Fall Appeal

Dear Friends,

It was a deeply memorable summer at Apple Hill, with nearly 300 participants of all ages from around the world joining us for our summer chamber music workshop, thanks in large part to scholarship support from donors like you. The music was spectacular, spirits were high, and our Tuesday Night Summer Concert Series saw its highest attendance in many years, with most weeks completely sold out!

During Session 5, one ensemble of workshop participants dubbed themselves “the most international group at Apple Hill,” with participants from Armenia, Israel, Türkiye, Cyprus, and Massachusetts all working together on one of the most American of chamber works, Florence Price’s mighty piano quintet! Their joy in working together was shared by everyone who heard them perform.

We hear stories from so many of our summer participants of how much Apple Hill has meant to them, so this fall, we wanted to share some of their words with you:

“The thing that I truly love about Apple Hill is the sense of community it creates and their commitment to the goal of accessibility. So I thank you from the bottom of my heart and offer gratitude that you have taken the time to help them commit to that goal by helping me and other students enter the space with ease. During the session I had plenty of opportunity to connect with musicians my age and create memories that I will carry with me forever as this was my first session on the Hill.

I spent the whole time thinking about people in my community, peers and students of mine, who would benefit from such a caring and supportive space. I reflected on how despite the vulnerability of performance and the diversity in age, there was such a wealth of connection and care to be found. Apple Hill is truly a special place and thank you from the deepest parts of my heart for helping me on my journey there.”
–Gerdlie, viola, Massachusetts

“One of the most meaningful things I learned here is how chamber music is really about listening, trusting, and communicating with others. Every rehearsal challenged me to become not only a better pianist, but also a better musician and teammate. I learned that making music together is not about one person playing perfectly; it is about creating something beautiful together.

Beyond the music, I was touched by the kindness and warmth of everyone at Apple Hill. Whether we were rehearsing, sharing meals, or simply talking with new friends, I always felt welcomed and encouraged. Those moments reminded me that music can bring together people from different cultures and backgrounds in a very special way.

Your generosity made all of this possible. Thank you for believing in young musicians and for giving students like me the chance to learn, grow, and be inspired. I will carry the lessons, friendships, and memories from Apple Hill with me for a very long time.”
–Yu-Chieh, piano, Taiwan

“Being at Apple Hill has been a deeply meaningful experience for me. After four years away from classical music, returning to the instrument and repertoire here felt like coming home. Working on our piece was both incredibly rewarding and wonderfully challenging. The environment fostered by the faculty and fellow musicians was thoughtful and encouraging, allowing me to push my musical boundaries alongside people who truly care about the craft and one another.

Beyond the music, the connections I made here will stay with me forever. I had the privilege of meeting musicians from all over the world—including Turkey, Cyprus, and the US—and despite coming from different places, we bonded so quickly that it felt as though we had known each other for years.

One moment I will never forget happened on the evening of August 5th. A group of us went to the Barn to play music. Before long, we were all dancing together under the disco ball. It was a moment of pure joy, warmth, and artistic camaraderie that perfectly captured the spirit of Apple Hill.”
–Hala, cello, Palestine

“Where do I even begin? I had a blast at Apple Hill. It was a really incredible and eye-opening experience. As someone who stepped away from Western classical music for a while to pursue and learn other types of music, the pieces were quite challenging, in the best way possible. It was a reunion with Western music for me.

Music is music at the end of the day, regardless of its style, genre, etc. It’s the global language where someone from Afghanistan could speak and share a wonderful experience with someone from Texas, Colorado, RI, Florida, and more, at Apple Hill in NH.

For me personally, music has been my refuge, a survival matter, literally. So I understand the true essence and importance of music, and the connection and bond between human beings that music creates. Joy is what you see and find at Apple Hill from day one.”

–Qudrat, trumpet, Afghanistan

These profoundly meaningful experiences are only possible thanks to our generous supporters, and you might be surprised by how much your donation can mean to our summer workshop participants!

• A $10/month sustaining donation allows us to rent a cello for a participant traveling to us by air
• A $30/month sustaining donation covers room and board expenses for a participant
• $1,250 enables us to provide a half-scholarship for a participant
• $2,500 enables a full session scholarship for a domestic participant
• $5,000 covers a double session scholarship for an international participant

With your help, we strive to hold our doors open for everyone who wants to experience an Apple Hill session, and to build a unique, diverse, and hugely supportive community every summer. Your gift today is urgently needed to allow us to continue serving our global community in 2027 and beyond.

Thank you for your generosity and consideration!

Sam Bergman, Executive Director

 

 

 

 

 

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