Summer Music Clinic | Junior Session
Grades 6-8
Junior session offers an opportunity for students completing 6th-8th grade to come and play, sing, create, and learn about music at all experience levels. Students can choose one of seven paths based on what they create, sing, or play and their goals and past experience. Students have one hour per day to choose an elective to dig deeper, try an additional path, or try something new! Each path has a balance of small and large group instruction, a diverse offering of musical styles in non-performance and performance based courses, and learning of technique combined with student creativity and choice.
- SMC values the music standards of Create, Perform, Respond and Connect
- Experience the music of the world and your community through listening, participating and creating
- Grow as a musician and individual through challenging courses and music while learning skills to be an activist for your space, creative voice and talents
- Meet a community of like-minded peers with multiple and diverse artistic voices and interests and work creatively together
It has been over a month now but I still lose my mind thinking about it, woo hoo! I can’t wait to go to UW Madison, it has been my dream ever since my first time at SMC the summer after sixth grade. It has totally changed my life and I will be forever grateful.”
smc student
2022
At a glance
JUNIOR SESSION REGISTRATION
Registration opens January 13, 2025 and is open through May 15, 2025.
JUNIOR SESSION dates
June 22 – 28, 2025
2025 junior session tuition rates
Residential: $1095
Daily commuter: $790
A nonrefundable $150 fee is due at the time of registration. $75 is an additional registration fee and the other $75 is a deposit to be applied toward any tuition costs.
All remaining tuition will be due by June 1, 2025.
STUDENT RECITAL
All SMC Students are welcome to express interest for and audition for the student recital when they arrive on campus.
Questions?
Contact SMC at [email protected] or 608-263-2242
Summer Music Clinic works in partnership with the UW–Madison Mead Witter School of Music
Community activities
Students will take part in Summer Music Clinic activities, meet their counselors, arts and crafts, sporting activities, games, see parts of campus, community celebrations, and connect with peers from across the state, country, and world.
Guest performers
All students will have the opportunity to listen to and experience multiple styles of music by professional musicians and educators
Student Daily Schedule
Residential students will stay overnight in a campus residence hall for the duration of the program. All meals and housing costs are included in residential tuition.
Daily Commuter students arrive between 7-7:30 a.m. each day. They participate in morning and afternoon classes, then leave for the day between 4:20-4:30 p.m. Lunch each day is included in the daily commuter tuition amount.
Ensemble placement
In harmony with UW-Madison ensemble and arts participation practices, all performance experiences and ensemble placement opportunities will be in person and allow the student to choose their experience based on their educational needs.
All students will choose a placement audition or placement conversation at SMC registration upon the start of camp. The placement process ensures that each student is set to succeed in an SMC course that provides a balance of challenge and level appropriate repertoire for a one week program for each student.
I came into this camp annoyed, nervous, and intimidated and I’m leaving experienced, confident, and happy. This actually might have been the best week of the summer.
SMC Student
2022
Choose your own Summer Music Clinic path
Choose one of the following seven path options and explore the elective options below too. The majority of your schedule is built based on the path you choose.
Band
Small and large group instruction for wind instruments and percussion, with creative and singing opportunities. All band path students choose one of the following electives:
- Choir for Instrumentalists*
- Film Music History
- Musical Creativity through Improvisational Play
- Musical Making
Guitar
Small and large group instruction for guitarists in multiple styles with ensemble playing. Students indicate either acoustic, classical, or electric guitar, and choose one of the following electives:
- Choir for Instrumentalists*
- Film Music History
- Musical Creativity through Improvisational Play
- Musical Making
Music exploration
For students looking to explore music or who have experienced music just a little. This is a good choice to try different parts of music and learn how to express yourself in new ways that may lead to new paths. Students choose one of the following:
- Choir for Instrumentalists*
- Film Music History
- Musical Creativity through Improvisational Play
- Musical Making
Piano
Small and large group instruction for pianists in multiple styles with ensemble playing. Piano path has a limited enrollment of 18 students. Students will choose one of the following electives:
- Choir for Instrumentalists*
- Film Music History
- Musical Creativity through Improvisational Play
- Musical Making
Choir/Voice
Small and large group instruction in voice with additional diverse learning opportunities and coaching. Choral ensemble and small group voice are included, in addition to one of the following:
- Musical Creativity through Improvisational Play
- Musical Making
- Film Music History
- Sight Singing Strategies
Modern expressions
For all students interested in music and media production, writing your own music, lyrics and songs, contemporary music, music business, dj, beat making, score creation, and hip hop performance. Students will also choose one of the following electives:
- Film Music History
- Music Business/DJ*
- Sound Design for Content Creation
Orchestra
Small and large group instruction for string instruments, including creative and singing opportunities. Orchestra students choose one of the following electives:
- Choir for Instrumentalists*
- Film Music History
- Musical Creativity through Improvisational Play
- Musical Making
Explore courses on your path:
All paths
All
Arts in Performance
All students gather daily for inspiring and growth filled guest performances exploring and learning about different arts in our communities.
