The Middle School Concert Band Camp at the Music for All Summer Symposium has been designed from the ground up with the middle school student in mind. The camp combines superior teaching, outstanding experiences, and a safe, welcoming environment for young people. But, why is a summer music camp the right thing for your child this summer? There are many excellent reasons to encourage your child to attend a summer music camp; here are some of the benefits to consider:
(1) Continue Development of Performance Skills
Students spend the school year learning new skills and refining them for performance. A summer music camp will help stave off the backward slide performance skills can take during the summer. They are a great way to bridge the gap in learning (and retaining) skills and concepts over the long summer months.
(2) Expand View of Participation in Music
As their daily lives become routine, it is easy for kids to remain unaware of the scope of participation in music performance at their age level. Sure, they may attend a festival or competition, but those experiences will likely have limited interaction with peers from other schools. A summer music camp truly allows the students to get to know their music peers – often from distant schools – to help broaden their view of participation in music.
(3) Foster Independence and Self-Reliance
Especially for students traveling away from home to stay at the summer music camp, this will be a chance for them to build their self-confidence as individuals and as performers. The camp can provide a safe environment for a student to tackle new personal and musical challenges.
(4) Inspire New Learning through Novel Experiences
New or novel experiences can be powerful influences on imprinting memories in our brains. The best summer music camps are places to meet new friends, perform new music, and provide new inspiration to encourage continued study. The wonderful memories and friendships forged at a summer music camp can last a lifetime, and provide a springboard for further development as individuals and musicians.
(5) Build Confidence through Successful, Meaningful Music Creation
Often, summer music camps ask students to perform a placement audition to form groups based on ability. Placing kids in like-ability ensembles creates a safe environment for taking risks and tackling new challenges.
(6) Deepen Knowledge Related to Chosen Instrument
Many performance-based summer camps will include masterclasses presented by experts for a given instrument. Summer music camps present a wonderful venue for in-depth focus on an instrument and the skill development necessary to advance as a performer.
(7) Explore New Avenues for Performance/Participation
Getting ready to start marching band in high school? Want to dive into jazz improvisation? Intrigued by small chamber ensemble experiences? Summer music camps offer a diversity of opportunities to explore new avenues of performance.
(8) Develop and Strengthen Friendships Rooted in Music-Making
Many students (and adults) are drawn to music-making, in part, for the socialization aspect. The summer music camp can strengthen existing friendships, and open the doors for new ones.
The summer break is a great time for fun-filled adventures. The Middle School Concert Band Camp at the Music for All Summer Symposium offers an exciting, inspiring week within a safe, welcoming environment. Young band kids will grow as musicians and as individuals through this positively life-changing experience!
