When the school year ends, for many kids it’s also the end of school activities like music. There are lots of kids who enjoy being in the marching band, school orchestra or jazz ensemble who look forward to summer for a chance to relax and enjoy being outdoors enjoying their favorite sports in the sunshine. But there are other young musicians who see summer as a time to put everything else aside and spend their time in a concentrated effort to improve their music skills and simply immerse themselves in the music they love. Some of these young people can find the answer to their dreams by considering these three music camps in New England.
1.SYMS The Summer Youth Music School at the University of New Hampshire is one of the best and longest operating music camps in New England. Conducted entirely on the campus of the University of New Hampshire in Durham New Hampshire, outstanding instructors, conductors and musical opportunities have awaited music students for each of the last 60 years.
SYMS offers two separate camp programs according to age with a Junior Program presented for students who have just completed grades 7 or 8 and a Senior Program given for students who have finished grades 9, 10, 11 or 12. Juniors attend for one full week and Seniors for two weeks. All students are lodged in college dormitories on the UNH campus and eat at the college cafeteria. The two campus swimming pools are available to them throughout their stay with supervision.
Upon arrival campers are divided into musical units depending upon ability. Campers may specialize in any major instrument or attend as campers with a concentration in voice. Throughout their stay campers participate in large and small group sessions, work with highly accomplished instructors and directors and enjoy the opportunity to work in a setting where everyone loves music. Here no one is made fun of because they play in the band. The better you play the more respect you receive. For many its a unique opportunity to enjoy music without social repercussions. Each session ends with performances for family and friends.
SYMS offers competitive scholarships and encourages campers to return. For more specific information about SYMS view the website at www.unh.edu/music/syms.htm.
2.BUTI The Boston University Tanglewood Institute located in Lenox, MA is not just a stand out among New England music camps, its reputation is international and it draws participants from far and wide. BUTI is prestigious in part because of its unequaled location, Tanglewood, the summer home and performance site of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. In effect this puts students within listening distance of some outstanding professional musicians.
Not everyone should apply to BUTI, while application is open this camp is really meant for those who are really serious about their music, who can accept constant musical challenge, who are ready to respond to the highest level of direction and instruction and who feel they can thrive in a summer camp experience that can truly be called a music immersion program.
Students are accepted into the BUTI can look forward to playing high quality music in a truly inspirational setting. BUTI has excellent practice and performance venues but students can also expect to spend time rehearsing, practicing and performing in outdoor settings , getting the full benefit of their proximity to the Berkshires. BUTI has offered high quality summer programs for high school students for 41 years. Those interested in this incredible musical experience may review the website at www.bu.edu/cfa/music/tanglewood and discover what outstanding music camps in New England are all about.
3. SWE Each summer the South Shore Conservatory, located in Hingham, MA on Boston’s South Shore, presents a variety of summer programs for the development and enrichment of music students. Among the many programs offered as summer music camps is a two week program called SWE.
SWE stands for Summer Wind Ensemble and is a concentrated music camp program for high school students and advanced musicians in middle school programs. Those who attend SWE spend ten music packed days together in small group sessions and larger performance groups. They have the opportunity to develop their individual instrumental ability and to work in harmony with others.
The experienced staff at SWE uses this music immersion opportunity to effectively raise not only the students level of performance but also his or her confidence in their musical skills. The two week session concludes with a concert and often an off site performance at a venue in an area town. The cost of the program is a hefty $450 but for those students really sincere in their desire to improve their skills its still a real bargain.
For more information about SWE check the website at www.southshoreconservatory.org .
There really is lots more to do in the summer than heading for the beach or ball field. If music is your thing, these camps are among the best music camps in New England.
