Point CounterPoint Chamber Music Camp

HISTORY!

Point CounterPoint was founded in 1963 on the shores of Lake Dunmore in Leicester, Vermont by the late Dr. Edwin Finckel, a New Jersey pianist, composer, and teacher. Dr. Finckel’s goal was to create summer musical opportunities for his students. Among these first camper/musicians was his son, David Finckel, now well-known as the former cellist in the Emerson String Quartet, the cellist in the duo of David Finckel and Wu Han, and the Artistic Director of the Chamber Music Society of the Lincoln Center.

The next owners and directors were Emory Fanning, professor of music at Middlebury College, and Diana Fanning,  a noted concert pianist, who directed the camp for ten years.  Under the Fannings’ leadership, Point CounterPoint gained an international reputation, attracting many students from foreign lands: France, Italy, Germany, Turkey, West Africa, Japan, Israel, Switzerland, as well as, Canada.

In 1989, ownership of Point CounterPoint passed to professional violinist/violist Dr. Paul Roby and pianist Margaret Johnson Roby, along with amateur musicians and family members Nick and Sue Jones. The Roby/Jones team changed the camp’s music focus to strings and piano, eliminating woodwinds.

In 2008, a new era began when Jenny and Steve Beck purchased Point CounterPoint.  New programs populate the summer calendar.  At the end of the summer, a one week camp (called Prelude) attracts the young chamber musicians (ages 8-13) who are looking for a shorter sleep-away camp experience.  Early in the fall, there is a 5 day Adult Chamber Music Workshop giving amateurs the opportunity to play music with new friends in a camp-like environment.  In June 2011, we launched New Music On The Point (NMOP).  NMOP’s focus is emerging, young musicians ages 18 and older who are interested in new chamber music.  At this innovative program, young composers, instrumentalists and vocalists workshop and perform the newest of new chamber music.

WELCOME!

If you are new to Point CounterPoint, welcome!  We encourage you to peruse our website, http://pointcp.com/ and watch our videos to get a better understanding of who we are.  You can see our lakefront campus, observe our coaches in action, hear camper, staff and faculty testimonials and even listen to some sample music.

To apply, please visit our application page, where you can easily apply online!

Please feel welcome to contact us, and ask questions.  We look forward to welcoming you to our PCP legacy!