Exceptional music training for ages 7 months to adult
“The Brass Intensive and the faculty’s influence made me realize that is actually what I want to do with my life. It was probably the experience that developed me more as a player than ever before in my life. Over those two weeks my sound completely changed. ” Suzy Belik – French Horn, 2022 Summer Brass Intensive
In June and July 2023, the Colburn School is excited to offer eleven different summer music camps, intensives, and programs for young musicians aged 7–months to adult.
Our music programs are led by Colburn’s esteemed faculty and renowned guest artists, offering both existing and new students the chance to enhance their skills by studying with some of the top instructors in their fields. Students also have an excellent opportunity to build relationships with like-minded young musicians.
Our Brass Intensive, Piano Camp Intensive, Jazz Camp, Chamber Music Intensive, Piano Seminar, Music Theory Intensive, Saxophone Intensive, Jazz Camp and Sounding Point Academy all return this summer.
This summer we are also offering programs for our youngest students through our Early Childhood Summer Samplers. Children from 7 months to 6 years can discover the joys of music and the performing arts through weekly classes, which offer an ideal opportunity to sample the program before the start of the Fall semester.
We will also continue to offer private instruction over the Summer period for new and continuing students. If you have ever wanted to learn to play an instrument, or if you’re an experience musician looking to refine your skills, our faculty use their expertise to help students of all ages and ability levels develop their musicianship, technique, and confidence. We offer private instruction for beginners to advanced students in bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute and piccolo, guitar, harp, horn, oboe, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, and voice. If you are interested in private instruction, please submit an inquiry form.
Explore our summer music camps below!
The Colburn Summer Chamber Music Intensive provides focused ensemble playing for the serious chamber music student. Students will be grouped into a trio, quartet, or quintet and learn an entire work during their time together. Along with rehearsals, students will participate in stage presence activities, team building, master classes, and other group-building activities. Coaches from the Ed and Mari Edelman Chamber Music Institute will provide instruction, along with other chamber music professionals.
Schedule
July 2-8 (July 2nd – afternoon only; July 4th – morning only) July 10-15 (no half days) 10:30 am-4:30 pm
Age Range
13-18 years old
Audition Requirements
Students who were not in the 2022-23 Ed and Mari Edelman Chamber Music Institute must submit the following:
A good quality audition video of two contrasting works showing both technical and lyrical ability
A current teacher recommendation
An application form
Current Colburn chamber music students do not need to submit the video, but the application form is still required.
Student Requirements
Students can choose to apply for Week 1 (July 2-8), Week 2 (July 10-15), or the whole 2-week program. Students will need to have an upper intermediate level of playing. Prior chamber music experience is recommended, but not required. The program is open to string instruments (violin, viola, cello, and double bass) and piano. Non-Colburn students are welcome and encouraged to apply. Pre-formed groups are welcome to apply and will be kept together. Continuing Colburn Community School students are eligible for an automatic discount.
Tuition and Fees
Nonrefundable application fee: $25 (applied towards the registration fees if accepted)
Commuter/non-residential fee for 1-week program (Week 1 or Week 2): $1,295
Commuter/non-residential fee for 2-week program (both Week 1 and Week 2): $2,100
Priority payment deadline: June 9
Continuing Colburn Community School students are eligible for an automatic $200 discount.
Applications due on June 2, 2023 for priority admission.
Develop your piano playing skills, engage with experienced Colburn piano faculty, and connect with fellow piano students through classes and performances during the 2023 Summer Piano Camp Intensive. Each day begins with a movement class and ends with a group theory and/or piano literature seminar. Each student will receive two 45-minute private piano lessons per week with esteemed Colburn faculty to work towards a recital performance at the end of the intensive.
July 10-21 (Mon-Fri) 9 am-3:30 pm
9-13 years old
Students are required to record and upload two contrasting pieces, played by memory. For repertoire, intermediate to advanced level pieces, such as Bach’s Anna Magdalena or Clementi Sonatinas are acceptable. Unacceptable repertoire includes pop music, arrangements of classical pieces, or pieces from method books.
