Students attending one of the Summer Music Festival camps in 2023 gather for a group photo outside of Mason Hall, home of SUNY Fredonia’s School of Music.
Whatever the musical interests and talent of a child, week-long camps at the annual Summer Music Festival at SUNY Fredonia will place children on course for an enjoyable musical experience.
“The SUNY Fredonia Summer Music Festival welcomes middle and high schoolers for a week of musical and personal growth in a relaxed atmosphere. Work with Fredonia's world-class faculty in our excellent facilities...live like a music major for a week...make music and memories,” said School of Music Adjunct Lecturer Tiffany Nicely, festival director.
Student campers spend a week working with School of Music faculty and guest artists, perform in small-and large-group ensembles, attend classes and faculty recitals and enjoy fun activities. They can register as a resident or commuting student.
New to the festival is a Choral Camp, for students in grades 8 to 12.
The five camps include:
• Middle School Band Camp, Sunday, June 30 to Saturday, July 6. Opportunities for learning, improving technical skills and expanding musicality. In addition to band rehearsals, chamber ensembles and jazz groups, students will attend daily electives, participate in master classes, attend special evening performances and have time for individual practice and recreation.
• High School Band Camp, Sunday, June 30 through Saturday, July 6. Unique opportunities for learning, improving technical skills and expanding musicality. Along with band rehearsals, chamber ensembles and jazz groups, there are also daily electives, master classes, special evening performances and time for individual practice and recreation.
• Choral Camp, Sunday, June 30 to Saturday, July 6. Daily activities include singing together in a choir and chorus, performing opera and musical theatre scenes, speech and movement classes, and optional private lessons. Attendees join band and piano campers and camp counselors for nightly activities.
• Piano Camp, Sunday, June 30 to Saturday, July 6. Daily activities include individual and group lessons, practice time, faculty recitals, elective classes, chorus, music theory, chamber music, free time and planned recreation with students in band and choral camps.
• String Camp, Sunday, July 14 to Saturday, July 20. Designed for violin, viola, cello and double bass players, grades 8 to 12. Daily activities include orchestra rehearsals, chamber music, technique classes and faculty recitals.
Registration deadline for band, choral and piano camps is Monday, June 17. String camp registration deadline is Monday, July 1. Online registration is available.
The finale concert for band, choral and piano camps will be held Saturday, July 6, at 1:30 p.m., in King Concert Hall. The String Camp will hold its finale performance on Saturday, July 20, at noon, also in King. There is no admission charge for either concert.
Past music camps have generated applause in student surveys, one calling the week “one of the best experiences I’ve had” and another saying it was “super cool” to play in the concert hall. Some indicate the experience resulted in SUNY Fredonia becoming their preferred school to attend, Dr. Nicely noted.
