Decoda Winter Retreat 2026 Information

General information

Join Decoda, Carnegie Hall’s Affiliate Ensemble, for five days of musical discovery at Potash Hill, the home of the famed Marlboro Music Festival in the rural foothills of southern Vermont. It is known not only for exceptional chamber music, but also for the lovely countryside, farms, historic inns, delicious local food and drink, craft and antique shops, parks, and outdoor activities.

We are accepting applications from instrumentalists who play violin, viola, cello, bass, piano, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, and other instrumentalists that are interested in working with Decoda. Pre-formed ensembles are also encouraged to apply! Participants will be placed in groups coached by Decoda faculty, and will also have the opportunity to play side by side with Decoda artists.

Decoda Winter Faculty to include: Doori Na, violin; Saeunn Thorsteinsdottir, cello; Catherine Gregory, flute; Moran Katz, clairnet, Mika Sasaki, piano

For all questions email decodawinter@decodamusic.org

Retreat Curriculum includes  

  • Participants will be placed in two groups:

    • Group A: dedicated chamber music groups focused on traditional repertoire and classical ensemble formats (e.g., string quartets, wind quintets, piano quintets). These groups will rehearse daily and receive regular coachings from Decoda faculty.

    • Group B: collaborative chamber music groups that includes a Decoda faculty member playing side-by-side with participants. These ensembles will explore a more adventurous range of repertoire—newer works, creative arrangements, and instrument groupings you might not normally encounter.

  • All groups will perform in a casual sharing session at the conclusion of the retreat on the Potash Hill campus.

  • A fun and engaging mid-festival workshop (topic TBA) designed to stretch your musicianship, spark new ways of thinking, and recharge your energy.

  • An evening to set aside your own instrument and enjoy an intimate concert by Decoda artists. The performance will be paired with a specially prepared meal, creating a relaxed setting where music, food, and community come together.

Sample daily schedule

8:00 AM—Breakfast
9:30 AM—Group A Rehearsals & Coaching
11:00 AM—Town Hall / Chamber Music Skill-Building
12:00 PM—Lunch
1:30 PM—Group B Rehearsals & Coaching
3:00 PM—Individual Rehearsal, Free Time, or Optional Group Activities
6:00 PM—Dinner
7:30 PM—Group Reading Sessions or Connection Activities

Application Requirements

Applications are now open and will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis (until capacity is reached). All applicants will hear back from Decoda by January 5, 2026.

Click here to apply

  1. Complete the application form

  2. On your application form, submit the required audition materials:

    • A personal statement of interest

    • A link to a video or audio recording

  3. Pay the application fee — $50 by October 31; $75 after

program costs & Housing Options

View Housing Options

The “Core Retreat Package” — for $2,150 — includes tuition, all meals, and single-occupancy dorm housing. Premium housing and double-occupancy rates vary. Click “View Housing Options” to see all available packages. ➡️

  • Double or single-occupancy accommodations

  • 3 meals a day, provided by the Brattleboro Food Co-Op in the Potash Hill Dining Hall

  • Provided linens and towels. Participants are welcome to bring their own. Dorm rooms have extra-long twin beds. The Cape Houses have queen beds.

  • Optional group activities TBD (for additional costs)

Payment Schedule

Deposit Due: December 20 - 25% of Total Package

Payment #1: January 15 - 50% of Balance

Final Payment: February 15 - Remaining Balance

Key Dates

Residency Dates: Wednesday, March 4 - Monday, March 9, 2026
Arrival on Wednesday, March 4 by 4:00 PM
Departure on Monday, March 9 by 11:00 AM
Applications Open: Monday, September 15, 2025
Early Bird Deadline: Friday, October 31, 2025 (11:59 PM EDT)
*Applications accepted until capacity is reached.
*Note - Capacity is limited. Priority acceptance will be given to those who apply by October 31.
Notification of Acceptance: rolling and by December 15, 2025 
Deadline for Confirming Participation & Deposit Due: Wednesday, December 20, 2025 (or upon acceptance after December 20th)
Music Distribution: by January 5, 2026
Final Payment Due: February 15, 2026

FAQ

  1. Who will be on faculty at the Decoda Winter Retreat?
    Doori Na, violin; Saeunn Thorsteinsdottir, cello; Catherine Gregory, flute; Moran Katz, clairnet, Mika Sasaki, piano

  2. Where will performances be held?
    Informal sharing sessions will be held in the historic Marlboro Dining Hall on campus at Potash Hill. Each group will have an opportunity to perform during the session.

  3. Where are rehearsals held?
    All rehearsals take place on the Potash Hill campus, primarily in the new Jerome and Celia Bertin Reich Building, with additional sessions in the Marlboro Dining Hall and Woodard Studios.

  4. When do I arrive and depart?
    Check in will be on Wednesday, March 4th between 12 - 4pm. Check out is by 11am on Monday, March 9th.

  5. How do I get there?

    Amtrak has service to Brattleboro, VT on its Vermonter line. Those coming from New York, Philadelphia, and D.C. who don't have access to a car should consider taking the train. There is also Greyhound bus service to Brattleboro.
    If you plan to fly, and will be coming from within the continental US, it is best to fly into Bradley Field (BDL), located in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.

  6. How should I prepare to get the most out of my experience?

    We ask that participants come well prepared for coaching on each piece they have been assigned, so that coaching sessions can be as productive as possible. We will be emailing parts and scores two months before the beginning of the session. To become familiar with the piece, be sure to listen to one or more recordings, following along with the score.

  7. What should I bring?
    Bring your instrument and all necessary accessories. It will be late winter in Vermont, so be prepared to bring humidification devices for your cases (e.g. damp-its, Boveda humidity packs, orange peels, etc.). Music stands and chairs will be available in all rehearsal spaces on campus. If you would like to be able to practice in your living quarters, it would be useful to bring a folding stand. There will be free time for music reading, so if you have specific pieces that you would like to read, please bring your own sheet music.

  8. What will the food be like?
    Three meals a day are provided by the Brattleboro Food Co-op. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options will be available at each meal, and menus will celebrate the rich bounty of local farms and feature organic ingredients, reflecting their unwavering commitment to supporting the community. 

  9. What are the accommodations like?
    All accommodations are provided on the Potash Hill campus, within easy walking distance to the dining hall and rehearsal facilities. A variety of housing options are available at different price points. See Room & Board Packages for more details.