All Strings Attached Summer Program

What is All Strings Attached?

Founded and operated by Anna Sammel Violin, All Strings Attached is an all-strings summer program designed for intermediate/advanced violin, viola, cello, and bass students to create fabulous music together!

This program is designed to challenge players in their technical abilities, musicianship, and performance presence in order to create music with a heightened level of sensitivity and musical awareness. For more information on our youth orchestra program, click here! Watch 2025's concert here!

Click HERE for info on our new SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM!

Click HERE to register! Register before June 1st to receive a T-Shirt!

Mission

Our primary mission here at Anna Sammel Violin is to nurture EVERYONE’S love of music in a fun, educational, and enriching environment! All Strings Attached strives to give young musicians an amazing experience performing in an orchestral setting while encouraging both teamwork and individual responsibility!

Student FAQs

Why should I sign up for this program?

Aside from the fact that orchestra is just plain AWESOME, this program offers young musicians a wonderful opportunity to rehearse and perform in an orchestra with other like-skilled musicians in a fun, enriching environment. Under excellent instruction, students will learn a variety of pieces, orchestral techniques, and performance etiquette. PLUS, you’ll get to meet new friends and put on a FABULOUS concert for friends and family on the last day!

Sponsorship

GENERAL INFO AND FAQ

WHERE DOES THIS PROGRAM TAKE PLACE?

The program will take place at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts (95 Riverside Parkway, Fredericksburg, VA 22406)

WHEN DOES THIS PROGRAM TAKE PLACE?

The tentative 2026 Schedule is as follows:

9AM-12PM Monday June 22nd- Rehearsal Day
9AM-12PM Tuesday June 23rd- Rehearsal Day
9 AM-12PM Wednesday June 24th- Rehearsal Day (possible extension to 1:30PM)
9 AM-12PM Thursday June 25th- Rehearsal Day
9 AM-12PM Friday June 26th- Rehearsal Day
9AM-2PMish Saturday June 27th- CONCERT DAY! (Full concert day itinerary TBD)

HOW MUCH IS THE PROGRAM AND WHAT IS INCLUDED?

It is $225 to participate in the All Strings Attached Summer Strings Program. In addition to participating in a high level group under the instruction of local professional musicians, students will have breakfast provided to them at rehearsals (served at 8:30), lunch on concert day, and a small reception following the concert! THE DEADLINE TO RECEIVE A T SHIRT IS JUNE 1st!

WILL YOU PROVIDE INSTRUMENTS?

No! Students are responsible for providing their own instruments. Music will be available online, but if you are unable to access or print it, contact the director and they will make sure you receive a copy. If you need an instrument, we recommend renting or purchasing one from the Fredericksburg Violin Shop in down town Fredericksburg!

HOW CAN I TELL IF THIS CAMP FOR ME?

Well, only YOU can answer that! This camp is designed for intermediate/advanced students. We recommend a student has at least 3 years of experience (including some orchestra/group playing experience), can playing in 3rd position, and can play most of their 2 octaves scales up to 3 sharps and 3 flats. You can find more details below.

"SEND A KID TO ALL STRINGS ATTACHED!" SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM

We believe every child deserves the opportunity to nurture their talent in a supportive environment, but we know financial constraints can prevent some children from attending. Our "Send a Kid to All Strings Attached!" Sponsorship Program offers aspiring young musicians the chance to attend All Strings Attached 100% tuition free. It allows individuals and organizations to pay the cost of a child’s tuition so children can still pursue their musical dreams and discover their full potential!

STUDENT ELIGIBILITY:
1. Have a financial need. This program is designed for families and students who need it in order to attend All Strings Attached. We are going by an honor system, so please, honor it. Don't be THAT person.
2. Must meet skill requirements for the program. Our program is designed for intermediate/advanced students, so we require every student applying for the sponsorship program to submit a video audition showing they meet the skill requirements listed below.

