Bring Your Orchestra to the
Blue Ridge Mountains
Music, Culture & Nature for School Orchestras with Creative Strings and Christian Howes
A Music & Cultural Retreat Like No Other
Most school orchestra trips involve crowded buses, expensive hotels, and generic tourist stops — with only a little time for music
At a Creative Strings Orchestra Retreat, we flip the script. Music is the centerpiece. Students spend the majority of the trip playing, creating, and learning in an inspiring environment surrounded by nature, culture, and authentic local experiences.
Hear what Teachers are saying
The Musical Experience
with Christian Howes
Led by internationally recognized violinist and educator Christian Howes, students spend ~90% of their instructional time playing, alternating between large-group workshops and small creative breakouts.
Workshops Include:
Group Play-Alongs
High-energy full-ensemble sessions
Performance Opportunities
Optional concerts on-site or in Asheville, with recording available
Improvisation Labs
Build fluency and confidence beyond the page
Eclectic Styles
Explore jazz, folk, Bluegrass, world music, and more
Creative Breakouts
Compose, arrange, and collaborate in small groups
👉 Handouts are provided in advance (prep optional). Additional clinicians can be arranged for sectionals, masterclasses, or specialized topics.
Nature, Culture & Adventure
Students don’t just play music—they bond and grow through shared experiences in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Onsite recreation:
Hikes, swimming, games, and camp-style fun
Nearby side-trips:
Mountain trails, whitewater rafting, and biking — all minutes away and low-cost
Cultural immersion:
Attend the Asheville Symphony, hear live Bluegrass groups, and enjoy a curated Bluegrass & BBQ Night with live band and catered dinner
Local flavor:
Asheville’s farm-to-table dining and Southern BBQ, giving your students and chaperones a taste of authentic Appalachian culture
Host Venue: Christmount Retreat Center
Our current retreats are hosted at Christmount Retreat Center, just 20 minutes from Asheville and 5 minutes from charming Black Mountain, NC.
Private wooded campus with acres of fields, streams, and trails
Multiple rehearsal and performance spaces
Lodging, meals, and all facilities in one central location
Modern amenities: WiFi, A/C, pool, basketball, Gaga ball, soccer fields
(Future Creative Strings Retreats may be offered at additional venues.)
Why Choose a Creative Strings Retreat Over a Tour Company?
Creative Strings Orchestra Retreat
- Music is the centerpiece — 5+ hours/day of workshops & play-alongs
- Affordable, all-inclusive campus
- Bonding in nature — hikes, rafting, biking; mostly free/low-cost
- Private retreat atmosphere for your group only
- Authentic cultural immersion — Symphony, Bluegrass, BBQ Night
- Local food & culture — farm-to-table, Southern BBQ, Appalachian heritage
- Flexible, personalized programming
- Safe, centralized campus with pro staff & modern amenities
Standard Tour Company
- Music squeezed in — a couple of token performances
- Hidden costs: hotels, meals, attractions, buses
- Expensive attractions with less true community impact
- Crowded tourist-heavy locations
- Generic sightseeing with little cultural depth
- Chain restaurants and tourist dining
- One-size-fits-all itineraries
- Multiple transfers, urban congestion, higher risks
The Results
Students return home with:
- Stronger musicianship and creative confidence
- Deeper friendships and ensemble cohesion
- Broader cultural horizons and authentic experiences
- Memories that last a lifetime
Parents and administrators value the affordability, safety, and impact. Directors love the turnkey logistics and meaningful outcomes
Frequently
Asked Questions
Our all-inclusive format is typically 20–40% more affordable than standard tour packages.
No. Materials are provided ahead of time if desired, but no prep is required.
Jazz, folk, Bluegrass, improvisation, world music, and more—alongside traditional ensemble playing.
Yes. Christmount is a private retreat with professional staff, lodging, dining, and modern amenities. Everything happens in one central location.
Nearby hiking, biking, and rafting excursions — all just minutes away — can be added as half-day outings.
Yes. Options include concerts in Asheville or onsite at the retreat. Recording services are available.
Absolutely. The program aligns with state/district learning goals for performance, creativity, and cultural enrichment.
Yes. Additional masterclasses, sectionals, or specialist instruction can be arranged.
Plan Your Orchestra’s Retreat
- When: Year-round availability
- Where: Hosted at Christmount Retreat Center (Blue Ridge Mountains, NC)
- Customize: Side-trips, performances, and clinicians tailored to your goals
Give your students a transformational retreat blending artistry, culture, and adventure with Creative Strings.
- christianhowes.com
- chris@christianhowes.com
- 614-332-8689