Musical Creativity through Improvisational Play
In this class students will explore the meaning of improvisational play. You’ll broaden your understanding of improvisation and music-making through experiential learning in an affirming environment.
(open to all paths EXCEPT Modern Expressions).
Musical Making
You’ll work on being a musical maker and explore maker culture as you design, code, hack and build new music controllers and instruments. Maker culture is a do-it-yourself and community-embedded movement that focuses on learning-through-doing in order to create, iterate and tinker with ideas and objects. You’ll make musical controllers and instruments out of reclaimed and recycled components, design and code controllers for yourself and others to make music, and work with others to be creators, learners and teachers with your peers.
Film Music History
Have you ever wondered why film music sounds the way it does or why it is so vital to movies? In this course, we’ll explore the origins of film music, tracing its evolution over the past century. From the silent film era to the golden age and the jazz era, we’ll examine the key shifts that have shaped cinematic scores. We’ll also explore the transition from the grand, orchestral styles of John Williams to the modern, innovative sounds of Hans Zimmer.
Band
Band
Band*
Be a part of a wind band ensemble! A diverse, challenging, and varied repertoire is a focus of this course. Explore the student choice audition process to select the path that is best for you. Music is taught through a variety of methods including reading notation, learning by rote or ear, and an individualized and large ensemble approach.
Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Percussion and others
Band Brass and Percussion Sectional
Students gather in rehearsal with their band brass and percussion sections to learn and rehearse band repertoire in deeper detail together.
Band Woodwinds Sectional
Students gather in rehearsal with their woodwind sections to learn and rehearse band repertoire in deeper detail together.
Choir for Instrumentalists
Sing in a choir as part of your daily schedule and gain the benefits that singing can provide for you as an instrumentalists.
Instrument Small Group Instruction
Students work in a small group instruction or masterclass setting to learn techniques, repertoire, and all they can about their specific instrument.
Choir
Choir
Choir*
Be a part of a choral ensemble! A diverse, challenging, and varied repertoire is a focus of this course. Explore the student choice audition process to select the path that is best for you. Music is taught through a variety of methods including reading notation, learning by rote or ear, and an individualized and large ensemble approach.
All voice parts
Choir Sectional
Students gather in rehearsal with their choir sections to learn and rehearse choir repertoire in deeper detail together.
Choir for Instrumentalists
Sing in a choir as part of your daily schedule and gain the benefits that singing can provide for you as an instrumentalists.
Sight Singing Strategies
Work on your ability to read music quickly and easily! Practice sight singing approaches designed to help vocalists gain facility with standard rhythmic patterns and interval recognition.
Vocal Coaching*
This class is focused on you, the individual, to work on a song of your choice (pop, classical, and more) with a supportive atmosphere to help you craft your song and performance. Learn helpful techniques to bring into your daily practice with a focus on vocal health. Students are asked to bring music with them to class.
Voice Small Group Instruction
Students work in a small group instruction or masterclass setting to learn techniques, repertoire, vocal health, and all they can about their voice!
Guitar
Guitar
Choir for Instrumentalists*
Sing in a choir as part of your daily schedule and gain the benefits that singing can provide for you as an instrumentalist.
Guitar Ensemble*
Be a part of a guitar ensemble! A diverse, challenging, and varied repertoire is a focus of this course exploring music that is specifically written for this ensemble. Music is taught through a variety of methods including reading notation, learning by rote or ear, and an individualized and large ensemble approach.
Guitar Group Technique and Practice
Students work in a small group instruction setting to learn techniques, repertoire, and all they can about their specific instrument!
Guitar Listening
As musicians, listening is a crucial part of our training and development. This workshop focuses on the practice of listening with an emphasis on listening across a variety of artists and genres. Spend time listening to tracks of historical and cultural significance, with the goal of students developing a listening list by the end, with names of artists, record labels, and genres they can explore in the future.
Guitar Performance
Students learn from a teacher specializing in either Classical, Electric, or Acoustic guitar and explore a combination of listening and playing exercises to grow their knowledge, technique, and musicianship.
