KU's 2010 Midwestern Music Academy introduces new camp for younger children

KU's School of Music is ready to launch another exciting summer of musical opportunities at the 2010 Midwestern Music Academy, and this year features a new camp open to elementary students.

The KU Midwestern Music Academy camps offer instrumental, vocal and keyboard students a variety of music experiences featuring full symphony orchestras, choirs, bands, jazz ensembles and music classes. This year the program offers a new camp for younger students called The Jayhawk Junior Musicians, open to students entering grades 3-6.

Registrations for the Jayhawk Junior Musicians are now being accepted. The non-resident day camp will be led by Dr. Debra Hedden, associate professor of music education/music therapy.

"Students will engage in learning experiences in singing, reading and writing music, playing classroom instruments, building a music listening repertoire, moving to music, and creating music," according to Hedden. "The camp is designed to offer a variety of musical learning opportunities during each of the three days. We've set up the camp to augment the typical music experiences the children have in school and in private lessons." Hedden adds, "They will encounter many hands-on experiences that contribute to conceptual learning as well as enhance their physical skills in music making."

A complete schedule of the Midwestern Music Academy camps is as follows:

• Junior High Music Camp: June 13-18, Grades 6-9
• String Institute Camp: June 20-25, Grades 9-12
• Winds, Brass and Percussion Institute: June 20-25, Grades 9-12
• Choral Institute: June 20-25, Grades 9-12
• Jayhawk Junior Musicians, June 28-30, Grades 3-6
• Jazz Workshop: July 11-16, Grades 9-12

The KU Midwestern Music Academy (formerly known as the Midwestern Music Camp) was created in 1935 by former KU band director, Russell L. Wiley. Under Wiley's direction, the camp became the second largest and second oldest music camp in the U.S. The camp was often visited by some of the world's most renowned conductors and artists, such as Andre Previn, Percy Grainger, Sir Vivian Dunn and Carmen Dragon, to name a few.

For more information, please call Leslie Jabara at (785) 864-9751, or visit the Midwestern Music Academy website: musicacademy.ku.edu.