Midwestern Music Camp
A national music camp at the University of Kansas
Join us this summer on the beautiful campus of the University of Kansas and discover and develop your musical talents. Spend an inspiring week with students from across the country studying with our outstanding faculty and world renowned guest musicians. The Midwestern Music Camp is a tradition stretching back to 1936.
The Midwestern Music camps are a comprehensive summer music program for students from grades 6 through 12. Programs are designed and closely supervised by KU faculty to create an ideal environment for students to grow as musicians and leaders, interacting with the finest teachers and performing at a high level. Dr. Matthew O. Smith, associate director of bands, is the camp administrator.
The three camp offerings are:
- Middle School Music Camp (Band and Orchestra) - June 14 - 19, 2015 (grades 6 - 9)
- High School Music Camp (Band, Choir, and Orchestra) - June 21 - 26, 2015 (grades 9 - 12)
- Jazz Workshop - July 12 - 17, 2015 (grades 9 - 12)
The KU Jazz Workshop is an exciting week of instruction and performance in all aspects of jazz with special emphasis placed on small group performance. The camp is open to individuals of high school age and older.
In addition, we will offer the Jayhawk Junior Musicians Camp from June 10-12 at the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park this summer. The camp is for students entering grades 3-6. Additional information can be found via the link on the left.
Since 1936, Midwestern Music Camp has brought young musicians to the University of Kansas to study and play with our outstanding faculty and world renowned guest musicians. Students from across the United States and other nations have come together each summer to learn and perform together on one of the nation's most beautiful college campuses. To date more than 65,000 young musicians have been a part of this tradition. Many of them are now performing in major symphony orchestras, service bands, and choirs, while others teach at great schools and universities around the world.
2015 marks the 80th year of the Midwestern Music Camp. Each division of the camp offers a comprehensive musical experience, carefully planned and supervised by KU faculty to ensure that students at all levels of experience receive the quality instruction and attention that they need to improve their skills and enjoy making music. We hope you can join us this summer for an unforgettable musical experience!
Camp fees and registration information will be available in late February.
Frequently Asked Questions
For students:
WILL I NEED TO BRING MY OWN INSTRUMENT?
Only certain instruments are available for rental during the camp, and those are reserved for students who must fly to camp. All others must bring their own instrument or check out your school instrument for camp. Contact the camp office in advance if you may need an instrument. Insurance charges may be assessed on university instruments. Bows, strings, mouthpieces, reeds, and percussion mallets are not supplied.
IF I WILL BE A NINTH GRADER IN FALL 2015, WHICH CAMP SHOULD I ATTEND?
You can attend either the Middle School Camp, Jazz Workshop, or one of the High School Camps (Band, Choir, or Orchestra). In fact, you can attend any or all weeks that you would like!
WHAT DORM WILL I BE STAYING IN AND CAN I SELECT MY OWN ROOMMATE?
You will be staying in one of the dorms on the KU campus. Yes, you may select your roommate. Please indicate the name of your requested roommate on the application form. NOTE: Both students must request each other in order to be roommates!
WHAT CLASSES WILL I BE TAKING DURING THE WEEK?
Each camp has its own curriculum. In general, you will be playing music in ensembles, practicing in small sectionals (by instrument or voice part), and then taking classes in musicianship. This can include such topics as music theory, music history, ear training, and many other topics.
HOW WILL I BE PLACED IN ENSEMBLES?
Students in the Middle School Music Camp, High School Band, Choir, or Orchestra Camps, and Jazz Workshop will audition for their spaces in ensembles and combos. The audition process is part of the learning experience and important for faculty to evaluate what areas the students excel at and in which areas they could benefit from help. Each camp has a specific requirement for auditions. Audition information will be available in the camp handbooks, which will be posted the website and emailed later in the spring.
WILL THERE BE A CONCERT AT THE END OF THE WEEK?
Yes! Our end of the week concerts are free and open to the public. We encourage friends and family to attend. Please see individual camp pages for our schedule and venues.
WHAT IS CONCERT DRESS?
Specific concert dress is for the Middle School and High School Camps only. There is no prescribed concert attire for the Jazz Workshop.
For girls: White or black dress (preferably black) with dress shoes, or a white blouse with a dark skirt or slacks. Long dresses/skirts are preferred.
For Parents and Teachers:
WHAT IS APPROPRIATE DRESS FOR THE WEEK?
Students should have comfortable shoes (as they will be doing a fair amount of walking between rehearsals, meals, and the dorms). T-shirts and shorts are allowable, provided they meet school dress code standards. Please make sure your child brings appropriate clothing!
WILL MY STUDENT BE PERMITTED TO HAVE A CELL PHONE?
Students are permitted to have cell phones, however, the KU School of Music and the Midwestern Music Camp are not responsible for lost or broken items. Please note that there will be times when cell phones will be 'off' (during classes, rehearsals, and concerts). We will also provide you a 24 hour emergency number that will connect you with our Head Counselors.
HOW IS HEALTH CARE HANDLED WHILE MY CHILD IS AT CAMP?
We will be sending you forms regarding medical treatment and care. Any health problems, chronic ailments and medications will need to be reported to your Counselor at check in. Campers needing non-emergency medical attention are taken to Watkins Health Center. Watkins Health Center is on campus and open 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Students requiring emergency medical attention will be taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital. All charges for medical services are the responsibility of the camper and their parent/guardian.
