FULL-DAY PROGRAMS

Summermusic is all about making music with other kids while having fun. We all sing (some better than others!) and we all play instruments (some as beginners, some as experienced musicians). Summermusic is an ensemble-based camp, with the emphasis on playing and singing in group environments rather than one-on-one instruction. We explore how music is created and we create our own music, too. By the end of the two-week camp, everyone has learned new songs, developed new skills, and made new friends!

Full-day camp hours are 9:30 am to 3:00 pm.

JUNIOR

Age 9 (entering Grade 4) and up. No previous musical instruction is required. 

INSTRUCTORS: Steven Janisse, Dian Wilkie, Liz Hart, Susan Butler, April Morris, Natasha MacDonald, Karen Christian, and Laura Vokey, with teaching assistant Lauryn Conway

Junior music-campers learn the basics of playing an instrument, and they have fun doing plenty of other music activities, too! They sing together in a small choir, listen to different kinds of music and explore how it is composed, develop their own music-creating skills, and they join the other full-day campers in a large choir. Of course, they have fun playing games outdoors, too. These children are to select one instrument from this list for their group beginner classes: flute, oboe, clarinet, alto sax, trumpet, trombone, violin, or cello. We provide the instruments. Parents will be amazed at what these kids can accomplish in two weeks at music camp!

Please note: if your child has learned the same beginner instrument for two years at Summermusic, please help them to choose a different instrument this year.  We will gladly assist in this decision – contact us!

JUNIOR FEES:    $440 before May 22                 $490 after May 22

INTERMEDIATE

Age 9 (entering Grade 4) and up, with a minimum of one-year music instruction up to Grade 4 RCM level on any orchestra or band instrument. Experienced recorder players are also welcome.  Basic music-reading knowledge is expected.  Campers in this program are required to provide their own instrument.

INSTRUCTORS: Susan Butler, April Morris, Natasha MacDonald, Liz Hart, Steven Janisse, Dian Wilkie, and Brandon Wilkie, with teaching assistant Lauryn Conway

Intermediate music-campers aren’t beginners anymore, they already know the basics on their instrument! They are keen to experience the fun of ensemble playing while developing their musical skills. At camp, Intermediate musicians have two daily orchestra rehearsals and a group session with their instrument family. They play lots of different types of exciting and interesting music in these two ensembles! In addition to playing their instruments, Intermediates sing in Massed Choir, explore great music in Musical Arts, and have fun outdoors in Recreation. 

SENIOR

Age 11 to 18, playing at or above Grade 4 RCM level on any orchestra or band instrument. Campers in this program are required to provide their own instrument.

INSTRUCTORS: Susan Butler, April Morris, Natasha MacDonald, Steven Janisse, Dian Wilkie, and Brandon Wilkie, with teaching assistant Lauryn Conway

This program is for you if you have been studying your instrument for a few years and you love the joys and challenges of music-making! This is your chance to play in a small ensemble or chamber music group with others of your level, where you can enrich your knowledge and make new friends through music. These music-campers have two senior ensemble rehearsals every day as well as a daily session with their instrument family, and they will explore a variety of repertoire during the two week-camp. Senior music-campers join with other full-day campers for Massed Choir, Musical Arts, and Recreation. If you are an experienced teen musician, this is the program for you!

GUITAR PLUS  *New Program*

Age 11 to 18 with some previous guitar experience.  Participants are required to provide their own acoustic guitar. 

INSTRUCTOR: Steven Janisse

Do you love to play the guitar? Here’s your chance to come to a music camp where you can play guitar with other kids who love the guitar! You’ll improve your guitar skills by learning with an expert instructor, and develop your creative abilities, too. Not only that, but you’ll deepen your overall musical knowledge by listening to other kinds of music and discussing how it is created, as well as singing in a large choir with the other full-day campers. You’ll be with the other campers for fun outdoor activities, too.  Summermusic is excited to offer this new program for guitar-players, and we’re sure you’ll be excited to take part!

