International Festival-Institute at Round Top

Festival-Institute at Round Top, International

Early June to mid-July

This teaching institute and music festival was founded by world-renowned pianist James Dick in 1971. Dick wanted to establish a center where talented student musicians could make a smooth transition to a professional career. He started out with a 10-day workshop, but now the institute offers advanced lessons, coaching, and various seminars. The emphasis is still on pianists, but there is also instruction in strings, woodwinds, brass, chamber music, and orchestra. The faculty is composed of internationally known musicians who not only teach at the Institute but perform as soloists at the concerts given there.
Round Top is the smallest incorporated city in Texas, with a population of less than 100. It was named for a building with a rounded roof that was at one time a landmark for arriving stage coaches. Just north of the town square is the scenic 200-acre Festival Hill grounds. Concerts are held in the acoustically excellent 1,200-seat festival concert hall and the Edythe Bates Old Chapel, built in 1883. The campus is open all year to visitors and hosts various events, including an Early Music Festival during Memorial Day weekend, "August-to-April Concert Series," herb workshops, retreats and conferences, and guided tours.

CONTACTS:
International Festival-Institute at Round Top
248 Jaster Rd.
P.O. Box 89
Round Top, TX 78954
979-249-3129; fax: 979-249-5078
www.festivalhill.org

SOURCES:
GdUSFest-1984, p. 185
MusFestAmer-1990, p. 139