Get ready for an evening of music, joy, and community as Mark and Maggie O’Connor bring their annual String Camp to a rousing close with the beloved Playdown Concert. Students from across the country—ranging from beginners to advanced performers—will take the stage alongside Mark and Maggie, sharing the tunes and skills they’ve developed throughout the week.

What makes the Playdown so special is watching the musical community grow before your eyes. As the concert unfolds, more and more students join in, culminating in a spirited all-camp performance that fills the stage with energy, talent, and heart. From cherished American folk tunes to moving performances on handcrafted instruments, the evening offers something for music lovers of all ages.

Four Daniel Pearl memorial instruments will exchange hands Friday night as the faculty will select the new recipients who will borrow the great hand-crafted American instruments and practice on them for the next year until they return them to camp. We’ll hear the current recipients play Mark’s beautiful “Appalachia Waltz” together as a quartet.

Hosted at Myers Park Covenant Church for the past nine years, the O’Connor String Camp has become a cherished summer tradition. Whether you are a longtime fan of American string music or simply looking for an uplifting community experience, you are warmly invited to come celebrate the power of music, learning, and connection.

This event is free and open to the public.