The 2008 Master Course in France was a smash success, with 15 students from around the world attending the 9-day event. During the day students attended Master Classes, practiced their instruments, took individual lessons from the faculty, attended musicianship and choir practice, and also practiced various ensemble groups. An exhausting but rewarding schedule which was highlighted with three evening concerts in the medieval church in the village of Castelreng.

The three evening concerts were an opportunity for the students to perform solo pieces in front of a large audience, as well as to perform duets with a faculty member. Various violin ensembles also highlighted the evening concerts.

As a special treat, one of the days was devoted to an outing, first to a medieval jousting competition inside the walled Cité of Carcassonne, then the group spent the afternoon at a special outdoor tree-top ropes adventure course at Lac de la Cavayère, where they climbed, tight rope walked, and swung from perch to perch all at tree top level!

The Young Virtuosi Gala Concert at the end of the course was a brilliant spectacular of violin and piano solos, the Young Virtuosi chorus and the entire Young Virtuosi Violin Ensemble, including faculty! The event was held in the large Piano Museum in the town of Limoux, where over 250 people attended the hour and a half concert.

The students practiced hard, learned new techniques from the international instructors, but also found time to enjoy the French countryside and make many new friends. They are already looking forward to the announcement of the location for the next Young Virtuosi Master Course, August 13-24, 2009.