in your living quarters, it would be useful to bring a folding stand. There will be free time for music reading, so if you have specific pieces that you would like to read, please bring your own sheet music.