Modern expressions
Modern
Let’s Create!*
Songwriter/Hip Hop Performance
You’ve sung and listened to so many songs, but have you tried writing your own? Whether you’ve composed before or not, this class will help you craft lyrics, melodies, beats, presentations, and give life to that song inside you. Tell your story! Learn to record your song!
Multimedia Class
Beat Making/ Score Creation/Track Collaboration
This class focuses on telling stories without saying a word. This session revolves around making contemporary musical compositions and the different ways that it happens. Become your own activist!
Music Business and DJ*
Limited enrollment (12)
Learn both mixing and basic turntablism— all using professional, industry standard equipment. This course bridges traditional music theory with the latest DJ technology and techniques. Featured instructor is touring DJ Pacal ‘DJ Pain 1’ Bayley. Learn how DJ skills relate to music business skills.
Sound Design for Content Creation
Use music and sound to tell a story! In this class, students are given a choice of a short animated film that they’d like to craft a soundscape for. Over the week, we’ll record unique sound effects, create musical scores, and edit it all together to bring these short stories to life!
Music exploration
Music
Choir for Instrumentalists*
Sing in a choir as part of your daily schedule and gain the benefits that singing can provide for you as an instrumentalist.
Listening to and Talking about Music
Limited enrollment (18)
This workshop focuses on developing listening skills and one’s capacity to discuss different dimensions of music. Each day, we will listen to music from different cultural contexts and as identified by students. We’ll talk about each piece, contextualize them in their cultural contexts, and share our perspectives on each piece.
Instrument Exploration
Choose from percussion or piano/singing to explore a music path for you! Learn the basics of an instrument or your voice and explore what interests you so that you can continue on your own at home! Instruments are provided for this class.
Ukulele Jam*
Learn numerous chords, strum patterns, and riffs on ukulele so you can accompany yourself and others on songs you know, love, and create. You’ll learn through playing and creating songs in a non-formal context. We will host a ukulele jam session at the end of the class so we can teach, lead, and make music with friends, family, and community members.
Musical Concepts and Ideas
Explore two of the most important foundations of music: melody and rhythm. Learn to hear and imitate melodies and rhythms, create your own melodies and rhythms, and explore common ways to notate your music so others can play it too. Develop new skills to explore how music is created and how music can tell a story.
Orchestra
Orchestra
Choir for Instrumentalists*
Sing in a choir as part of your daily schedule and gain the benefits that singing can provide for you as an instrumentalist.
Instrument Small Group Instruction (Strings)
Students work in a small group instruction or masterclass setting to learn techniques, repertoire, and all they can about their specific instrument.
Orchestra*
Be a part of a string orchestra ensemble! A diverse, challenging, and varied repertoire is a focus of this course. Explore the student choice audition process to select the path that is best for you. Music is taught through a variety of methods including reading notation, learning by rote or ear, and an individualized and large ensemble approach.
Instruments: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Other
Orchestra Sectional
Students gather in rehearsal with their orchestra sections to learn and rehearse orchestra repertoire in deeper detail together.
Piano
Piano
Choir for Instrumentalists*
Sing in a choir as part of your daily schedule and gain the benefits that singing can provide for you as an instrumentalist.
Piano Ensemble*
Limited enrollment (18)
Be a part of a piano ensemble! A diverse, challenging, and varied repertoire is a focus of this course exploring music that is specifically written for this ensemble. Music is taught through a variety of methods including reading notation, learning by rote or ear, and an individualized and large ensemble approach. Instruments are provided for this course.
Piano Group Technique and Practice
Limited enrollment (18)
Students work in a small group instruction setting to learn techniques, repertoire, and all they can about their instrument! Instruments are provided for this course.
Piano Listening
Limited enrollment (18)
As musicians, listening is a crucial part of our training and development. This workshop will focus on the practice of listening with an emphasis on listening across a variety of artists and genres. We will spend time listening to tracks of historical and cultural significance. Our goal is for students to develop a listening list by the end of the workshop, with names of artists, record labels, and genres they can explore in the future.
Piano Performance
Limited enrollment (18)
Students learn from a teacher specializing in multiple piano genres and explore a combination of listening and playing exercises to grow their knowledge, technique, and musicianship. Instruments are provided for this course.
Electives
All students get to choose one period C elective from the following courses:
- Acting for Musicians*
- Becoming an Octopus
- Beginning Jazz Styles
- Body Awareness
- Dance for Musicians*
- Drumline*
- Fiddle Band*
- Gospel Choir*
- Jazz Ensemble*
- Learn to DJ*
- Music Theory
- Musical Theatre*
- Spoken Word/Rap*
- Visual Music
- Vocal Coaching*
All of the art forms are connected to one another, and we become richer and more authentic musicians when we experience different art forms. Learn about acting through physical movement, character representation and interpretation, and more, as it relates to your skills as a musician.
