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Summer Music Camps & Programs

Why attend summer music camp, when you could be spending your summer in a gazillion other ways? Here are 4 reasons it will be worth your while, especially if you have any thoughts of majoring in music on the college level.

     

1. Musical growth

Let’s face it: it’s not always easy to stay focused when you’re on break from school. A good music program can keep you in your practice routine and making progress throughout the summer months. You’ll return to school in the fall ready for auditions. 
 
2. A preview of college

For those who are accustomed to taking a lead role in their school or community ensembles, it can be eye-opening to sit in the middle or back of a section. It can be discouraging…or inspirational…or even both at the same time. But it’s a good experience to have before you settle on your college plans.
 
3. Networking

At summer music programs, you’ll meet students and faculty who have information and insights about college music programs that you won’t find in a brochure or on a website. Casual conversations with trusted new friends or mentors can lead to new discoveries about colleges, music, or yourself.  
 
4. Having Fun

Summer music camps and other programs are all different. Many require hard work –– lots of rehearsals and practice. It’s a great test for an aspiring musician: if you can make music, work hard all day long, and still have the time of your life, it’s a great sign you’re on the right path in pursuing a career in music.
 
When it comes to finding a program that will be right for you, look for a few different things. First, seek programs that reflect your personal interests and career aspirations, whether those are in jazz, rock, orchestral, blues, bluegrass, songwriting, composing, music technology, or musical theatre. Smaller programs are often singularly focused, while larger summer programs will have many of these options all under one roof and give students exposure to genres they had not previously considered.
 
It is also very important to take a look at the faculty at summer programs. Read the instructor bios and look at their accomplishments to find teachers who can be the best fit as mentors for your career aspirations.
 
After you have done your own research, talk to your teachers, musical mentors and parents. Share your own research with them and listen to their ideas. Once you have made your decision, check the program deadlines and make sure you’re getting your application in as soon as you can; some programs fill up early.
 
Good luck!

 

Chris Hintz is the National Marketing and Communications Manager at Interlochen Center for the Arts, which includes a summer arts camp and a fine arts boarding high school. Summer music programs at Interlochen range from one to six weeks and include large ensembles (orchestra and wind ensemble,) jazz, opera, rock, singer-songwriter, music composition, musical theatre, classical guitar, piano, organ, harp and audio recording.

- Top: Photo courtesy of Ithaca College School of Music

- 2nd Level: Photos courtesy of Interlochen Center for the Arts

- Bottom: Photos courtesy of Idyllwild Arts Summer Program

 

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College Music Majors Looking for Jobs This Summer?

Apple Hill Summer Music Chamber Workshop  (work/study for previous participants)

Eastern U.S. Music Camp at Colgate University (internships only)

Idyllwild Arts Summer Program (approx. 35 counselor positions)

JazzCampWest (work/study for current participants)

Long Lake Music Camp

Music Camp at French Woods

Red Lodge Music Festival

Rocky Ridge Music Center (work/study for Young Artist Seminar participants)

Stanford Jazz Workshop

University of North Carolina School of the Arts Summer Music Program (housing/RAs)

Walden School Young Musicians Program

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summer music camp

 

 

 





2 Comments

Ingrid

I am interested in summer programs in music for high school students in New York City. Any information you have would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your time.

Reply

    MajoringInMusic

    Ingrid,

    We’re honored to be working with excellent programs in New York. You don’t state what area of music you’re looking for, but check these out:

    • The New York Jazz Academy (Manhattan) is a place for jazz – all instruments, all level. Queens College’s Aaron Copland School of Music has a great Summer Vocal Institute.

    Other NY programs outside the city but worth looking at:

    • Eastern U.S. Music Camp at Colgate University
    (wind & chamber ensembles, jazz, voice, orchestra, piano, guitar (jazz, rock, classical)

    • Fredonia Summer Music Festival (SUNY Fredonia – Fredonia, NY)
    (winds, brass & percussion high school students

    • French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts (Catskills)
    jazz (all instruments, voice), Classical (all instruments, voice)

    • Ithaca College Summer Music Academy (Ithaca, NY)
    (wind ensemble, orchestra, voice, jazz, classical guitar)

    • Long Lake Camp for the Arts (Adirondacks)
    (all instruments, all styles + rock)

    • Skidmore Jazz Institute (Saratoga Springs)
    (jazz performance, recording)

    • Syracuse Summer Programs (Syracuse, NY)
    (recording studio tech., musical theatre, girls leadership academy)

