Music camp is a GREAT opportunity for students to improve music skills, continue playing during the summer months, make new friends, and HAVE FUN! As many students will attest to, a music camp also helps motivate them for the upcoming school year and beyond.
Camps traditionally have professional and collegiate musicians on their staff, as well as top-notch music educators that provide invaluable motivational and musical training for young musicians. A list of the camps in our area are below
“Professional Summer Camps”
Interlochen Summer Arts Camp – Music, art, dance, theater, creative writing, and more for grades 3-12! See their video of Arts Camp 2011.
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp – Music plus art, dance, and theater! For students in grades 5-12. Campers choose from 10 different majors and 26 minor areas of study to create their camp experience.
Birch Creek Music Center – Symphony orchestra, jazz, percussion, and steel band. Individualized instruction, small & large ensembles, seminars, and specialized classes.
Smith Walbridge Clinics – offer summer camps / clinics and workshops for drum majors, marching band students, band directors, colorguard (flag and rifle), winter guard, mace / signal baton, marching band student leadership, sponsors and marching percussion.
Illinois-area Music Camps
Illinois Summer Youth Music (ISYM), the summer music camp at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. A comprehensive curriculum, rehearsals, sectionals, masterclasses, and evening activities for junior high and high school students.
Western Illinois University – WIU School of Music faculty, junior high & high school music educators, ensemble rehearsals, sectionals, small ensembles & solo opportunities for specialty camps, optional private lessons, recreation activities, evening entertainment, and concert/ final performances for all camps.
Illinois State University – Concert band & string project for junior high students. Concert band, drum major, dance, drumline, and color guard for high school students.
Elmhurst Summer Music Camp – a five day summer chamber music festival for strings, winds, brass, and percussion, where your creativity takes center stage! In addition to conservatory-level instruction for your instrument and chamber ensemble, you can participate in special seminars on topics including Composition and related computer programs, Preparing for College Applications and Auditions, Working in A Recording Studio and more.
Eastern Illinois University – Band, choir, strings, jazz, and piano camps.
Illinois Wesylan University – Cello and Chamber music camps for students in grades 7-12.
Northern Illinois University – Rehearsals, seminars, master classes, jam sessions, sectionals, and group classes, all taught by NIU jazz faculty, alumni, and students. Concerts, optional private lessons, and recreational activities fill the evening hours. Grades 8-12
Southern Illinois University (Carbondale) – Grade 7-12. Refine your musical skills during daily rehearsals, masterclasses, and concerts. Students may take part in HS and JHS Band Camp, Jazz Improv, Drum Major, and Marching Percussion Camp.
Chicago Chamber Music Workshop – Camp for serious music students in grades 7-12. Students take part in chamber music study and performances.
Northwestern University – Music Theatre camp for high school students at one of the elite music conservatories in the country.
Local Chicago-Area Music Camps
Dr. Cate’s Flute Camp – Flute choir, technique classes, small ensembles, special guests/projects, and private lessons. For students in grades 7-10.
Sherwood Conservatory – Sherwood’s Summer Chamber Music Workshop is open to talented young musicians ages 11-18 that play piano, violin, viola, cello, flute, oboe or clarinet.
Midwest Young Artists Summer Music Camps – Chamber music, jazz, flute, clarinet, bass, and early music. Week long workshops for junior high/high school students. Also, evening jazz big band, orchestra, and wind symphony.
Out-of-state Music Camps (Wisconsin, Indian, Iowa)
Music for All Summer Symposium (Ball State University, Muncie, IN) – Concert band, jazz, orchestra, marching band, National Percussion Symposium, color guard, and drum majors. Leadership skills and evening entertainment events
Indiana University Summer Music Clinic (Bloomington, IN) – Concert bands, jazz, and orchestra for students in grades 8-12. Brass, woodwind, and string ensembles, plus opportunities in jazz improv, leadership, conducting, and composition.
Lawrence University (Appleton, WI) – High school/middle school concert band, chamber music, and piano odyssey camps.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater – High school/middle school concert band, string orchestra, and chorus camp. Specialty camps: flute (July 7th-12th), piano, and solo voice.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Percussion Camp – Percussion ensembles & master classes on snare drum, bass drum, mallets, timpani, hand percussion, drumset, and symphonic percussion.