Limited enrollment (12)
Using the influence of the two drummers for the band Dream Theater, Mike Portnoy and Mike Mangini, we will look into how to unlock the creative potential of the drum kit. Utilizing 4-way independence, we will gain a deeper understanding of how to build musical tension both by the different kinds of patterns we can play, and how to use the sounds on the drum kit to create tension and release. By understanding how to use all 4 limbs to play around the kit, we can have more control over the type and amount of tension we create, and then have more control over the type and amount of release we allow.
Limited enrollment (18)
Never played jazz before but interested? This course is for you! Come learn the basics of playing jazz rhythms and notes to help prepare you for playing in a jazz ensemble or jazz combo! All instruments welcome.
Limited enrollment (18)
Somatic Body Awareness is a practice and exploration of connecting the physical and mental body. The incorporation of neurological science, physical movement, and other interdisciplinary techniques create an understanding of one’s body.
Through breathwork, mindfulness exercises, and movement, participants will explore techniques to enhance posture, reduce physical tension, and clear the mind. Drawing from somatic practices such as Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais Method, and yoga, the course aims to create embodiment, improve stage presence, and deepen a musician’s mind and body awareness.
All of the art forms are connected to one another, and we become richer and more authentic musicians when we experience different art forms. Learn about dance through physical movement, character representation and interpretation, and more, as it relates to your skills as a musician.. A variety of dance styles will be explored in this course including Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, and Afro styles.
Be part of a drumline! All experience levels welcome. Be a part of a traditional marching drumline ensemble. Focus will be on strong percussion technique and presentation. Instruments are provided for this course.
Explore the world of traditional fiddling! Music is taught by rote or ear primarily in this ensemble. If this is your best way of learning music this ensemble is for you! If you are working to build on this listening skill this ensemble is also for you! Learn skills like improvisation, reading chord charts, tablature, and writing and arranging for different string instruments.
Be part of a Gospel/Praise Choir! This music originated in the evangelical churches of black populations in the southern United States. Containing elements of jazz and blues, it often takes the form of a call and response between the preacher, who sings or declares a line, and the congregation, which sings an affirmative reply.
Be a part of a jazz ensemble! A diverse, challenging, somewhat improvisatory, and varied repertoire is a focus of this course. Explore the student choice audition process to select the path that is best for you. Music is taught through a variety of methods including reading notation, learning by rote or ear, and an individualized and large ensemble approach.
Instruments: Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Guitar, Bass, Piano, Drums, Vibraphone
Do not register for this if you are in the Modern Expressions path. This course is built into the path.
Learn both mixing and basic turntablism— all using professional, industry standard equipment. This course bridges traditional music theory with the latest DJ technology and techniques. Featured instructor is touring DJ Pacal ‘DJ Pain 1’ Bayley.
The Harmonic Styles of the 18th Century European Musicians – This course focuses on the harmonic style of 18th century European musicians or traditional western music theory. To understand western music theory is to understand the building blocks of western tradition music you play and sing. This class will cover the fundamentals you need to know to support your development as a musician. Review major, minor, diminished, and dominant-seventh chords; clefs, notation, scale degrees, and musical rhythms and patterns.
Be a part of a musical theatre ensemble! A diverse, challenging, and varied repertoire is a focus of this course. Music is chosen from the musical/Broadway genre to create a storied performance. Explore the student choice audition process to select the path that is best for you. Music is taught through a variety of methods including reading notation, learning by rote or ear, and an individualized and large ensemble approach.
Spoken word can be powerful, fun, express identity, evoke emotion, and just sound good. This program teaches participants how to tap into that internal voice or provides a good opportunity to practice one’s poetic skill set. In this season we will write, share, revise, and discuss. This is not a course on the history or theoretical underpinnings of spoken word but a practical class where we will learn strategies to write and deliver spoken word poetry that feels most expressive of your inner thoughts and desires.
This class will be an exploration of how visual art can represent musical sound and how musical sound can represent what we see. Exploring other art forms makes our music-making richer! Students will experience multiple examples of visual art that represent musical sounds and study music that represents visual art. Students will also have the opportunity to create their own art and/or music as part of this course.
This class is focused on you, the individual, to work on a song of your choice (pop, classical, and more) with a supportive atmosphere to help you craft your song and performance. Learn helpful techniques to bring into your daily practice with a focus on vocal health. Students are asked to bring music with them to this class.
(*)=includes a final performance or presentation on the evening of Friday, June 27, or Saturday morning/afternoon, June 28, 2025.