Summer Programs

Join us each June and July for a series of summer programs. Most summer programs assume no prior musical experience, except where noted. The Music School welcomes students of all ages and backgrounds. Please check back next spring for a complete list of 2010 summer programs.

The Music School's 2009 summer programs included the following:

Summer Sings - Sing your favorites and learn a few new ones in these Community Sings that are open to all. We’ll have the words for you, plus a little dancing and drumming as an added bonus. Open to all; no prior experience necessary.

June 30: Family Sing - Join Carolyn Parrott and Heather Oberheim for an evening of singing all of your favorites for the whole family. "I've Been Working on the Railroad" and "She'll be Coming 'Round the Mountain" are just some of the time-tested gems that all ages will enjoy.
July 7: Folk Song Hootenanny - If you ever wonder “Where Have All the Flowers Gone,” the answer, my friends, is “Blowin’ in the Wind.” Hosted by David Surette and Susie Burke, who hope you’ll join them for an evening of folk songs from the 30's to the present.
July 14: Music of the Sixties: Motown and the Beatles - Some of us thought we’d never reach 64 while others of us weren’t even born yet. Still, the songs live on. Jane Berlin Pauley, Kent Allyn and David Tonkin "ain't too proud to beg" you to join them for an evening of musical nostalgia.
July 21: African Rhythms - Grace and Lindsey Schust will help you try your hand at African style drumming with the traditional Mande harvest celebration rhythm, “Kuku." Participants will learn basic drumming techniques, and also sing and learn the dance movements as the spirit moves. Drums will be provided on a first-come basis, or bring your own (djembe, ashiko, conga).
July 28: Broadway Night - Join Emily Jaworksi and Calvin Herst for an evening of singing all of your favorite Broadway hits, from Richard Rodgers, Cole Porter, and the Gershwins to more contemporary favorites. If you have any special requests let us know in advance. We’ll croon Broadway tunes in July.

Music and Movement- Come and play with songs...stories...movement games...rhythm instruments... improvisation...art...dance... fun! Open to all children 6 months-7 years old and their parents/caregivers.

Bouncers (6 – 18 months) - 9:00AM - An opportunity for caregiver and baby to bond through bounces, lullabies, finger plays and stories.
Swinging Siblings (6 months – 4 years) - 9:45AM - Designed for families of more than one small child to encourage bonding between siblings and with caregivers.
Movers & Shakers (18 – 30 months) - 10:45AM - Teaches songs, finger plays, stories and movement games to enrich family life throughout the week.
Creative Dance (3.5 - 7 years)- 1:00PM
Musical Travelers (30 – 48 months) - 2:00PM - Presents children with fun activities, creative songs, and inventive movements to enrich their musical experience
Music & Art (4 – 6 years) - 3:00PM - Explores the connections between music and art. Children will paint, draw, create instruments and make music in response to the art around them

Jazz Camp - Improve your ensemble skills, learn to improvise, and record your musical achievements in the Music School’s recording studio at Jazz Camp. Each day, you’ll work together in ensembles and listening sessions, and also concentrate on your instrument in workshops for drum set, winds, guitar and bass. Open to teens and adults who have some playing experience.

Insightful improvisation teaches students to listen to their inner selves in order to enhance the creative process. Students concentrate on phrasing, tone and expression. Intervals and scales are also studied.
Introduction to the recording studio includes instruction on using the mixing board and patch bays, microphones, EQ, compression and effects. The week concludes with recording a CD of the student ensembles.
Ensembles create a tight group sound by focusing on improvisation, listening and rhythm-section skills. Ensembles will be recorded at the end of the week.
Guitar master classes, offered daily, cover how to generate ideas, build a chord vocabulary, develop a linear approach to the fret board, and connect with your guitar.
Techniques for wind instruments focuses on a particular aspect of jazz performance including breath support, tone, intervals, modes, scales, ear training and stylistic interpretation.
Bass workshops explore styles and grooves of the jazz idiom, with a focus on the music theory that supports them and how to construct appropriate bass lines.
Drum set master classes focus on time-functioning skills in jazz, Latin and contemporary settings. Sightreading, drum chart interpretation, brush technique and improvisation will be covered.

Seminars for Singers - Whether you sing in a chorus, sing at church, sing in a band, or sing on stage, these participatory sessions will help you (or singers you work with) learn to protect your voice, succeed in auditions, cope with stage fright, and communicate with your audience. For teens and adults with some singing experience (July 16 is for teachers & choral directors only). Faculty: Ellen Nordstrom Baer.

July 9th: The Care and Maintenance of the Voice - Discover tips on proper vocal maintenance, and receive ideas on how to customize vocalizations and relaxation
strategies that will work for you. This session will also give tips on singing when you're not feeling well and special considerations for keeping the maturing voice healthy.
July 16th: Working with the Beginning Singer - Voice teachers and choral directors will discover strategies to maximize the vocal potential and performance potential of beginning students while maintaining healthy vocalization habits. Teachers and directors who work with singers younger than 12 or older than 60 will receive helpful advice in working with these age groups. There will be opportunities for participation, demonstration, and questions and answers.
July 23rd: Preparing a Successful Audition - Learn to enjoy the audition process by systematically leaving "nothing to chance." Become more successful in auditions through overall character interpretation, mental choreography, and presentation practice. Five pre-selected singers will illustrate these techniques for the entire class in a master class format. (Please call 228-1196 ext. 58 if you would like to sing.)
July 30th: Preparing for Performance - Devise a routine that you can rely on for the day of a performance—the diet, breathing, and physical and mental
preparation that you depend on that day, as well as in those backstage moments right before you sing. This session will give you some relaxation techniques and help you learn how to warm up the voice, cope with stage fright, and present a song.