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Junior Session (Grades 6‑8)

Sample Daily Schedule

7:00 a.m. Breakfast
7:30 a.m. Commuter students arrive
8:00 a.m.–12:05 p.m. Morning classes and All Camp Wellness begins with first period – start your day off well!
12:15–1:10 p.m. Lunch and community activities
1:20–4:20 p.m. Afternoon classes
4:30 p.m. Commuter students depart
4:30–7:00 p.m. Community Activities, Campus Experiences, Practice Time, Dinner, and Floor Meetings
7:00 p.m. Evening concert experience and coordinated activities with Counseling Staff
10:00 p.m. Lights out to rest for the next day!

Community Activities

Students will take part in Summer Music Clinic traditions, meet their residential counselors and connect with peers from across the country and world.

Guest Performers

All students will have the opportunity to listen to and experience a diverse population of local musicians who have honed their craft and excel in their field.

Course Offerings

See below for 2023 Course Offerings.

Each class is connected to the student chosen path (Band, Choir, Guitar, Modern Expressions, Piano, or Orchestra) or indicates if it is during the elective hour.

Explore each path:

Band Path

Orchestra Path

Choir/Voice Path

Piano Path

Modern Expressions

Guitar Path

*-indicates a final performance/presentation is included with the course experience! These will be held the morning of the final Saturday of the program.

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Acting for Musicians* - ELECTIVE

All of the arts are connected to one another. When we learn about physical movement, character representation and interpretation through acting on the stage, and more through a different art form we become richer and more authentic musicians. Learn about and actively participate in acting as it relates to your skills as a musician.

Arts in Performance - ALL STUDENTS

All SMC students gather daily for inspiring and growth filled guest performances exploring and learning about different arts in our communities.

Band* - BAND PATH

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, Other

Band Brass and Percussion Sectional - BAND PATH

Students gather in rehearsal with their band brass and percussion sections to learn and rehearse band repertoire in deeper detail together. 

Band Woodwinds Sectional - BAND PATH

Students gather in rehearsal with their woodwind sections to learn and rehearse band repertoire in deeper detail together.

Choir* - CHOIR PATH

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 for Instrumentalists* - BAND/GUITAR/PIANO/ORCHESTRA PATH

Sing in a choir as part of your daily schedule and gain the benefits that singing can provide for you as an instrumentalist.

Choir Sectional - CHOIR PATH

Students gather in rehearsal with their choir sections to learn and rehearse choir repertoire in deeper detail together.

Dance for Musicians* - ELECTIVE

All of the arts are connected to one another. When we learn about physical movement, rhythm, style, and more through a different art form we become richer and more authentic musicians. Learn about and actively participate in dance 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.  

Drumline* - ELECTIVE

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.

Fiddle Band* - ELECTIVE

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.

Gospel Choir* - ELECTIVE

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.

All voice parts

Guitar Ensemble* - GUITAR PATH

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 - GUITAR PATH

Students work in a small group instruction setting to learn techniques, repertoire, and all they can about their specific instrument!

Guitar Listening and Growing - GUITAR PATH

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.

Guitar Performance Class - GUITAR PATH

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.

Individual Voice Sectional - CHOIR PATH

Students work in a small group instruction or masterclass setting to learn techniques, repertoire, vocal health, and all they can about their voice.

Instrument Small Group Instruction (Strings) - ORCHESTRA PATH

Students work in a small group instruction or masterclass setting to learn techniques, repertoire, and all they can about their specific instrument.

Instrument Small Group Instruction (Winds and Percussion) - BAND PATH

Students work in a small group instruction or masterclass setting to learn techniques, repertoire, and all they can about their specific instrument.

Jazz Ensemble* - ELECTIVE

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

Media Production - MODERN EXPRESSIONS PATH

The Modern Expressions Path allows space for participants to share their stories, in their own ways. Media Production focuses on sharing the story in non-traditional formats, from music video shorts to video collage, students combine their musical knowledge with design elements to create their own unique and personal media presentations.

Multimedia Class (Beat Making/Score Creation/Track Collaboration) - MODERN EXPRESSIONS PATH

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 Theory: The Harmonic Styles of the 18th Century European Musicians - ELECTIVE

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.

Musical Theatre* - ELECTIVE

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. 

All voice parts

Musical Creativity through Improvisational Play - ALL PATHS

In this class students will explore the meaning of improvisational play. They will broaden their understanding of improvisation and music-making through experiential learning in an affirming environment.

Musical Theatre* - ELECTIVE

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.

Orchestra* - ORCHESTRA PATH

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 - ORCHESTRA PATH

Students gather in rehearsal with their orchestra sections to learn and rehearse orchestra repertoire in deeper detail together.

Piano Ensemble* - PIANO PATH (Limited Enrollment of 12)

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 - PIANO PATH (Limited enrollment of 12)

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 and Growing - PIANO PATH (Limited enrollment of 12)

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 Class - PIANO PATH (Limited Enrollment of 12)

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.

Let's Create: Songwriting/Hip Hop Performance* - MODERN EXPRESSIONS PATH

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!

Spoken Word/Rap* - ELECTIVE

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.  

Vocal Coaching: Arias to Ariana* - CHOIR PATH

Whether you are preparing to belt your favorite pop song or floating up to perfect high notes in your aria, Arias to Ariana is for you. No matter your style, this class will help you learn helpful vocal and audition techniques to bring into your daily practice as well as help you understand what harmful habits to avoid to keep your voice developing properly for years to come.

Voice Small Group Instruction - CHOIR PATH

Students work in a small group instruction or masterclass setting to learn techniques, repertoire, vocal health, and all they can about their voice!

Wellness for Musicians - Everyone at SMC participates!

You will get to start each day focused on your breathing, your body, and preparing mentally and physically for a day of music making and the arts together. Learn how mindfulness and movement practices positively impact your music-making. This class promises to be a fun and exciting way to start off your day together well!

West African Drumming* - CHOIR PATH (Enrollment limited to 20)

This class will be a drumming, cultural, and dance experience exploring African cultural traditions through West African Traditional Drum and Dance. Students will use traditional instruments and techniques including djembe and dundun from old Mali and Guinea. This style of drumming is accessible to all, no previous drumming experience required. Instruments are provided for this course.