Electives
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In addition to their regular schedule of rehearsals and sectionals, students take either 1 or 2 elective classes, listed below, that they attend every day. This allows campers to explore different areas of interest or play in new types of ensembles. Placement is made according to the date the application is received, preference, class capacity, and qualification. |
| We offer classes for all levels of playing ability; however, some electives are limited to advanced players or have other requirements as listed in the description. | |
Please click on the elective below to see a description. |
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ARRANGING/COMPOSITION - Advanced theory class for those interested in instrument ranges & characteristics, transpositions & scoring or students who are currently writing music of any kind. All students choosing this elective will be required to take a placement exam on registration day.
BASS ENSEMBLE - Chamber ensemble for string bass students
BRASS CHOIR - Small ensemble of trumpets, horns, trombones, baritones & tubas - May also audition for orchestra
CHAMBER MUSIC FOR STRINGS - Small ensembles of strings. For Advanced Students Only. Placement in this class will be determined by recorded audition prior to camp. Send a recording, clearly labeled "Chamber Music" by June 8th for consideration. Recording should include a recent solo performance and a repertoire list (including both solo and chamber music works studied)
CHOIR - Vocal group for all levels
CLARINET CHOIR - Small ensemble of E♭, B♭, alto, bass and contra alto/bass clarinets
CONDUCTING - Learn the basic beat patterns of directing.
COLOR GUARD - ELEMENTARY - Learn the most basic components of color guard, including flag work and dance. No prior experience is necessary. Bring pole & flag if possible. However, rental flags are available.
COLOR GUARD - INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED - Covers all elements of color guard; including flags, weapons and dance. This elective is for students who have at least one year of color guard experience. Bring pole & flag if possible. However, rental flags are available.
COUNTRY MUSIC FOR VIOLIN - Violinists will become acquainted with tis traditional style & learn specific tunes. Will be offered at all ability levels.
DRUM MAJOR - To learn either the fundamentals or advanced concepts of conducting, teaching, & leadership.
FLUTE CHOIR - Small ensemble of flutes
ETHNIC DRUMMING - HS students only. An introduction to concepts and practices of various international ethnic drumming idioms
HORN CHOIR - Small ensemble of horns
IMPROVISATION - For advanced jazz players to learn to play impromptu solos. Limited to sax, trumpet, trombone & piano - grade 10 & up. You may also enroll in Jazz Band.
INTRO TO MUSIC EDUCATION - Limited to students who have completed 10th grade and older. An exploration of career opportunities as well as academic requirements, and course work leading to certification as a music educator.
JAZZ BAND - Sax, trumpet, trombone, rhythm & percussion students will audition on registration day for one of the four jazz bands. If choosing this elective, list as 1st choice. Those not qualifying will be placed in jazz methods. 9th grade & above only.
JAZZ HISTORY - And exploration of the development of jazz styles
JAZZ METHODS - For those who are not yet ready to audition for a jazz band but wish to learn jazz styles & rhythms. Only for 9th grade & above.
LEADERSHIP - Class to learn the skills necessary for positions such as officer & section leader.
LOW BRASS ENSEMBLE - Small ensemble of tubas & euphoniums
MARCHING PERCUSSION TECHNIQUES -For individual percussionists to learn marching cadences.
MUSIC LITERATURE - Will provide a greater understanding & enjoyment of music.
ORCHESTRA/WINDS & PERCUSSION - For ADVANCED wind & percussion students interested in performing with a full orchestra. BY AUDITION ONLY. Those not qualifying will be assigned another elective. You may also enroll in a woodwind quintet, jazz band, brass choir, trombone choir or percussion ensemble.
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE - Small ensemble of percussion instruments. You may also audition for orchestra. For Advanced Students Only.
PIANO - An introduction to piano basics
READING BAND - Class to improve sight reading ability.
REED MAKING FOR BASSOON AND OBOE - Class limited to bassoonists and oboistswho wish to learn to make & adjust reeds. Suggested for 9th grade & above. Warning: Sharp utensils will be used in this class. It is advisable for students to provide their own tools.
RHYTHMIC STUDIES - Learn basic elements of rhythm & counting.
ROCK MUSIC HISTORY - An exploration of the development of Rock and Roll styles, from their roots in rhythm and blues up to recent trends, through examination of recordings and viveos from representative eras.
SAX CHOIR - Small ensemble of alto, tenor & bari saxes
TECHNOLOGY IN MUSIC - An introduction to music software including composition, accompaniment, and editing software
THEORY - To learn either the fundamentals of theory including scales, key signatures, intervals, chord structure, & simple melodic dictation or the more advanced aspects of complicated chord structures, key schemes, intervals, & melodic dictation. All Theory students will be required to take a placement exam on registration day.
TROMBONE CHOIR - Small ensemble of trombones
TRUMPET CHOIR - Small ensemble of trumpets
TWIRLING - To learn baton techniques. Will be offered at all levels.
VIOLIN PERFORMANCE MASTER CLASS - To explore all aspects of performance, not just playing. Must have a prepared major solo. Enrollment limited to the first 10 students to enroll. For Advanced Students Only.
WOODWIND QUINTET - Ensemble of flute, oboe, B♭ clarinet, bassoon & horn. For Very Advanced Students Only. You may also audition for orchestra.