Till Project Summer Symposium

July 13th-18th, 2026

Online and in person at Watkins Glen, NY

Registration Deadline: June 15th

A note from our faculty:

The Till Approach is based on concrete principles that remain intact even as they are applied to different situations. Participants are actively encouraged to attend all workshops, regardless of their area of focus.

All sessions will be recorded for participants unable to attend live.

In-person participants should plan to arrive on July 12th and leave July 19th.

Schedule

Series will run daily, with the exception of Till Project Community Day (Thursday, July 16th)

Core Principles of the Till Approach

9:00-10:15 a.m. Eastern

What sets the Till Approach apart is its use of clear concepts and principles that can be felt in the body. While these fundamental principles remain the same, our knowledge of them continually deepens as we revisit them.

Please note that Core Principles will be divided into three groups that will run concurrently. Relevant videos will be sent to everyone at the conclusion of the program. A group will be suggested for each participant upon registration.

Group 1

Holding the Instrument

Right Arm Holding Mechanism & Moving Mechanism

Left Arm Fundamentals: the Point of Sound

Basic Tone Production and a New Understanding of Martelé

Walking Hand and Arm & the 4 Axes

Group 2

Leaps

Right Arm Shaping

Double Stops

Off the String Strokes

Vibrato and Grouping

Group 3

Advanced Leaps

Advanced Off-the-String Strokes

Advanced Double Stops

Left Arm Shaping

Tools for Expression

Mini-Series: Forearm Rotation

10:45-11:15 a.m. Eastern

This daily mini-series will focus on one of the cornerstones of the Till Approach: forearm rotation. Participants will receive thorough information on the mechanics of the movement as well as its application in conjunction with other tools to achieve speed, power, and accuracy in all musical settings.

Please note that the Rotation series will be divided into two groups that will run concurrently. A group will be suggested for each participant upon registration.

Special Topics: Information in Action!

12:00 p.m.-1:15 p.m. Eastern

These sessions will offer an opportunity to see how the principles of the Till Approach are applied in diverse contexts, from problem solo passages to orchestral excerpts to pedagogy.

Session 1: Till Approach Notation

An in-depth look at Till-Approach-specific score annotations

Session 2: Mendelssohn Octet

Special considerations for this classic from the chamber music repertoire

Session 3: Teaching Double Stops

A thorough guide to pain-free double-stop pedagogy

Session 4: Beginner Masterclass

An in-person masterclass followed by discussion of relevant themes

Session 5: Coping With John Williams

Handy tools and tips for managing all of those notes!

Pedagogy Certificate Orientation

2:45-3:45 p.m. Eastern

Participants enrolled in our Pedagogy Certificate Program will join for daily orientation sessions on the program and discussion of how the principles explored in the day’s sessions might arise in pedagogical situations. Contact us to learn more about the Pedagogy Certificate.

Till Project Community Day: Thursday, July 16

All participants are invited to this special day of whole-group sessions!

All times in Eastern

9:00-10:00 a.m. Panel Discussion: Navigating Performance

10:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Masterclass: Sibelius Violin Concerto

12:15-1:15 p.m. Roundtable Discussion: Whole-Musician Health

~Break~

2:45-4:00 p.m. Barn Concert rehearsal (for in-person participants)

Barn Concert: Friday, July 17

All in-person participants are invited to perform! Chamber music groups can be arranged, and a group piece will include all who would like to join. The concert will be followed by a potluck dinner. Stay tuned for more details!