APPLYING:

Applying for our program is simple: 1) Fill out the form; and 2) Upload a link of your audition video with the form!

DEADLINE: The deadline to enter a submission is May 4th, 2026 but are reviewed on a first come-first serve basis. All applicants will be notified no later than May 11th. All students accepted into the sponsorship program are expected to follow the rules and policies of All Strings Attached.

DISCLAIMER: Applying to the All Strings Attached Sponsorship program does not guarantee sponsorship. Due to a limited amount of funding, applications are limited are to ONE PER STUDENT. All students accepted into the sponsorship program are expected to follow all rules and policies set forth for All Strings Attached.

Together, we can inspire the next generation of musicians. Let’s create a brighter future for the world of music! FULL DETAILS ON APPLICATION FORM! Click here to view and apply!

ORCHESTRA SKILL REQUIREMENTS

ASA is designed for intermediate/advanced students 13+, but if a younger student can meet the skill requirements for this orchestra, they may be able to participate with the director’s permission. AUDITONS ARE NOT REQUIRED FOR GENERAL PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM, but we STRONGLY encourage everyone to read through the skills requirements first to see if this orchestra is a good fit for them!

Skill Requirements

3+ years of playing (this is negotiable if a student meets the remaining requirements)
1+ years of group/ensemble experience (this can be a part of the 3+ years playing)
Comfortable playing in 3rd position (Recommended comfort shifting to 4th and 5th positions)
Decently comfortable playing the following 2 octave scales (for a pdf of these scales, click here):
- Major scales: C, G, D, A, F (violas cellos, basses only), Bb (violins only), Eb
- Melodic Minor scales: a, e, b (violins only), f# (violas cellos, basses only), d, g, c

The orchestra music is available to everyone in the google drive prior to sign up so students can determine if the repertoire is right for them. Click here to view.

Seating placement: We want students to focus on teamwork instead of where they are seated; therefore, except for principal positions, ALL SEATING WILL ROTATE throughout the week. Violinists should learn both the first AND second violin parts for every piece because all violinists will play first violin on some pieces and second violin on others (we will send out a tentative roster delegating who will play 1st and 2nd on specific pieces a few weeks before camp begins). All seats and sections are equally important and require different skills, so we want to give students the chance to improve all of those skills.

PRINCIPAL AUDITIONS

While auditions are not required for general participation, auditions ARE required for anyone interested in being a principal of a section. Skill Requirements for a principal position are as listed:

Minimum 3 years of experience
MUST be able to play the following 2 octave scales: C major, G major, D major, A major, F major, Bb major, Eb major, a melodic minor, e melodic minor, b melodic minor (violins only), f# melodic minor (violas, cellos, basses only), d melodic minor, g melodic minor, and c melodic minor. If you want a pdf of these scales, click here.
Comfort shifting to 3rd and 4th positions are required. Comfort shifting to 5th position is heavily encouraged.

Specific details for the principal auditions can be found here. Before signing your student up, please make sure your student is able to meet the skill requirements set forth. REFUNDS WILL NOT BE ISSUED DUE TO OVERLOOKING OR MISUNDERSTANDING THE SKILL REQUIREMENTS.

2026 REPERTOIRE:

You can find PDFs to all the pieces listed above here (please be patient as we are still working on uploading the songs). These pieces are meant to be challenging, but remember, this is still a place to learn, so if the pieces aren't 100% perfect, THAT'S OKAY! If you need to make a few adjustments to make it playable for yourself, that's okay! On the flip side, if you are a more advanced student and want to make it more challenging, you can do that too by focusing on playing in different positions, speed, and producing BEAUTFUL tone! Our number one goal here is to make the music as beautiful as possible and to have fun doing it!

**Click HERE to register for All Strings Attached!**

*BY REGISTERING FOR THIS PROGRAM, YOU AGREE TO ALL RULES AND POLICIES SET FORTH BY ANNA SAMMEL VIOLIN AND ALL STRINGS ATTACHED*

Skill requirements