Opportunities in Boston
for Young Musicians
Students who do well in private lessons
often move ahead of their peers and need a more challenging atmosphere
in order to thrive. There are several excellent opportunities as detailed
below. This being said, I feel it is very important to stay in the school
music program as well. Even if you are one of the strongest players, you
can still learn a lot from playing in the school band and receiving the
support of your teachers and peers. Support music in our schools with
your presence. Brass players also benefit from frequent playing to keep
the lips strong and learn leadership skills from remaining in the band.
Special Opportunity
Harvard University Trombone Day
Saturday, October 7, 2006
An enjoyable an educational mix of masterclasses, trombone choir participation, and you get to attend and perform in a Harvard Football game for free. Geared especially for amateur trombonists and high school students. Info
New England Conservatory
of Music, Preparatory Division
(617) 585-1130
Offers excellent wind ensemble programs
including:
1) Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble
(MYWE) for grades 10 - 12, and Jr. MYWE for grades 7 - 9. Rehearses
late Friday afternoons. Both are excellent groups.
2) Brass Ensembles. Students audition
at the start of the school year to be placed in compatable groups. Playing
in a brass ensemble is a great morale builder, and students learn chamber
music skills such as intonation, ensemble blend, and phrasing. In the
small group situation, each player gets lots of feedback from the instructor
and other students.
3) Orchestras include the NEC Youth Philharmonic,
Symphony, and Repertory Orchestras. Brass players in an orchestra play
less, and count a lot of rests, but the parts you do play are fantastic.
In the orchestra, brass parts are generally not doubled, so each player
has a unique and important part. The orchestras tend to attract the
most advanced and experienced players, and it is more competitive to
earn a spot. For the top two orchestras, trombonists should know tenor
and alto clefs, and trumpeters should read C trumpet, and other transposed
parts.
The benefits in taking part are immense
and many students thrive here as they are surrounded by talented and
enthousiastic peers and instructors. The financial and time commitments
are substantial, but I strongly recommend that any of my students who
are doing well in lessons call for a brochure. Auditions for large ensembles
are held in the Spring, with additional auditions in the fall for any
spots left unfilled.
Greater
Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra (617) 353-3348
- Also has an excellent orchestra program, meeting on Sundays
Rivers
Music School
- Has good classes and programs
including:
- Chamber Music Program - scholarship brass
ensemble (trumpet, trombone, french horn and tuba) and scholarship
woodwind quintet (french horn).
- Jazz Program - bands and small combos
- Community Orchestra-standard
orchestral brass component
- Groups forming now and throughout the fall.
Contact the Music School at 781-235-6840 for additional information
and to set up an evaluation.
Junior and Senior District Festivals and All-State
- Junior District is for strong Intermediate level players grades
6-9. Auditions are held in December. Those who make it participate
in the Festival over a weekend later in the school year.
- Senior District audtions are held in November for Advanced
players grades 9-12. The top players from the district are invited
to Audition in January for the All-State Festival.
For dates and audition information:
Summer
Music Camps
Summer music camps are
the ideal way to deepen your involvement in music. Below is information
on a variety of camps I would recommend. They include day programs,
two-week camps, and longer camps. Many find that after a summer at music
camp, they have improved a whole year's worth, besides having a great
time and making great friends!
- Luzerne
Music Center: I have just recently heard of this music camp, and
it looks extremely good on paper!
- University
of New Hampshire SYMS: Short session, excellent faculty.
Highly recommended for High School and Middle School players just starting
to get serious about music. Phone 1-800-313-5327 for more info.
- Boston
University Tanglewood Institute: Very high quality program in the
Berkshires including sessions for individual instruments, Wind Ensemble
or Orchestra programs are available. The two week Trombone
Workshop with Scott Hartman should be superb.
- Interlochen
Arts Camp: In my opinion, the ultimate
music camp! You can find alumni in just about every major orchestra
and music school.
- New
England Music Camp: A good camp experience with
strong musical instruction.
- Camp
Encore/Coda: Good musical instruction.
Emphasis seems to be on providing a fabulous "camp" experience.
- South
Shore Conservatory Summer Music Festival: Middle School and High
School levels. Good day only program in Hingham. Phone 781-749-7565
- Hartwick
College Summer Music Festival & Institute: Impressive list
of world class faculty.
- Bar
Harbor Brass Week: looks like an amazingly good program. It got
a glowing review in the Spring 03 International Trombone Journal. This
small program will likely be very competitive to gain admission. 2004
Festival is August 15-21st.
- Kinhaven
Music School.
I received a tip on this camp from the parent of a high school student
who had a wonderful time in this all classical program in Vermont.
He did two concerts a week during the six week session including orchestra,
brass, and wind ensemble programs. He found the level of the other
players and instruction to be challenging and stimulating, and inspiring.
There is also a shorter Junior session.
- Signature
Music Camp, In Ithaca New York - on the campus of a strong music
school - looks like a very nice, supportive environment, especially
for younger players, with a one week Youth Camp for ages 11-13 and
a two week Teen Camp for ages 14-16.
- Eastern
U.S. Music Camp has a strong reputation.
- Brass quintets including Atlantic
Brass and Epic
Brass offer brass ensemble seminars, which should be very valuable.
- Music
Institute at Rhode Island College. One week camp at an attractive
rate. For wind and percussion entering 9th through graduating seniors.
- BSO Days in the Arts (DARTS).
One week camp of arts immersion at Tanglewood in the Berkshires for
5th, 6th, and 7th graders.
- Skidmore Jazz Institute. Very well regarded two week program for high school and adult students who are serious about improving their jazz skills. Big time faculty!
- Mason Dixon Jazz Camp. This one week camp in Gettysburg, PA is a great place for students age 14-18 to nurture a growing interest in jazz. Very reasonable tuition and board.
- More
camps are listed on Diane Muffit's webpage for the Wayland schools
music program.
Music
Scholarships
- The Harvard
Musical Association awards several scholarships, up to $2,000 to
Grade 9-12 students who play classical music. Apply in March.
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