An Introduction To Our New Home, Bryn Mawr

We are absolutely thrilled to be able to announce our new setting for the 2011 Cello Workshop for Adults: Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, PA.  It will be held beginning Sunday July 31 and will end on Saturday August 6th.  We will begin receiving applications after the New Year - watch this web site for details!  And keep in mind that CelloSpeak members will pay the same rate as in 2010, so if you are not already a member, register today!

Bryn Mawr (pronounced “brin-mar,” which in Welsh means “big hill”), founded by Quakers in 1885, is one of the Seven Sister Colleges and the first in the country to offer a PhD to a woman. The campus, long recognized as one of the nation’s most beautiful, is set in a century-old suburb eleven miles west of Philadelphia. The majestic stone buildings that anchor the campus were the first examples of the style of architecture that came to be known as “Collegiate Gothic” and have been copied throughout the country. These 125-year-old originals here on the campus of Bryn Mawr are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, so we will be enjoying the rarified (but air conditioned) air of academia at its most dramatic and classical.

The Gothic buildings, immaculately manicured grounds, stone walls, vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows, massive doors (most of which open surprisingly easily) make a setting for us that is like a trip to England or a Harry Potter movie set. The residence hall we will all use has elevators and air-conditioned sleeping rooms.   The same building has a very large hall which we will use for classes and choir rehearsals.  A magnificent Gothic building next door houses other air conditioned spaces that will be used for group lessons, teaching and vendor spaces.

The dining hall is a 3-5 minute walk to another building, but your cello does not need to go with you be cause the residence hall is secure and we will have “check -a- cello” rooms.  The dining facility is like a food court with many selections to suit needs and tastes, with lots of fresh foods and well prepared dishes.  They will gladly accommodate special diets with advance notice; sadly, there is no all-day ice cream bar.  There will be other groups on campus during our week, including young children, but we will work with the college to schedule separate meal times.

Our evening recitals will be held in a small, elegant, truly historic hall with vaulted ceilings and the trappings of the Renaissance.  Our Friday evening concert will be held in the “Great Hall” with almost unbelievable elegance.  Please make sure that before you come that you have a proper end-pin-stop since we cannot stab the 125-year-old floors, and be sure to bring a stand light because the chandeliers are a long way away.  There will be several things to adjust to in moving to Bryn Mawr and we will need to pay attention to achieving the closeness, joy and comradeship that we’ve worked so hard to build and maintain between participants and faculty.

The setting is pure joy itself, and we will surely make beautiful music there!