Violist Sam Bergman, a 1994 graduate of George School, will return to campus as a visiting artist from Sunday, January 23, through Sunday, January 30. A member of the world-renowned Minnesota Symphony Orchestra's viola section since 2000, Sam grew up near Doylestown and received his bachelor's degree in viola performance from Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio.

Sam will participate in an instrumental workshop for George School’s full orchestra, string orchestra, and jazz ensemble on January 23, working with the students to develop their performances of a variety of works, including selections by Gustav Holst, Camille Saint-Saëns, and the Beatles. On January 28, he will perform the solo viola sonata by Paul Hindemith and "Asturias" from Suite Espagñol by Isaac Albeniz in an all-school assembly. During the week Sam will also coach students in small chamber music settings, and will join the student piano trio in the community concert on January 30 for a movement of the Quartet in C Minor Opus 60 by Johannes Brahms.

In addition to working with the regular music classes throughout the week, Sam has agreed to work with interested students to create an a cappella singing group since he founded one as a George School student.

All George School students take four year-long courses in the arts. In addition to vocal and instrumental music, the Arts Department offers courses in theater arts, dance, video production, journalism, painting and drawing, woodworking and furniture design, ceramics, and photography. The Arts Department encourages students to be creative and enjoy themselves while they practice and appreciate a specific art form. In addition, students learn to be discriminating when they evaluate their own and others' work. 

About George School 
George School, founded in 1893 by members of the Society of Friends (Quakers), teaches that each person shares a responsibility for helping to make the world a better place. The student body is diverse, representing twenty states and thirty foreign countries and a variety of ethnic, racial, religious, academic, and economic backgrounds. Each year more than $4 million in need-based financial aid is provided to eligible students.