INTERMEDIATE/SENIOR AND GUITAR PLUS FEES:        $395 before May 22              $450 after May 22

 

MUSIC FOR THE YOUNG: daily mini-courses

AGES 3 TO 5 (PARENT AND KINDER) 

Minimum age is 3 years old on July 10, 2023

This daily 40-minute mini-course is a great introduction to music for your child, while helping equip parents/caregivers to encourage music-making at home. Instructor Laura will lead the children and their caregivers in engaging music & movement activities. 

INSTRUCTOR: Laura Vokey        

CLASS TIMES AND FEES:

Class Time:  11:20 to 12:00               

Fees:  $165 before May 22             $180 after May 22

AGES 6 TO 8

Minimum age is 6 years old on July 10, 2023

The children who attend these mini-courses experience the joy of music through a variety of engaging activities including singing, percussion instruments and creative movement. The 60-minute session includes instrumental instruction on recorder, violin or cello. Course fee includes recorder purchase or rental cost for violin or cello. Please select your choice of instrument and class time on the registration form.  

INSTRUCTORS: Laura Vokey, Liz Hart, Natasha MacDonald, Susan Butler  

CLASS TIMES AND FEES:

Class Time:      12:40 to 1:40   OR    1:20 to 2:20   

*Yes, there is some overlap in the class times! You are, in fact, reading correctly 😀*

Fees:  $235 before May 22                        $260 after May 22

 

**Enrolment is limited for all Music for the Young programs, so register your child soon**

 

What do we do at Summermusic? Read below to find out. 

Junior Choir – for Junior Musicians

Children sing, develop music-reading skills, and expand their general musical knowledge in a fun and friendly environment.  You don’t need to know anything about music before you come, but those who do have previous musical experience will learn lots more! 

Beginner Instruments – for Junior Musicians

Our Junior Musicians receive daily beginner instruction on an instrument they select when they register, and we provide the instruments! Juniors get lots of opportunity to become familiar with their new instruments, as they will use them in Creativity sessions as well as in their daily beginner class.

Chamber Ensemble – for Senior Musicians

Our Senior campers will be given opportunities to play in a chamber music setting, depending on the instrumentation and capabilities of registrants.  Chamber music groups of three or more musicians will be created, and these ensembles will work together independently in addition to having coached sessions.  Playing in a chamber ensemble is a fun challenge for any musician, and this opportunity is rare for youth musicians!

Winds and Brass Ensemble and Technique – for Intermediate and Senior woodwind and brass players

These musicians will work with our wind faculty to expand their understanding of technical issues such as breathing, use of air and tongue, facility, intonation, and blend. They will apply these skills in challenging and inspiring music for wind ensemble.

String Ensemble and Technique – for Intermediate and Senior string players

These musicians will work with our string faculty to build on their knowledge of technical issues such as use of the bow, shifting, tone, and tuning. They will apply these skills by playing challenging and inspiring music for string ensemble.

Guitar Ensemble and Technique – for Guitar Plus Musicians

These musicians will work with our guitar instructor to expand their understanding of technical issues and overall musicianship. They will apply these skills in challenging and inspiring music for guitar ensemble.

Orchestra – for Intermediate and Senior Musicians

Orchestra is where strings, woodwinds, and brass students play together. For many students, this may be their only opportunity all year to play in an ensemble with other instrument families, and it is great fun! Summermusic’s orchestras learn a variety of different pieces of music, carefully selected to suit the abilities and instrumentation of each ensemble. 

Musical Arts – for everyone!

Why do some pieces of music make us feel happy and others make us feel sad?  What is a symphony or a fugue or an opera?  How can music conjure up pictures in your mind? In Musical Arts sessions  we listen to all kinds of music and share the thoughts and feelings they create within us. 

Massed Choir – for everyone!

Each day, all full-day campers sing together. It is a wonderful and powerful experience to be one voice within a large choir, singing music with parts for different voices.

Creativity – for Junior Musicians

Daily Creativity sessions are where our Junior musicians develop listening skills, improve music literacy, and explore creating their own music. Campers will experience a variety of creativity activities, using percussion instruments, voices, and the instruments they are learning to play in beginner class. These sessions will include elements of improvisation, composition, rhythm, and ear training.

Recreation – for everyone!

Every afternoon, our full-day campers have an outdoor period to play organized games at a variety of intensities. Each activity is coordinated by a staff member.