People who don’t actually play a musical instrument love to refer to highly skilled players as having a “gift from God,” or just a boundless supply of natural talent. The reality is usually far more pedestrian: more important than natural aptitude is a willingness to work long, hard hours in the practice room. For decades now, the art of intensive practicing has had a summer home in upstate New York, and it’s called Meadowmount. “Part summer camp, part music school, and part boot camp, the Meadowmount School of Music is strict, austere, and responsible for creating some of the top string players in the world.”