The Raphael Chamber Music Workshop is one of the original adult chamber music programs in the United States. Established in 1982 and operated and directed by the Raphael Trio’s founding members, the program is recognized for its emphasis on honing chamber music rehearsal skills, attention to musical detail, and getting “under the skin” of the music – in short, in-depth chamber music study.
“What an extraordinary week! Bracing and intense, humane, and very rich in the kind of music making that is, for most of us in our workaday lives, rare and precious. I don’t know how you put this all together so that all the parts work so fluently – the inspired coaching, the fit of the ensembles, the cast of characters. Perfection — or damned close.”
Richard Kramer, Musicologist, New York, NY“This workshop was truly a special experience. I was first wooed by the beauty of the campus, and then by the rigor and ambition that the coaches brought to our practice sessions. But more than anything, I was struck by the genuine joy that suffused every moment — coachings, meals, reading sessions, performances. After seeing so many musical communities dominated by feelings of competition and judgement, this week was a reminder that the most moving musical experiences stem not from some version of “perfection,” but from shared delight and investment in the process of bringing the music to life.”
Dr. Lindsay Wright, Assistant Professor of Music at Yale, New Haven, CT
Musicians gather each August in the beautiful mountains of southern New Hampshire from all over the US and points as distant as Europe, Asia, and Africa. Whether coming as individuals or with a pre-formed group, all participants daily receive intensive coaching on every piece they are playing from a dedicated faculty of active chamber music professionals.
“Each year, I look forward with growing anticipation to the Raphael Trio Workshop; that such a high quality musical opportunity can coexist with such pleasant fellowship and relaxed ambience is a wonder and a joy.”
Ashok Chandrasekhar, Attorney, Tel Aviv, Israel“If for a moment I forgot that particular conversation after your reading of op. 130, it must have been just symptomatic of the total immersion I found myself in for the whole week, as the great works I was playing never left me, kept me awake, filled my mind. Not that they don’t anyway, but that is immersion. Again I will say that you created an environment in which the most varied people could join in a common musical purpose, from each according to his or her abilities. A rare gift.”
Lewis Lockwood, Musicologist, Boston, MA
An extraordinarily high level of care is devoted to the organization of groups and selection of repertoire – based upon each participant’s instrumental level and ensemble experience – and participants have several months in advance of the program to practice their parts and study scores in preparation for the workshop.
“The two weeks in New Hampshire were very special again. Thank you for letting me be a part of it. I realized on the day everybody left how everything turned so prosaic, as if a magic spell were lifted. Of course it is a combination of things, but mainly the intention of playing chamber music as a way of human interaction — without any other goal — really changes the atmosphere.”
R. Florey, Violinist, Austria
The exceptional facilities at the High Mowing School in Wilton, NH, provide the ideal setting and structure for the program. Participants are housed in private rooms in attractive, comfortable dormitories, and shared facilities. The cuisine is one of the high points of the non-musical experience! Meals are served in a spacious, recently renovated dining hall, and all food is organic, much of it from local farms and producers. There are tennis courts on campus, a swimming pool, and many lakes and hiking trails nearby.
Information and Application for 2024 Summer Season can be found here.
Read what participants have to say about the workshop