- 'It Must Be!' - L.V. Beethoven

Named after the words of Beethoven, Es Muss Sein! is an annual gathering which celebrates and develops the musicianship of committed string players through top-level coaching by a team of vibrant and experienced staff.

Meeting for courses in a beautiful rural setting, students and teachers at EMS! come together to work on and perform a program of specially-selected chamber music. This traditional repertoire is studied alongside other activities that together give Es Muss Sein! the unique atmosphere that has brought students back from year to year.

Es Muss Sein! was set up to be more than just a music course, but rather a creative forum. It is in this vein that the diversely-talented staff lead extra activities which are tailored to each new course. Since its foundation in 2005, these have ranged from improvising live music to film projection, performing African drumming rhythms arranged for stringed instruments, to non-musical activities such as T-Shirt making and cookery. Within a structured timetable there is also freedom to sight-read chamber music from the Es Muss Sein! Music Library and to choose between different extra activities.

The integration of these activities alongside chamber music creates a strong sense of cohesion and community in an atmosphere that is both focused and festive.

Performance is an essential part of sharing the music worked on at Es Muss Sein! and this ranges from informal ‘picnic’ concerts outside to late evening ‘play-throughs’, to the ceremonious close of the course: a concert for people in the local area, as well as for friends, family, and all the participants.

Es Muss Sein! has a positive and supportive community atmosphere, where the binding factor amongst staff and students alike is a passion for music: It Must Be!