What do we do with siblings at ISSI?

Siblings not enrolled in ISSI are welcome and encouraged to add enrichment classes for an additional fee. Siblings that are not enrolled in ISSI that attend classes should be quiet and respectful. Parents should take care to supervise siblings and not let them disrupt the classes.


We also offer daycare during ISSI for any siblings or younger students that need care part of the day. You need to add this option in the purchase extras tab during registration. We do have openings in day care and you can add that Monday morning the week of ISSI.

What options do we have for meals during ISSI?

Lunch items can be purchased at the cafeteria of Juan Diego High School.
Families will pay the cafeteria per item daily.

Snacks are also available for purchase at the ISSI scholarship table.  Look for our highlighted "item of the day"!  

Do I need to come with my child to institute?

Children under the age of 12 need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian while at ISSI. It is a large campus and we want to keep all of our students safe. It is also the parent's responsibility for your child's instrument to insure that it is taken care of at all times. 

We recommend one adult on campus for each child under 12 years old. Due to the intricate schedules, it is impossible to guarantee that siblings will not have masterclasses scheduled during the same hour.

Highlight: Saturday's Schedule

We've talked before about what a typical day at ISSI looks like, and we've even highlighted the special schedule on Monday.

Today, we're going to cover the schedule for our Farewell Day, which takes place on Saturday.

Saturday starts out with two hours of classes: the 9 am and 10 am classes are held Saturday because registration and opening ceremonies pushed them out of the way on Monday.

At the conclusion of the 10 am class, families head into the Auditorium for the book 4+ final concert.  This is a highlight of the week!  Here, students in the upper books perform pieces from their Performance Classes.  Each group of students is accompanied by the faculty orchestra on at least one of their pieces.  What a great opportunity for the students to perform with orchestra accompaniment!

Especially exciting for 2018: ALL STUDENTS will perform together on the Saturday morning concert.  We will play "ISSI Gettin' Down" in commemoration of ISSI's 40th anniversary.  It will be a spectacular sight to have every member of ISSI performing together!

When that concert concludes, families have a few minutes to gather together and maybe grab a quick snack in preparation for the final event of ISSI: The Chamber Concerts.  (All violin students, as well as book 3+ cellists & violists, need to be prepared to participate in these chamber concerts at 1 pm!)

Because ISSI has so many chamber groups, the chamber concerts are organized into a few different rooms, with recitals happening simultaneously in different locations.  Check your child's schedule for the name of their chamber coach, and then head to the room that lists your coach's name.  One coach is assigned to each room to organize the recital and help things run smoothly.

These informal chamber concerts are a fun way to conclude an exceptional week of learning and fun.  Student chamber groups get to perform for each other (and each others' families) in a small, relaxed environment.

At the conclusion of the Chamber Concerts, ISSI is officially wrapped up until the next summer.

As you leave, be sure to check the lost and found and turn in chamber music at the front desk.

And of course, check your master schedule for next year's dates so you can add them to your family calendar!

Highlight: Monday Schedule

A typical day at ISSI has 6 hours of classes, a lunch hour, and two recitals (one after lunch and one in the evening).

But the first day of ISSI has its own special schedule, to accommodate registration and opening ceremonies.

If you're attending ISSI for the first time (or if you've ever wondered why Monday feels so different than the other days) here's what you need to know about the first day, Monday:

At 8 am, registration opens for Advanced String Camp students.  This includes violins in book 9+, violists in books 5+ and cellists in books 7+.  After they pick up their packets that contain their personalized schedules and information materials, they head straight to a 2-hour orchestra rehearsal from 830-1030 am.

Registration for students not in Advanced String Camp opens at 9 am.  Once they pick up the packets containing their schedules and information materials, they are invited to participate in a welcoming play-in.  Cellists, violists, and violinists all have their own rooms (clearly marked on each students' personalized schedule).  These play-ins goes from about 930 am-1030 am and they are a very casual gathering where students join together to play Suzuki repertoire.  They get to meet some of the faculty they'll be working with during the week, and they get to warm up by playing review pieces.  There is always a lot of energy at the play-ins!

Following the play-ins are the opening ceremonies at 11 am.  These ceremonies are an orientation that go over everything you need to know to make your week a success.  We hear from the ISSI Director, we meet the entire body of ISSI faculty, and we also hear from the principal of the school where ISSI is held.  At the conclusion of the opening ceremonies, we are favored with a performance by the Teacher Workshop orchestra, who has been rehearsing together during the previous week.

Next comes lunch from noon to 1 pm.

After that comes the most important schedule detail of the week: On Monday, and Monday only, your 11 am class happens at 1 pm.  This is because the opening ceremonies were happening during that class period on Monday.  This is printed on your individual schedule, but it's also helpful to know before hand, because the excitement of that first day can be a little overwhelming!

Classes during the 2 pm, 3pm and 4 pm hours run as regularly schedule.
The day finishes with a concert from the guest artist at 515 pm.

So to recap, here's the breakdown of Monday's specialized schedule:

• 8 am: Advanced String Camp Registration
• 830-1030 am: Advanced String Camp Orchestra rehearsal
• 830 am: Registration opens for everyone else
• 9-10 am: Welcome Play-ins
• 1030 am: Opening Ceremonies in the Auditorium
• 12noon: Lunch
• 1 pm: Attend your 11 am class!
• 2 pm: Class
• 3 pm: Class
• 4 pm: Class
• 515 pm: Guest Artist concert
• 615 pm: head home for dinner and a good night's rest