Open Studio Announces Summer 2025 Music Creation Opportunities

Eastern Shore musicians invited to collaborate and record free of charge as program enters its second year.

Washington College’s Department of Music is pleased to announce the continuation of its innovative Open Studio project for the summer of 2025. Building on a successful first year, Open Studio offers a unique opportunity for musicians and creative individuals across Maryland’s Eastern Shore to collaborate with Washington College faculty, staff, and students in a professional recording environment. 

Under the direction of Kenneth Schweitzer, associate professor of music, and in partnership with the Holstein Program in Ethics and the Washington College Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience, Open Studio leverages funding from the Mid-Shore Community Foundation and internal resources to foster musical collaboration and community engagement.    

The summer 2025 session will run from June 16th to August 1st, providing access to the Department of Music’s recording studio and the expertise of student fellows. Bookings are already underway but significant opportunities remain for individuals and groups looking for access to a top-notch studio and producing resources from the College. 

Open Studio aims to support a diverse range of musical endeavors, offering participants the chance to: 

• Record and mix music in a professional setting. 

• Collaborate with talented Washington College students gaining hands-on experience in music production. 

• Connect with a vibrant community of musicians and creative individuals. 

• Develop their artistic projects with expert guidance. 

Musicians of all ages and backgrounds from Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s & Talbot counties (and beyond) are invited to explore Washington College's professional performing spaces and recording studio, as they work in collaboration with our small team of Washington College students. With the guidance of faculty and regional professional audio technicians, the Open Studio team will be recording and mixing on a full-time schedule, aiming to provide 4-16 hours of free services to each client. This includes both recording and mixing. 

Interested individuals and groups are encouraged to learn more about the opportunities available through an online form. 

The first client booked for the summer session is Washington College alumnus Andrew Wink ’17, a dual major in Music and Theater. Wink, who wrote an original musical, Last September, for his Senior Capstone Experience, will be on campus with his band, Grimm Winter, from June 18th to 20th. This engagement highlights one of the project's main goals -  to reconnect alumni with the College and provide valuable networking opportunities for current students with working artists. 

"We are thrilled to welcome back Andrew and his band, Grimm Winter, as our first Open Studio participants this summer," said Professor Schweitzer. "His journey as a dual major in the creative arts and his return to campus exemplify the collaborative spirit and the kind of connections Open Studio aims to foster." 

This summer’s Open Studio is made possible through the generous support of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, Washington College’s Hodson Collaborative Research Fund,  and the Hodson Trust Internship Fund. The Open Studio website provides further information about the project. 

- Dominique Ellis Falcon