    Reply





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« Community College for Music Students…
Guidelines for Making It Work
Music Degrees – Reviewing the Options »

 

Idyllwild summer music

Bowling Green State University music

 

Link Below and Explore!
~ Music Camps & Programs by State + International ~

 

California

Idyllwild Arts Summer Program
Focus: band, chamber music, choir, harp, musical theatre, orchestra, piano

Jazz Camp West
Focus: jazz – instrumental and vocal

Stanford Jazz Workshop
Focus: jazz immersion, improv, combos, vocals, master classes

USC Thornton School of Music
Focus: guitar: jazz, rock, singer/songwriter, classical

University of the Pacific Music Camp
Focus: jazz, band, orchestra, choir, piano, music business

University of Redlands Pokorny Low Brass Seminar
Focus: low brass intensive

University of Redlands Summer Programs
Focus: piano, harp, strings, chamber orchestra, youth symphony


Colorado

Colorado College Summer Music Festival
Focus: performance

Colorado State University Summer Music Programs
Focus: organ, music theory, choral conducting, chamber music, marching band

Rocky Ridge Music Center
Focus: chamber music, orchestra, solo instrumental and voice, concerto competition,
strings, winds, piano, voice, composition, performances, master-classes

University of Colorado, Boulder College of Music
Focus: wind ensemble, chamber orchestra, choral, piano, jazz


Connecticut

Hartt School
Focus: master classes, musical theater, chamber, Suzuki


District of Columbia

Washington International Piano Festival
Focus: piano


Florida

VOICEXPERIENCE: The Voice Workshop
Focus: opera and musical theatre intensive


Illinois
Fernando Jones’ Blues Camp 2013
Focus: blues – all instruments including voice. Several locations.


Michigan

Interlochen Summer Arts Camp
Focus: orchestra, wind symphony, jazz, rock, strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, composition, classical guitar, harp, organ, piano, voice, audio recording, singer-songwriter program


Minnesota

McNally Smith College of Music   
Focus: vocal, hip-hop, jazz, MIX (music industry)


Montana

Red Lodge Music Festival
Focus: strings, winds, jazz, percussion, piano; ensembles, orchestra, jazz band


New Hampshire

Apple Hill Summer Chamber Music Workshop
Focus: violin, viola, cello, bass, piano, voice, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, french horn

The Walden School Young Musicians Program
Focus: composition, musicianship, choral singing, chamber music, improvisation, ear training


New York

Eastern U.S. Music Camp at Colgate University
Focus: wind & chamber ensembles, jazz, voice, orchestra, piano, guitar (jazz, rock, classical)

Fredonia Summer Music Festival
Focus: winds, brass & percussion high school students

French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts
Focus: jazz (all instruments) + voice

Music Camp at French Woods
Focus: classical (all instruments) + voice

Ithaca College Summer Music Academy
Focus: wind ensemble, orchestra, voice, jazz, classical guitar

Long Lake Camp for the Arts
Focus: all instruments, all styles + rock

New York Jazz Academy Summer Jazz Intensives
Focus: all instruments, all levels, jazz emphasis

Queens College Aaron Copland School of Music
Focus: Summer Vocal Institute

Skidmore Jazz Institute
Focus: jazz performance, recording

Syracuse Summer Programs
Focus: recording studio tech., musical theatre

Syracuse Girls Leadership Academy for Music
Focus: music, leadership


North Carolina

Appalachian State University Cannon Music Camp
Focus: performance, music theory

University of North Carolina School of the Arts Summer Music Program
Focus: harp, organ, guitar, vocal, string chamber ensemble


Ohio

Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music Summer Music Programs
Focus: music theatre, voice, strings, winds, percussion, piano, organ

Bowling Green Summer Music Institute
Focus: Piano, strings, vocal arts, double reeds, flute, brass, recording, saxophone, musical theatre


Pennsylvania

Penn State Honors Music Institute
Focus: chamber choir, jazz ensemble, piano, wind ensemble

Temple Univ. Boyer College of Music and Dance
Focus: musical theater, music theory


Texas

University of North Texas College of Music
Focus: marching band, jazz, double bass, strings, flute, percussion, voice, clarinet, mariachi, piano & organ wellness


International – Canada

Comax Valley Youth Music Centre
Focus: classical, musical theatre, jazz

 

International – England

Leeds College of Music Short Summer Courses
Focus: sax recording, jazz, choral, musical theatre, opera, popular music theory

 

International – Europe

ArtAbroad Summer in Europe
Focus: any instrument or voice






 
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