2021 Summer Music Camps

–Looking for 2022 Camp Information? Click here.–

Love the idea of attending a music camp? Register for multiple Camp Sessions (per Camper) and get 15% off with the code “ExtraFun”.

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This is NOT your average summer music camp! This is classical music education done well, done right, and it is all about nurturing, developing, and sharing the musical talents within us. We want every interested family to be able to attend, so we’re offering camps for FOUR weeks. You can choose to participate in one or all of them, depending on your schedule. We have camp offerings suited for the very beginner to the advanced student that may even be considering music as their college major.

We’re thrilled to be partnering with North Park Baptist Church so we have the use of their lovely, large sanctuary space. We will be bringing in a concert grand piano (7-9 foot range) and every Friday, campers will perform a recital for their friends and family.

In addition, we have a public community concert planned for Sunday, August 1st at 3pm that will include professional musicians from the area! Campers will receive 2 complimentary tickets to the concert. You can get all the details here.

What camps are offered?

This summer we are focusing on Piano, Chamber Music, and Composition.

If your child currently plays or want to learn to play the piano, then consider our Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Piano Camps.

• Beginner campers will be introduced to primary concepts including note-reading, rhythm, keyboard skills, and ensemble playing. They will participate in fun musical games and activities and take home a music-related craft every day. They will also have the opportunity to hear world-class musicians performing and participate in the Musical Showcase for family and friends in the final half hour of the camp week.
• Intermediate campers will work on concepts including: sightreading, rhythm, theory, harmony, ear training, and ensemble playing. Daily worksheets and group projects will reinforce the teaching material. They will also have the opportunity to have a 1:1 lesson with a master teacher, hear world-class musicians performing, and participate in the Musical Showcase for family and friends in the final half hour of the camp week.
• Advanced Piano Camp offers world-class instruction and a chance to improve not only technical skills but also expand artistic horizons in a collegiate-type atmosphere that will include components such as repertoire classes, master classes, and learn in-depth knowledge about famous composers in our ‘Composer’s Corner’ segments. Advanced Piano Campers will also have the additional opportunities to have 1:1 lessons with a master teacher, collaborate with the Chamber Music Campers, and engage with Composition Campers as well.

If your child is at an Intermediate level in Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello, or Double Bass, then we’d love to have them be a part of the Chamber Music Camps. Chamber music refers to small groups of music students learning to play music together – a musical conversation! It’s incredibly rewarding for the students and something that there often is not time for during the school year. We will form chamber groups based on the Campers enrolled and the instruments they play. Students will be coached on how to listen to one another in an ensemble setting, the cues they need to give one another, and much more. For string players, it is necessary for Campers to bring their own instrument.

If your child has expressed an interest in creating music, sign up for Composition Camp to learn the tools of composition, discover historical and living composers and understand what it means to be a composer. Students will hear their compositions performed by talented peers and professional musicians and also receive their works in a professionally notated publication! Composition campers will:

• Learn how to write music
• Discover historical and living composers
• Understand what it looks like to be a composer today
• Hear their compositions performed by talented peers and professional musicians
• Receive their compositions in a professionally notated publication

Multiple weeks of camp are strongly encouraged for an enriched compositional experience. Works in progress are also encouraged!

What age range can attend?

Campers must be entering 1st thru 12th grade to be eligible to attend. We will further divide Campers each week based on their age and experience level. Afternoon camps are primarily designed for the Intermediate level student and above but if your camper has less experience but wants to participate anyway, we won’t turn them away.

How much is camp?

Each camp session offered is $130/week and runs for 3 hours, either in the AM or PM. You may also choose to combine camps for a full day experience. We are planning for up to 8 participants per camp session. (Note: you must pay for each camp session in full to hold your Camper’s spot. However you may cancel a camp session for a full refund if you send a written request to [email protected] no later than 14 days prior to the camp start date.)

When is camp held?

Camps are held Monday-Friday for 3 weeks starting in late June and ending in late July. You have the option to select a single camp per week that meets either in the AM or PM. Intermediate morning campers have the option to participate in either the afternoon chamber music or composition camps to create a full-day experience.

