The Perlman Music Camp

Shelter Island perches on the far eastern tip of Long Island north of "The Hamptons" and south of Wine Country. Ferryboats are the only way on the island and for 6 weeks in the summer, if you are already a world-class musician aged 11-18; it takes both a ticket and a boatload of talent.

Itzhak Perlman, one of the best violinist of all time, along with his wife Toby, started a camp for superior string players some 18 years ago and going into this new season, the program has both completely come of age and made its mark. Although intensive and exhausting, with a dawn to dusk and beyond schedule of rehearsals, lessons, ensemble work and endless practice plus those things that make a camp "a camp", the presence of these 37 young virtuosos and the Perlman faculty is a summer force in these otherwise bustling summer getaway playgrounds.

Students come from just about anywhere and it is all by a tough set of auditions and recommendations. If you can play - and really play - there is a spot for you no matter what your economic circumstances. With typical lessons for elite young players running well over $200/hour the chance to work with Perlman and his 2:1 student to faculty ratio is both a musical and financial bonanza.

"Seeing the Perlmans around the community..well it is certainly a star sighting", said Deb Simpson a lifelong resident of Greenport, a town right nearby. "You see the kids and the parents arrive and know that they be in full swing; putting our town on the international musical map - it is really something". Harry, who is a part time fisherman, makes a special point of setting his crab traps near the camp shoreline and rakes his clams a little bit slower so he can listen in. "Don't know nothing about long hair music but these kids can sure play. You have to be stone deaf not to realize it".

Toby Perlman had the vision for this life changing camp and students point to their experience not only with the pride of "making it" and attending but having the chance to hone their craft elbow to elbow with other great young players and a faculty next to none.

The camp performs several times locally and in New York City. For information please see http://www.perlmanmusicprogram.org/