June 20–25, 2022
Junior Session is for students completing grades 6-8.
Helpful Guide on How to Register/Apply
EXTENDED! Registration is open through May 15, 2022
Tuition rates
Junior session:
Residential: $900
Commuter: $650
International: $1,100
A $50 nonrefundable processing fee is calculated in addition to the tuition.
All tuition payments are due on May 16, 2022 via the payment portal in our online registration system. If you plan to apply for a scholarship, are expecting a scholarship from your school or a local community organization or would like to apply for a DPI scholarship, please contact smc@wisc.edu or 608-263-2242 for more information before registering.
About Junior Session
Junior session offers an opportunity for students in 6th-8th grade to come and play, sing, create, and learn about music at all experience levels. Students will choose one of four paths based on what they create, sing, or play and then 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 and learning of technique combined with student creativity and choice.
SMC values the music standards of Create, Perform, Respond and Connect. During your time at SMC, you will experience the music of the world and your community through listening, participating and creating. You will 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. In addition, you will meet a community of like-minded peers with multiple and diverse artistic voices and interests and work creatively together.
Choose your Summer Music Clinic Path:
- Band– small and large group instruction for wind instruments and percussion, with rhythm and singing opportunities.
- Choir–small and large group instruction in voice with additional diverse learning opportunities and coaching.
- Modern Expressions–for all students interested in voice, piano, guitar, ukulele, music production, writing your own music, lyrics and songs, contemporary music, and hip hop performance.
- Orchestra–small and large group instruction for string instruments, including rhythm and singing opportunities.
Ensemble placements
There are no ensemble placement auditions. All students completing sixth grade will be in their own grade level ensemble. Students completing seventh or eighth grade will be evenly divided into two ensembles. Part assignments where needed will be made through first instrument and voice sectional classes to ensure variety and individual student and ensemble success.
Student Recital
All SMC Students are welcome to express interest for and audition for the student recital when they arrive on campus
See Courses and Descriptions Below!
Summer Music Clinic
Summer Music Clinic works in partnership with the UW–Madison Mead Witter School of Music
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
Learn more below! Each class is connected to the student chosen path (Band, Choir, Modern Expressions, or Orchestra) or indicates if it is during the elective hour.
*-indicates a final performance/presentation is included with the course experience! These will be the morning of Saturday, June 25, 2022.
Explore the four possible student schedules for additional details:
Band Path
Choir Path
Modern Expressions Path
Orchestra Path
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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.
Instruments: 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/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 in coordination with Barrio Dance Studio! 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.
Explore an Instrument - MODERN EXPRESSIONS PATH
Explore beginning guitar, beginning piano, ukulele, drums and more
Explore your Voice - MODERN EXPRESSIONS PATH
Explore a variety of styles of singing with your voice
Fiddle Band High Strings* (Violin only) - 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.
Fiddle Band Low Strings* (Viola, Cello, Double Bass) - 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.
Global Drumming* - BAND/ORCHESTRA/CHOIR PATH
Explore an array of drumming styles from around the World in a drum ensemble format! West African, Brazilian, Middle Eastern and Pan-Global styles will be our focus related to each instructor’s area of expertise. Come play and learn!
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
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, Clarinets, Double Reeds, Saxophones, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Piano, Guitar, Bass, 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 - 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
Orchestra* - ORCHESTRA PATH
Be a part of a full 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, Piano, Harp, Other
Orchestra Sectional - ORCHESTRA PATH
Students gather in rehearsal with their orchestra sections to learn and rehearse orchestra repertoire in deeper detail together.
Songwriting/Hip Hop Performance* - MODERN EXPRESSIONS PATH and ELECTIVE
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* - 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!