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SMC Junior students playing brass instrumentsSMC Junior students playing brass instruments

Junior Session (Grades 6‑8)

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. Choral ensembles and individual solo voice are included.
  • Guitar–small and large group instruction for guitarists in multiple styles with ensemble playing.
  • Modern Expressions–for all students interested in music and media production, writing your own music, lyrics and songs, contemporary music, beat making, score creation, and hip hop performance.
  • Music Exploration (NEW in 2024!)-for the beginning musician looking to explore and learn basic music skills for the first time. Course options allow students to learn what they are interested in exploring more in the future.
  • Orchestra–small and large group instruction for string instruments, including rhythm and singing opportunities.
  • Piano–small and large group instruction for pianists in multiple styles with ensemble playing.

 

Ensemble placements

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. Students will be organized by part based on audition results on the first day of camp. Each ensemble will provide an equally challenging and rewarding experience combined with meeting the needs of each student.

The placement audition will be a performance based experience. Students are asked to prepare a short solo or excerpt and prepare a provided excerpt. There will also be sight-reading and scales asked for. Auditions are 3-5 minutes in length and times are assigned at SMC registration upon the start of the program.

The placement conversation will be a non-performance based experience. Students will be asked to provide answers about their experience, skill level, and goals for their SMC experience.

Student Recital

All SMC Students are welcome to express interest for and audition for the student recital when they arrive on campus

 

"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

Sample Daily Schedule

7:00 a.m. Breakfast
7:30 a.m. Daily 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. Daily Commuter students depart
4:30–7:00 p.m. Residential Students start Community Activities, Campus Experiences, Practice Time, Dinner, and Floor Meetings
8:00 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, arts and crafts, sporting activities, games, commuty celebrations, 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.

Student Testimonial

“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

“I loved all the counselors!!! They made me feel so welcome! All my teachers and conductors! You all made a huge impact in my life and I am so happy that I did this a second year! I wish this camp would never stop and it would go forever! I will be returning next year! I love playing and talking about music with people who love music! You all made such a huge impact in my life! Thank you so very much!”

– SMC Student 2023

Course Offereings

Choose your Summer Music Clinic path: Choose one of the following seven path options. The majority of your schedule is automatically built based on the path you choose.

Path Options:

  • 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, Musical Creativity through Improvisational Play, or Musical Making.
  • Choir/Voice: small and large group instruction in voice with additional diverse learning opportunities and coaching. Choral ensemble and individual solo voice are included, in addition to one of the following: Musical Creativity through Improvisational Play, Musical Making, or Sight Singing Strategies.
  • Guitar: small and large group instruction for guitarists in multiple styles with ensemble playing. Students indicate either Acoustic, Classical, or Electrical guitar, and choose one of the following electives: Choir for Instrumentalists, Musical Creativity through Improvisational Play, or Musical Making.
  • Modern Expressions: for all students interested in music and media production, writing your own music, lyrics and songs, contemporary music, beat making, score creation, and hip hop performance. Students will indicate their voice part or chosen instrument and choose one of the following electives: Musical Creativity through Improvisational Play, Musical Making, or Sound Design for Content Creation.
  • Music Exploration: for students looking to have their first experience in music or who have little music experience. 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: Musical Creativity through Improvisational Play or Musical Making.
  • 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, Musical Creativity through Improvisational Play, or Musical Making.
  • Piano: small and large group instruction for pianists in multiple styles with ensemble playing. Piano path has a limited enrollment of 12 students. Students will choose one of the following electives: Choir for Instrumentalists, Musical Creativity through Improvisational Play, or Musical Making.

ALL students choose one elective for the Period C Elective from the following courses: Acting for Musicians, Beginning Jazz Styles, Dance for Musicians, Drumline, Fiddle Band, Gospel Choir, Jazz Ensemble, Learn to DJ, Melody and Freedom in Songwriting, Musical Theatre, Music Theory–the Harmonic Style of 18th Century European Musicians, Spoken Word/Rap, Visual Music, or Vocal Coaching.

(*)=includes a final performance or presentation on Friday, June 21, or Saturday, June 22, 2024

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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.

Beginning Jazz Styles - ELECTIVE

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.

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.

Find Your Story, Write Your Song - MUSIC EXPLORATION PATH

Following in the footsteps of the timeless troubadours of song, we’ll build songs that tell stories by visiting memories of the past, the 5 senses, and more.

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.

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 - 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.

Instrument Exploration - MUSIC EXPLORATION PATH

Choose from guitar, percussion, piano, or singing to explore a music path for you! Learn the basics of each instrument or your voice to be able to take your skill home with you and continue! Instruments are provided for this class.

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

Learn to DJ* - ELECTIVE (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.

Let's Create! (Songwriter/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!

Melody and Freedom in Songwriting - ELECTIVE

In this songwriting workshop, we’ll write the hits of the future by focusing on sound, rhythm, and melody as the building blocks for a great song

Melody and Rhythm - MUSIC EXPLORATION PATH

Learn the basics of music from hearing and repeating a melody, to basic reading skills, to feeling and repeating a rhythm to making your own! This class will let you explore musical skills within you to take home and continue to grow!

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 Creativity through Improvisational Play - ALL PATHS (Limited Enrollment, 40 per section)

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.

Musical Making - ALL PATHS (Limited Enrollment, 15 per section)

In this workshop class, 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 an 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 use to make music, and work with others to be a creator, learners, and teacher with your peers.

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 - 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.

Sight Singing Strategies - CHOIR PATH

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.

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.  

Sound Design for Content Creation - MODERN EXPRESSIONS PATH

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!

Ukulele Jam - MUSICAL EXPLORATION PATH (Limited Enrollment, 30)

In this workshop class, you’ll 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 fun and non-formal context. We will even 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 as we show off what we have learned and made together.

Visual Music - ELECTIVE (Limited Enrollment, 30)

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.

Vocal Coaching* - CHOIR PATH

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.

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!