Music camps can be pretty intensive programs. That's the point (but don't hurt yourself!). When else during the year does anyone – other than people who are already professional musicians – have nothing to do but focus on their music?The opportunities to improve technique, get more performance experience, and benefit from a wider range of mentors and peers are unparalleled. That said, not every music camp is the right fit for you. Here are some music camps, whose deadlines are approaching fast, that you might want to look at:
Programs for high schoolers
San Francisco Conservatory of Music: For students aged 10 – 18 and runs from June 12 – 24, 2017. Auditions are in April! Focus is on Broadway performances, particularly Gilbert & Sullivan, which must be your audition piece.
SFCM also has a summer camp for budding composers! The camp includes private weekly instruction and access to SFCM's array of virtual instruments in its digital lab. For ages 13 – 19 and runs from June 19 – July 14, 2017.
Cannon Music Camp (Appalachia State University): This is a 3-week camp set in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. For students who are rising high school freshmen to graduating seniors. Students are taught by faculty of the Hayes Music School and includes a final performance in the Rosen Concert Hall.
Marrowstone Music Festival (Washington): This is billed as the premier orchestra training program in the Pacific Northwest. They have programs both for high school and college students. They're still accepting applications for viola, low bass and percussion! Program takes place from July 23 – August 6, 2017.
The Reina Sofia School of Music (Spain): Want to go abroad? This summer music program is held in Madrid in July. It's for students 12 – 17 years old. The camp is for instrumentalists and vocalists, and provides classes in technique and music theory. As expected, it also has an emphasis on language and culture.
Programs for younger kids (may include programs thaT run through high school ages)
Long Lake Camp for the Arts (Long Lake, New York): Their wide ranging summer arts programs are for students aged 8 – 16. The program includes private lessons, as well as ensemble and orchestra programs. They include classes on sight reading, orchestral writing, and digital music creation. Students also get to record in their professional studio!
French Woods Festival for Performing Arts (Catskill Mountains in New York): This is an a la carte arts program for students from 7 – 17 years old. Every student picks their classes and activities from the program's full list of options. So you can pick as many music activities as you'd like while mixing things up a bit by selecting other options in dance, theater or even more traditional camp activities like skate boarding or horseback riding.
West Chester University Summer Music Camp (Pennsylvania): This summer camp is exclusively for elementary school students, specifically grades 3, 4 and 5. It's a week-long program running from June 26 – 30, 2017. Students perform daily recitals in both large and small ensembles, which is great for getting young kids used to performing. The program has opportunities for strings, as well as other concert instruments and vocalists.
Programs for college ages and pre-professional musicians
Credo Oberlin (Ohio): For ages 13 – 23 and runs from July 2 – 22, 2017. However, the camp's most promising string musicians are offered the opportunity to attend a tuition-free, follow-on camp, the Credo Orchestral Program (Chicago), which runs from July 24 – 30, 2017. The 3-week Credo Oberlin Program provides master classes and private instruction. The special guests at this summer's camp are Rachel Barton Pine and the Jasper String Quartet.
Those who are selected to join the Credo Orchestral Program in Chicago will have an intensive week culminating in a performance of Rossini’s Semiramide Overture and Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony at the Chicago Cultural Center.
National Repertory Orchestra (Breckenridge, Colorado): This is an intensive 8-week summer orchestra, including live performances twice a week. It's for musicians aged 18-28 who have at least one year of college or conservatory education behind them. The program not only offers master classes and music education, but it also provides career education. Instruction also covers issues like contract negotiations and going through mock auditions.
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