UNIVERSITY of WISCONSIN-MADISON

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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

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

$75 nonrefundable processing fee.

A $75 nonrefundable deposit will be paid at the time of registration. 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.

Summer Music Clinic works in partnership with the UW–Madison Mead Witter School of Music

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

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.

Placement conversation

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

Placement audition

  • 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, in addition to sight-reading and scales upon request.
  • Auditions are 3-5 minutes in length and times are assigned at SMC registration upon the start of the program.

Community activities

Students will take part in Summer Music Clinic traditions, meet their residential counselors, arts and crafts, sporting activities, games, community 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.

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 automatically built based on the path you choose and includes general courses that all SMC students participate in together.

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
  • Musical Making
Band

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
  • Musical Creativity through Improvisational Play
  • Musical Making
Guitar

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
  • Musical Making
Music exploration

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
  • Musical Making
Piano

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
  • Sight Singing Strategies
Choir/Voice

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
  • Sound Design for Content Creation
Modern expressions

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
  • Musical Making
Orchestra

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

Explore courses on your path:

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.

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.

Wellness for Musicians

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!

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*

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.

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

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

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!

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

Find Your Story, Write Your Song

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.

Instrument Exploration

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.

Ukulele Jam

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.


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

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 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

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

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

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.

Electives

All students get to choose one 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
  • Music Theory
  • Musical Theatre*
  • Spoken Word/Rap*
  • Visual Music

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.

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.

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. 

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

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.

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.

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.

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


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