The Calvin String Summit was conceived and directed by Dr. Reimer, beginning in 2008. The mission was to nurture and celebrate the talented string players in the West Michigan region. This encompassed three previously disconnected student groups:
- the best high school students (primarily focusing on three area Youth Orchestra programs)
- area youth orchestra alumni who were now in college
- students from outside the region attending area colleges and universities
This dynamic mix of students was brought together to study with world-class faculty in chamber, solo and orchestral music, culminating with a recital of chamber and string orchestra music at the end of the week.
Dr. Reimer planned all the details of the String Summit and also taught violin and coached string quartets. In order to create a program worthy of the best students in West Michigan, he brought in a “who’s who” of faculty to teach lessons, coach quartets and give Master Classes, including:
- Lawrence Dutton (Emerson Quartet)
- Annie Fullard (Cavani Quartet)
- Curtis Macomber (Manhattan Quartet)
- Richard Young (Vermeer Quartet)
- David Kim (Philadelphia Orchestra)
- Joseph Conyers (Philadelphia Orchestra)
- Elisabeth Adkins (National Symphony)
- Lisa Boyko (Cleveland Orchestra)
- Stanley Konopka (Cleveland Orchestra)
- Thomas Sperl (Cleveland Orchestra)
- Alan Harrell (Cleveland Orchestra)
- Brant Taylor (Chicago Symphony)
- Robert DeMaine (Detroit Symphony)
- James Buswell (New England Conservatory)
The students who have participated in the Summit include many Principal players from area youth orchestras, All-State Orchestras and college orchestras. The list of colleges that Summit students attended or would attend after high school includes the Cleveland Institute of Music, Indiana University, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Temple University, St. Olaf College, Manhattan School of Music, Princeton University and DePaul University.