Live Audition
If invited to the live audition, students must prepare and memorize two contrasting pieces, and be performance-ready. These pieces do not have to be the same as what was performed in the audition videos. Live auditions will be on May 7 from 2:00-8:00 pm – location TBD
Nonrefundable application fee: $25 (applied toward the registration fee if accepted)
Early registration fee (if paid by or on May 26): $1,895
Regular registration fee (if paid after May 26): $2,095
Final payment deadline: June 9
Applications due on May 5, 2023 by 5 pm PT.
The Colburn Jazz Workshop’s Big Band directors, Mr. Lee Secard and Dr. Walter Simonsen, are proud to present a special Summer Jazz Camp. This camp will include daily playing and improvisation, jazz theory, practicing/learning strategies, ear training, and listening to repertoire.
June 26-30 (Mon-Fri) 10am-2pm
Grades 8-10, 13-16 years old
Please submit videos of the 2 following works:
“Now’s The Time” (key of F blues) or “Sonny Moon For Two” (key of B-flat blues)
“Autumn Leaves” or “I Got Rhythm”
We would like to hear melody and improvisation on both pieces. Both selections should be played at a comfortable, moderate tempo. Most students use a play-along recording for accompaniment. The app, iReal Pro, is suggested to record accompaniment. A Jamey Aebersold play-along recording can also be used, or any other play-along rhythm section recording. A cell phone should be used to record the student playing along with the song. It should be filmed from the side so that both hands, the instrument, and the upper body can be seen on the video. Please review the recording to ensure both the instrument and the recorded track can be heard clearly, and that the visual image shows the student playing with both hands. The student should improvise according to what they hear, and what they know of music theory. We do not expect perfection, and want students to view this as something fun to do.
Early registration fee: $450 (if paid within 2 weeks after acceptance)
Regular registration fee: $525
Final payment deadline: June 2
Applications due on May 26, 2023 by 5 pm PT.
Led by Colburn Faculty Danielle Ondarza and Mike Zonshine, the Colburn Summer Brass Intensive will offer students the opportunity to perform together in one large brass ensemble in the morning, followed by smaller chamber music groups in the afternoon. All ensembles will be led by the Colburn School’s brass faculty. The Summer Brass Intensive is open to brass players who have been playing their instrument for at least three years and are intermediate or advanced players.
July 3-14 (no classes on July 4) First week: 10 am-3 pm Second week: 10 am-4 pm
10-20 years old
Open to brass players who have been playing their instrument for at least three years and are intermediate or advanced players.
Early registration fee (if paid by or on May 19): $895
Regular registration fee (if paid after May 19): $995
Final payment deadline: June 20
Registration deadline extended! Register by June 19 for priority admission.
This program is no longer taking place. However, applications for our 2023–24 Concert Band and Wind Ensemble are open!
Learn More
This program is no longer taking place. However, interested students from ages 6–20 are invited to apply to join Colburn’s 2023–24 Choir program.
The Summer Saxophone Intensive at the Colburn School is run by Dr. John Hallberg, Colburn saxophone faculty, and will offer a dynamic and diverse musical experience for the young saxophonist.
The camp will include a wide range of events such as lectures on saxophone fundamentals and techniques, daily warm-ups, master classes, saxophone chamber music, one-on-one lessons, guest vendors, and student and faculty concerts. Soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophonists that have been playing for at least three years and are intermediate to advance players are all welcome to join!
ScheduleJune 26-30
Age RangeGrades 8-12; ages 13-18
Student Requirements Open to all saxophonists that have been playing for at least three years and are intermediate to advance players.
Costs• Registration fee: $695• Registration/payment deadline: June 2• Continuing Colburn Community School students are eligible for an automatic $100 discount.
All fees are nonrefundable.
How to register1) Click “Register Now”2) Create a new account if you are a new student. Or login if you are a current student.3) Please respond to the series of questions asked and submit payment. We will be in touch with details in the next several weeks.
