New England Music Camp

Music at NEMC

We were thrilled that our daughter wanted to achieve a higher level of playing and enjoyed the afternoon activities - a lovely combination of music, exercise and fun. ~ NEMC Parent

Music at NEMC

NEMC campers share one common interest – the love of music. Our faculty to camper ratio of 4:1 allows us to offer a music program where students receive significant individual attention from both their private studio teachers, and the faculty who attend and coach during ensemble rehearsals. Our program is specifically designed to provide opportunities for significant growth of both the advanced and less experienced performer. Many of our alumni have gone on to become prominent on the concert stage, in symphony orchestras, and on the teaching faculties of public and private schools, conservatories, and universities. Whether they pursue music as a profession, or maintain music as an avocation, our alumni tell us that their NEMC experience played a very important part in their personal growth.

Camper Designed Schedule

The NEMC core program allows each camper to design a schedule that meets their unique needs and interests. Students receives two private lessons each week and ample time for practice. We offer a broad selection of classes ranging from music theory and composition to Jazz appreciation and improvisation. Our major performing ensembles meet daily and perform for the public each week.

 

Major Performing Ensembles

All campers participate in at least one major performing ensemble. The availability of two different level groups provides ample opportunity for all campers to achieve great progress throughout the summer. These groups include two levels of orchestra, band, vocal, and jazz ensembles. Private teachers often write to us at the end of the summer to tell us about the incredible growth they see in their students after just one session at NEMC. Each week the performing groups prepare a new program chosen specifically to challenge players so that they are able to progress throughout the week and perform successfully on the weekend concerts.

 

Sample Class Listing

(This list represents a sampling of our summer course selection and is subject to change.)

For Wind Players

  • Small Wind Ensembles - These faculty coached ensembles include flute, clarinet, double reed, french horn, and low brass ensembles, a trumpet choir, and saxophone quartet. When instrumentation permits, mixed instrumental ensembles may be formed.
  • Reed Making – Oboe and bassoon students receive instruction and supervision in making reeds for their particular instruments. Students should bring reed making materials (thread, knife, wood block, plaque, and stone).

For Vocalists

  • Voice Class for Performance - Students perform songs in a class setting where discussion focuses on interpretation and stage presence. All students studying voice at NEMC are encouraged to participate regardless of previous experience.
  • Musical Theatre Workshop - Explore the repertory of well-established musicals, rehearse ensembles and larger pieces from the musical theater repertory and participate in theatre games and Theatre night. Character formation and stage movement is stressed in this class.
  • Diction for Singers - This course presents the principles of diction as they apply to singing in English, Italian, German, and/or French. The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) serves as the framework for the course. Vocalists will be expected to sing in the languages being studied.

For String Players

  • String Ensemble - Faculty coached small groups are formed, usually quartets.
  • Viola for Violinists - An introduction to Viola for violinists. Knowledge of the alto clef is recommended.
  • Suzuki Violin Class - This is a group class for students who have had training in the Suzuki method.
  • Cello Choir - This ensemble rehearses weekly to prepare a cello ensemble piece to be performed at the end of the session. Repertoire ranges from Baroque to modern music. Students learn skills that enable them to perform as a unified chamber ensemble.

For Keyboard and Guitar Players

  • Keyboard Skills - This class is for pianists with moderate proficiency.
  • Collaborative Piano - Advanced pianists have the opportunity to learn chamber playing and piano accompanying techniques.
  • Piano Literature - Explores selected piano literature and is open to all pianists.
  • Guitar Ensemble - Several classes are held for intermediate to advanced guitarists performing a variety of guitar repertoire.

For Percussionists

  • Steel Drum Class -This class offers basic instruction and coaching in steel drum performing techniques.
  • Percussion Ensemble - Explore the study and performance of Percussion Ensemble literature.

Conducting

  •  Students learn basic stick technique, conducting patterns and score reading. This class is for senior campers.

Jazz Studies

  • Jazz Appreciation - An introduction to the history and understanding of jazz styles (rag, swing, bebop, rock, funk, etc.) via listening to and viewing appropriate materials relevant to jazz history.
  • Introduction to Jazz Improvisation - This class offer basic coaching in the technique of jazz improvization focusing on the 12 bar blues, blues notes and basic concepts of jazz improvisation.

History/Literature

  • Orchestral Literature - Explore the vast orchestral repertoire of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. The class will listen to representative compositions, view videos of rehearsals and concerts by world renowned conductors and orchestras, and will discuss the influence of world history and politics on composers and performers.
  • History of Popular Music - A survey of the history of various popular styles of music from the 1950′s Rock & Roll to the present.

Music Theory

  • Theory I-IV and Composition – These classes are offered sequential 3 or 4 week units. Students are placed in classes based on evaluation.
  • Solfeggio – This class is available to those with a basic music theory background. Knowledge of the staff, clefs, and key signatures is necessary for ight singing with Solfege syllables using moveable “do”.


Try Something NEW!

Learn to play an instrument you have never tried before. NEMC offers Woodwind Class, Brass Class, Intro to Keyboard, Guitar Class, String Class, where students are taught the basics of playing an instrument other than the one they major in.