A summer music camp gives a child a week or more of playing with others every day. Choose by three things: the level of the campers, day camp or overnight, and what a child does hour by hour. This page explains the kinds of camp and gives a list of questions to ask.
It gives no prices. Fees differ by camp and change each year.
Kinds of camp
| Kind | What happens | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| General music day camp | Singing, rhythm, instruments to try, and crafts | Young children and beginners |
| Band camp | Full band, small sections, and marching for older students | Band students after their first year |
| String or orchestra camp | Orchestra, sectionals, and small groups | String players who can read music |
| Chamber music camp | Trios and quartets with a coach | Players at a middle level and up |
| Choir camp | Daily rehearsals and a concert | Singers of any level |
| Piano camp | Lessons, duets, theory, and performance class | Piano students who want company |
| Suzuki institute | Daily lessons, group classes, and concerts, with a parent attending | Suzuki families |
| Musical theater camp | Singing, acting, and dance, with a show at the end | Children who love the stage |
| Composition or theory camp | Writing music and hearing it played | Older students |
| Arts camp with auditions | Weeks of intense work, often overnight | Serious teens |
For the Suzuki kind, read Suzuki summer institutes explained for parents.
Day or overnight?
- Day camp suits a first camp at any age.
- Overnight camp suits a child who has slept away from home before and wants to go.
- A family camp or institute suits young children. A parent attends too.
Ask your child, and choose together.
Match the level
The music needs to be at the right level for your child.
- Ask the camp what level most campers play at.
- Ask how they place campers in groups. Some ask for a short video.
- Ask your child’s teacher which camps past students have liked.
- Read the music list if the camp posts one.
What a day looks like
A day at an orchestra camp may run in this order:
- Warm-up and full rehearsal
- Sectional, with each instrument group and a coach
- A class, such as theory, choir, or drumming
- Lunch and outdoor time
- Small groups
- Free time, sports, or swimming
- An evening concert or activity
Ask how many hours a day campers play, and whether that suits your child’s age.
Questions to ask
About the teaching
- Who teaches, and what is their training?
- How many campers are there for each teacher?
- Does each camper get a private lesson?
- Is there a final concert that families can attend?
About the day
- How much of the day is music, and what else do campers do?
- Is there time and a place to practice?
- Where are instruments stored, and are they safe from heat?
About care
- Who supervises campers outside of classes?
- What do you do when a camper is homesick?
- How do you handle allergies and medicine?
About money
- What does the fee cover?
- Are there extra costs for music, a camp shirt, or trips?
- Is there financial aid, and when is the form due?
- What is the refund policy?
When to look
Start looking in winter. Camps with auditions can set their deadlines months before the summer, and aid forms can be due early too.
What to pack
- The instrument, in a case with a name tag
- A folding music stand, if the camp asks for one
- Music, in a folder
- Pencils
- Spare strings or reeds
- Rosin, valve oil, or cork grease
- A cleaning cloth
- Concert clothes
- A water bottle
- A hat and sunscreen
Never leave an instrument in a hot car. Heat can damage wood and glue.
Get ready before camp
- Learn the music if the camp sends it ahead.
- Have the instrument checked. New strings or pads are easier to arrange at home.
- Practice a little every day in the two weeks before. Read a summer practice plan.
- For overnight camp, try a night away from home first.
After camp
- Ask what your child liked most.
- Tell the teacher what your child played.
- Keep in touch with camp friends.
- Look for a group that meets all year. Read youth orchestras and children’s choirs.
If camp is not possible
A summer at home can still be full of music. Try the summer listening challenge, go to an outdoor concert, or set one goal piece for August. For low-cost choices, read free and low-cost music lessons for kids.
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This article is part of Music lessons for kids: a parent's guide to starting, choosing, and practicing.
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Use it with your kids
Print a listening page, a practice chart, or a composer fact sheet. Or try a tool, such as the composer timeline or the piece picker.