May 23, 2006
Young musicians to improve skills at SIUC camps
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Young Musicians will make memories at band camp during the annual Summer Music Festival at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, a program sponsored by SIUC's School of Music in the College of Liberal Arts.
Scores of students from across Southern Illinois will attend band camp, a guitar seminar, string and piano chamber music camp, jazz improvisation classes and music theater camp. The University also is offering a high school choir camp for the first time.
"This is something we've needed for a long time," said Robert L. Weiss, director of SIUC's School of Music. "We've done a lot of things for instrumentalists but the choir programs don't get the same opportunities because they're not as visible, but not this year. We now have a faculty member who will provide an exciting week for high school students."
The music camps are held on the SIUC campus and include accommodations for overnight and commuting campers.
Weiss encourages young people to take advantage of the music camps and to make music a part of their lives.
Applications and more information are available at http://www.siu.edu/~music or by calling 618-53-MUSIC.
The music camp schedule follows:
Guitar seminar
June 5-9
Beginning and advanced levels of study available. Technique and musicianship study through individual and class participation. Performer I (expert), $200; performer II (beginner), $150.
Music Theater
June 18-24
A program for 13-18 year olds. Instructors give campers individual and group attention to improve singing, acting and dancing skills. Daily rehearsals with the experienced camp leaders include creative exercises concentrating on each student's performance strengths and working to better their shortcomings. They are encouraged to grow as a team while allowing each other their own time in the spotlight. The final performance includes a presentation of scenes and musical numbers learned. Residents $350; commuters, $175.
Senior high band
June 18-24
June 25-July 1
Two-week option, June 18-July 1.
Concert band, jazz band, theory and technique classes. Lots of great music, concerts and friendships. Single-week camp: Residents, $350; commuters, $175. Two-week camp: Residents, $650; commuters, $300.
String and piano chamber music
June 18 - July 1
Participants will explore the wealth of great literature for this combination, from the 17th through the 21st centuries. Musicians will be assigned to a chamber ensemble appropriate to their ability level. Daily sessions will include expert coaching, as well as individual and ensemble practice. Several recital opportunities occur throughout the festival. Residents (high school only), $650; Commuters (junior high or high school), $300.
Jazz improvisation
June 18-24
Open to all high school instrumentalists (rhythm section players and wind players) who wish to improve their jazz improvisation skills. Emphasis is on improvisation and small group playing, with one hour of the day devoted to big band performance. The schedule includes combo rehearsals, jazz theory and improvisation, jazz history, individual instrument classes, big band, and faculty performances and demonstrations. Residents, $350; commuters, $175.
High school choir
June 25 - July 1
Participants receive individual voice training, choral ensemble singing, and classes in music fundamentals. In addition, musical events are planned each night, along with other activities on the college campus. Residents, $350; commuters, $175.
Junior high band
July 9-14
Band, master classes, theory, technique classes. Lots of great music, concerts and friendships. Residents, $295; commuters, $150.
Southern Illinois Children's Choir
July 10-14
The program will run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day in Old Baptist Foundation across from Altgeld Hall. Activities include choral rehearsals, movement, hand bells, singing games and snack. The camp will culminate in a concert on Friday, July 14. Singing for a St. Louis Cardinals ball game will highlight the week. All singers entering grades 3 through 9 are welcome. Membership in the Children's Choir is not required to participate in the camp. Interested singers may audition for the choir after lunch provided on Friday. Registration, $55; T-shirt, $10.
Youth band
July 17-22
July 24-29
Two exciting weeks of day camp music instruction for students in grades 4-6 who have been playing for six months to 2 years. Participants receive instruction in band, technique classes, sectionals, listening experiences. Single week, $45; two weeks, $80.
Instrument repair seminar
June 19-23
Taught by technician Terry Wafler, the course will provide hands-on skills for woodwind repair including replacing head corks, tenon corks, lead-pipe corks on flutes, clarinets, and saxophones. Keys regulation and replacing corks and pads also is covered. General maintenance on all woodwind instruments will be addressed. You may bring your own instruments to work on or use the ones provided. A repair kit and screwdriver kit are also available for purchase. Participants, $125.
Leading in cultural activities is among the goals of Southern at 150: Building Excellence Through Commitment, the blueprint the University is following as it approaches its 150th anniversary in 2019.