Frequently Asked Questions
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The program is built for students 11-20 years of age, however the age suggestion is simply advisory. Personally & musically mature students will certainly be included in the program if they are selected through the application process.
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The National Festival Application will OPEN November 2nd, 2027/
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Yes! Credo’s mission is built on service! We would love to partner with individuals & organizations who understand this vision and want to support our students. Please contact office@credomusic.org to learn about more ways to serve.
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Yes! There will be a concert demonstrating a culmination of what students learned during the program! More details to come.
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No. Credo is a music program of high-level study and performance. Credo programs use faith and service elements to enrich and deepen the student’s commitment to excellence and appreciation of the special power of music.
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YES! Credo (Latin for “I believe”) is a place for development and strengthening of faith. The required morning sing is led from a non-denominational Christian perspective by faculty. At Credo, students from Christian denominations and several non-Christian faiths have grown together by discovering their common beliefs and respectfully discussing differences.
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Credo is open to players who would benefit from the environment of intensive musical instruction in an independent setting (students will self-navigate around Oberlin Conservatory’s compact, safe campus). Many Credo students are prizewinners in national and regional solo competitions, many others sit at or near the front of their youth orchestra sections. We generally find Suzuki book 5 and age 12-13 are minimum levels for students to function effectively, but each student is different.
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So far, Credo students have come from 43 states: New York to Hawaii and Alaska to Florida! Over the years, students also journeyed from Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, China, the Netherlands, Taiwan, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, and Tanzania to share the Credo experience.
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Students engage in musical growth through chamber groups, master classes, large ensembles, and private lessons. They have the opportunity to study with outstanding faculty from leading conservatories and orchestras, and interact with professional chamber music groups.
Credo Student Demographics
Who comes to Credo?
Pre-formed quartets.
Recent groups include the Fischoff-winning Breshears Quartet, the Celentano-Award winning Maple Quartet, and the Cave Quartet, from Singapore. Learn more about the Quartet Fellowship Program
Young students going to their first sleep-away camp experience.
Credo has always been a safe, nurturing environment. Many of Credo’s most successful and plugged-in alumni come to Credo at age 13 or 14 as their first stay-away camp… and then come back again and again – some for as many as five to seven summers! Credo is very intentionally modeled on the attributes stated in Philippians 4:8 – and this creates a rigorous yet supportive environment.
Students from major conservatories
Given our location, there are always a significant number of Oberlin students, Obies! Other highly-represented conservatories include Eastman, CIM, and Juilliard. Our Quartet Fellowship program will allow two conservatory-level quartets to attend FREE.
Competition winners
Many of our students are winners in local and regional competitions. Credo alumni have also won first place in ASTA and MTNA national competitions, and have excelled in international competitions as well.
Home-school students
Students raised in the independence and freedom of home-schooling do well with the focus and intensity of Credo, where they can fully immerse themselves in music morning to night.
Leaders and future leaders
The majority of Credo students come from the front of youth orchestra sections. At Credo they meet with peers at the same level – “iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17).” Credo students go on to careers as college department heads, principal players in professional orchestras, or community leaders.