Elite Musicians and Nearly 50 Students Gather for the 2019 Violin & Viola Summit

The June 2019 Violin & Viola Summit of the David Kim Orchestral Institute celebrated four years of exponential growth in size, scope, and outcomes. Nearly 50 participants from three countries and 12 states gathered on the campus of Cairn University for an eight-day intensive experience focused on orchestral playing and auditions. Two specialized tracks were designed to meet pre-college students and college/post-college students appropriately in their musical lives and abilities.
David Kim, concertmaster of The Philadelphia Orchestra, has carefully crafted the DKOI experience to include one-on-one interactions with elite faculty members in the classical music world. Many of the DKOI faculty look forward to the annual eight-day summit as the highlight of their summer. The intimate environment allows for high interaction amongst the faculty and students throughout the week that results in musical, personal, and spiritual growth.
The many professional services and seminars included in the scheduled activities provide a whole-person experience. Group yoga classes, shoulder & chin rest consultations, resume seminars, and professional photo shoots were highlights of the 2019 summit. Frequent performance opportunities were also key elements of the experience.The students, faculty, and community enjoyed a trip to Philadelphia to hear The Philadelphia Orchestra perform, a special faculty concert, quartet reading sessions, a chamber music reading party, and a culminating student concert to celebrate the end of DKOI 2019. There was an overwhelming sense of non-competitive community amongst the participants—something quite uncommon amongst musicians. 
Caroline Ewan, a 2019 participant noted that, “DKOI is essential for anyone looking to audition for professional orchestras. It provides a complete understanding of what is required and expected to play a successful audition and really helps focus your preparation correctly.”
The opportunity for the participants of DKOI 2019 to experience private lessons, master classes, and all other activities was made possible by generous supporters. If you would like to learn more about supporting the David Kim Orchestral Institute, please contact Tammy Butler, vice president of philanthropy, at [email protected] or 215.702.4395.

Abbie Mulhern is the music recruitment and events coordinator at the University and is the managing director of the David Kim Orchestral Institute at Cairn University. She can be reached at [email protected].