***Camps require a minimum of 4 students to be held.***

What camp should I choose?

Here are a few scenarios with suggestions and tips:

• Scenario 1: My daughter has been taking piano lessons for two years and we really want them to advance this summer. She seems stuck in a rut and not motivated to practice.
  • Our advice: Sign her up for a week of Intermediate Piano Camp and Chamber Music Camp. Intermediate Piano Camp will reinforce what she’s been learning, giving your child more confidence. Chamber Music Camp will be incredibly fun as she works with her peers in small ensembles: duets, trios, quartets, etc.
  • Tip: If your child has a friend, tell them about music camp and bring them along!

• Scenario 2: My son plays violin at school. He’s never taken private lessons because I can’t tell if he’s really serious about it or not.
  • Our advice: Sign him up for a week of Chamber Music Camp. He’s likely not experienced the sheer fun and enjoyment that playing in small ensembles can bring.
  • Tip: Bring a friend that plays too!

• Scenario 3: My daughter has been studying piano for 8 years and is serious about her studies. She competes every year in the local TMTA chapter events and does well. I want to help her take the next step forward.
  • Our advice: Having the opportunity to work with world-renowned Dr. Michael Schneider, who has traveled the world performing and competing in the international circuit, is a rare opportunity typically only found at the Collegiate level. Dr. Schneider’s teaching lineage goes directly back to Beethoven and Haydn, which means that your child will benefit from knowledge and wisdom literally passed down through time.
  • Tip: Register for as many weeks of Advanced Piano Camp as your budget and time allows. At this level, Dr. Schneider will also rotate in Chamber Music and Composition as well to ensure that your child experiences every aspect of what it feels like to be a professional musician.

• Scenario 4: I played piano as a kid when I was young and remember thinking it was boring, although I wish I was better at it. I’m not sure I’m ready to commit to my son taking lessons but I do want my son to at least understand music.
  • Our advice: Camp is a perfect way to allow a child to try something without a major commitment. You’ll be able to tell from just one week if music is soul-enriching to your child and should be pursued more seriously.
  • Tip: We know we’re biased but there are also all kinds of medical literature available that shows how music promotes brain development. In our household, we consider the study of music as important as reading and math. It’s something a person will carry with them forever. We’ve never met an adult that said they wished they hadn’t taken lessons. What we have met are scores and scores of adults that wished they were better at their instruments and that they’d stuck with it longer. Plus, Dr. Schneider is not your average run-of-the-mill music teacher. He holds a Doctorate in Piano Performance, has played in Carnegie Hall and the Liszt Museum in Budapest, and has been teaching for over 30 years. He is a gifted teacher that understands how all the pieces of technique fit together to ensure a child can advance through their years of study.

What does my child need to attend camp?

For beginners, simply show up ready to learn. We will provide all learning materials.

For students with prior experience, bring any recent method or repertoire books. If you worked on any pieces for a recital this spring, make sure they are still well-practiced since you may have an opportunity to us them during Camp!

For all students, we will be providing bottled water and a snack daily. Gluten-free and nut-free options will always be available.

Are all the Camp Sessions still available?

Sessions are starting to fill up! We limit each session to a maximum of 8 campers since we really want to be able to provide a nice balance between group and private engagement to ensure a high level of quality. Once the session is full, we will note it here.

Watch:

• Chamber Music Camp for Week 1 has only 1 spot remaining.
• Composition Camp for Week 2 has 2 spots remaining.

Not Available:

• Beginner Piano Camp for Week 1 is full.
• Intermediate Piano Camp for Week 1 is full.
• Advanced Piano Camp for Week 1 is full.
• Composition Camp will not be held for Week 1. If interested, please sign up for Week 2.

What if I have more questions?

Please email [email protected] or call/text 1-833-687-4289 and we’ll set up a time to chat so you can get all your questions answered!

How do I register for camp?

1. Fill out the form below. You will need to register each child separately or you can give us a call and we’ll register you over the phone. If you have any questions, email [email protected] or call/text 1-833-687-4289.
2. This is a 5-page form with payment information on the final page.