<p>Thanks to those who shared information about some of the selective summer composition programs for high school students. I've looked at several of them, and the credentials of the students they take, and I think my son probably doesn't have the resume (or perhaps, the tools) for those. Does anyone have a suggestion for a non-selective summer music program or camp that would teach composition skills? He is currently a high school junior, with some theory. He plays piano in the school jazz band, as well as clarinet, so a program with a performance element would be OK.</p>
<p>You could look into New York Summer Music Festival (NYSMF). My daughter didn't pursue any of the composition courses, but knew a young man up there that did, and had returned a second year to do it again ... and he seemed to be a bit of a music geek, so I am guessing that the program satisfied his lofty needs, lol.
NYSMF is a non-competitive environment, with a big, big emphasis on getting the kids up onstage performing, regardless of talent level. It has a very active jazz component. As parents we felt it was an extremely well-run program, and our daughter will deifnitiely be going back. You do need to provide proof of musical aptitude as part of the admissions process (recommendation letter from a teacher, eg), but I never felt like their admissions "bar" was set prohibitively high.</p>
<p>Hunt - what part of the country are you in? Some of the local colleges or universities in your area might hold summer music camps for high schoolers. </p>
<p>I found this nice list of summer programs. Since composition may not be offered at each, you'd have to investigate them individually.
<a href="http://www.pittsburghyouthsymphony.org/summercamps.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.pittsburghyouthsymphony.org/summercamps.html</a></p>
<p>Also, Brevard Music Camp has a composition program. The camp itself is easier to get in on some instruments than on others, but I don't know that their composition department is too difficult. My S studied composition there as a "minor" while his main focus was horn, in 9th grade. He had no formal composition training prior to that point, and enjoyed the summer immensely.</p>
<p>We live in the Maryland suburbs of DC. Thanks for the suggestions and the list...some of those look very interesting.</p>
<p>I attended California State Summer School for the Arts in 2004 and 2005 as a music composition major. The environment is supportive, stimulating, intense, and fairly well accomodates students of different levels. The entire program's acceptance rate is around 50% (500 students are either theatre, dance, visual arts, creative writing, animation, or music majors, usually around 12 of the 70-ish music department being composition majors), which while is non-competitive for CA residents, there are usually limited spots for out-of-state applicants. He should still look into it though - feel free to ask me questions about the program. What kind of feel is he looking for?... CSSSA won't offer a conservative, classical conservatory feel.</p>
<p>My son studied composition two years at NYSMF. The composition program is only one period a day, but it does meet every day. David Ludwig, from Curtis, has been the teacher. He's wonderful. Second year DS composed a movement of a string quartet and had it performed by the faculty. He got to give notes. One of the real high points of his life and a CD he used in college applications.</p>
<p>Just came across this on the AMC Opportunities list for May. I know nothing about it beyond this - but it sounds interesting for the right kid to me:
Postmark Deadline: June 15, 2010 (Enrollment) Junior ComposersStudio or Institute
Junior Composers is a residential summer camp housed at the University of Minnesota School of Music in Minneapolis for musicians, age 14-20 who want to develop their creativity through music composition. Every student will compose and perform in at least one premiere. The featured opportunity this year is to compose “Live Music for Silent Film.” The Studio July 12-24, 2010, a two- week camp. Core features: seminars and master classes with guest composer Richard Marriott, visual literacy workshops with film- maker Barbara Weiner, score analysis, two field trips to the Minnesota Orchestra along with all of the features of the Institute. The Institute July 18-24, 2010, a week-long camp. Core features: composition tutorials, 2-hours of music theory/ear-training every day, readings of new works with a professional ensemble, compose and perform a new work, daily sessions with guest artists, field trip to the Minnesota Orchestra. Online enrollment and detailed program information are available at the website listed below.
Junior Composers (No Mailing Address Provided)
Contact: Randall Davidson Phone: (No Mailing Address) Email: <a href="mailto:davidson@boysartmusic.com">davidson@boysartmusic.com</a> Website: [Junior</a> Composers](<a href=“http://www.juniorcomposers.org%5DJunior”>http://www.juniorcomposers.org)</p>
<p>Hey, my old thread! Just a note on this–I ended up being wrong about my son’s credentials, because he got into Boston University Tanglewood Institute that summer, is now a freshman studying composition at Yale, and is going to Brevard college division this summer. So I guess what I’d say is that if you have some good pieces to submit, try the selective programs–while being prepared to look at the less selective ones as well.</p>