Questions? Contact summer@colburnschool.edu.
Robert Lipsett and Fabiola Kim, co-founders and faculty
Sounding Point Academy nurtures the next generation of soloists, chamber musicians, orchestral musicians, and pedagogues. During this two-week in-person program, students will delve into a curriculum that explores the most critical of violinistic elements.
Students will have opportunities to perform for the world’s leading performing artists, master the intricacies of orchestral excerpts, and gain comprehensive knowledge of the technical aspects of violin performance. The program will also offer a public-speaking and movement component, highlighting the value of entrepreneurship and versatility of a complete musician.
The application deadline is March 31, 2023, by 5 pm Pacific Time.
More information and application details.
During this two-week in-person seminar, piano students will receive expert instruction from Colburn’s talented faculty, as well as several renowned guest artists. The program welcomes applications from students of all nationalities, ethnic origins, religions, and genders. Participants will play in a weekly studio class, receive two private lessons each week, and have the opportunity to attend master classes and engage with artists. The seminar concludes with a live competition and the chance to win a $1,000 Steinway prize.
Age Range 13+ years old
Audition Requirements Please submit two contrasting pieces. Record/upload the files separately, and name the files with the composers & titles of the works (example: Chopin Ballade No. 1 in G Minor). Videos do not need to made professionally but must have a clear picture and good sound quality. The full profile and hands must be clearly shown.
Applicants must introduce themselves with their full names, age, and their goals if accepted into the seminar.
Your submissions must be in video-format only. Audio-only submissions will not be accepted.
Application Application deadline: Feb 15. Students will be notified by March 1. Late applicants may be considered based on availability. Limited scholarships may be available.
Costs All applicants
Non-Residential
Residential
* Participants must be 14 years of age or older to live in the residence hall. Those under 14 must be accompanied by an adult – please use the email address below to inquire about rates. Residents must also be fully-vaccinated (and boosted, if eligible).
How to apply 1) Click “Register Now” 2) Create a new account if you are a new student. Or login if you are a current student. 3) Please respond to the series of questions asked and click “Continue” when done. 4) Your responses will be submitted for review and we will contact you if you are accepted into the program. The application fee must be paid by the application deadline in order for your application to be considered.
Questions? Contact summer@colburnschool.edu
Steinway Competition:Date: Saturday, July 1, 2023 Location: Colburn SchoolPrize: $1000
-The competition is open only to students accepted into the seminar
-Upon acceptance, students wishing to enter the competition will be asked to submit a video for a pre screening judged by the co-directors. This video can be the same or different from the seminar application but must be submitted separately.
-the judges will be from outside the seminar faculty
Requirements for both pre screening and live round are:-2 or more contrasting pieces maximum of 20 minutes -the video quality requirements are the same as for the seminar application
Up to 10 students will be selected
Summer Music Theory Intensives cover a year’s curriculum in 4 weeks. The classes meet for 1.5 hours each day, 4 days/week, with about an hour of homework every day. Summer classes allow students to efficiently review past material or get ahead for the following year. Classes offered are Elementary II, Intermediate I, and Intermediate II.
New students must complete a music theory assessment for placement prior to registering.
June 12-July 7*; Mon-Thurs 2:30-3:55 pm
*due to the observed holiday on Tues, July 4, a make-up class will be provided on Fri, July 7
10+ years
New students must complete a music theory assessment to determine which class is most appropriate. Students currently enrolled in music theory at Colburn do not need to complete an assessment.
Music Theory Placement Evaluation
Email completed assessment to Kathy Sawada at ksawada@colburnschool.edu.
· Registration fee: $590
· Students enrolled in 8 private lessons for summer: $442.50*
· Students enrolled in 16 private lessons for summer: $295*
*Discounted tuition applies towards 45 and 60 minute lessons only. Please contact the office at cspa@colburnschool.edu for discount code.
Visit our Early Childhood page to learn more about summer samplers for ages 7 months to 5 years old.
Get information and application details about the programs Colburn offers each summer.
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