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Testimonials
"It was great to be taught by Penn State’s amazing faculty and have dorm counselors who were able to answer our questions."
Academic Courses
Students may choose from a variety of academic class options.
Private lessons may be available (instrument/voice) at an additional fee of $50 per forty-five minute lesson. Lessons will be given by Penn State School of Music faculty and guest artists. Students may take one or two lessons, if desired. Lesson space is limited and will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. The additional lesson fee (check or cash) will be collected at registration on Sunday, July 15. Lesson fees must be paid on July 15 in order for you to receive lessons. Note: Lesson payments will not be refunded for any reason. This will be your only opportunity to register for private lessons.
2012 Course Descriptions
Cartoon Music
Instructor: Christiana Smith, horn, Altoona Symphony Orchestra, Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra
This course examines how music creates drama, action, romance, and comedy in cartoons. By examining the music of some of our favorite cartoons, we will see how composers use music to
affect our perception of characters and events.
Individual Monitored Practice Time (Winds/Strings/Voice)
Individual practice time will take place in the practice rooms of Music Building II. Campers will be monitored by current Penn State School of Music students. This is an excellent time to
practice your camp ensemble music or prepare for a lesson or performance.
Individual Monitored Piano Practice Time (Piano Students Only)
There are three program choices for piano students, all of which include at least three hours of individual piano practice each day of camp. Please refer to the following when creating
your daily camp schedule.
- Piano only: two hours of piano master class, five hours of individual piano practice. Three half-hour lessons will be scheduled during your practice time.
- Piano and one other ensemble (due to scheduling, Concert Band is not available to piano festival students): two hours of piano master class, two hours of ensemble rehearsal (Concert Choir, Orchestra, or Jazz Ensemble), three hours of individual piano practice. Three half-hour lessons will be scheduled during your practice time.
- Piano and one academic class: two hours of piano master class, one hour of an academic class chosen from the course descriptions, four hours of individual piano practice. Three half-hour lessons will be scheduled during your practice time.
Jazz Improvisation
Instructors: Penn State Summer Music Camp jazz faculty, including Josh Davis, Susquehanna University School of Music, Director of Jazz Studies; Dr. David Stambler, Penn State
School of Music-Saxophone; Dan Yoder, Penn State School of Music, Director of Jazz Studies
This course will be split into three different levels: beginning, intermediate, and advanced jazz improvisation. In this course, all students will need their instrument to learn the
different nuances of learning to improvise.
Jazz History
Instructors: Josh Davis, Susquehanna University School of Music; David Stambler, Penn State School of Music
This class will be a survey of the styles, people, and repertoire of American jazz through listening, lectures, and live performance!
Made in America
Instructor: T. K. Vu, University of Minnesota School of Music
Investing in American-made products is quickly becoming all the rage across the country. Made in America will introduce participants to five American-made musical moments:
American Indian music, hymn tunes of the Revolution, slave songs, women's suffrage, and Broadway. Alongside world events, politics, religion, and art, students can discover important
moments in American musical development.
Music History Mysteries
Dr. Marie Sumner-Lott, Penn State School of Music – Musicology
What makes symphonies by Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven alike? How are they different from concertos or overtures? How can you tell a piano sonata by Chopin apart from a character piece by
Schumann or an étude by Liszt? Is there really a difference between musical theatre and opera? Answer these questions, and more, in this class by listening to and discussing concert-hall
standards. Each day we’ll explore a single type of music from its Baroque or Classical origins, through the Romantic era, and into the twentieth century. You’ll collect clues about
orchestral works, songs, piano and chamber music, and music for theatre. At the end of each class, we’ll listen to a “mystery piece” in that type to let you put your new knowledge and
your problem-solving skills to the test to try and figure out “Who? What? Where? When?”
Musical Theatre: Making the Show Song Come Alive — Telling the
Story
Instructor: Mary Saunders-Barten, Head of Voice Instruction for Penn State’s Musical Theatre Program
This class will give students an opportunity to learn what makes a musical theatre song “live” dramatically. Why are you singing? What happened the moment before? Everyone will experiment
with creating their own scenarios and song monologues. We will have songs to teach you if you don’t have one prepared!
Musicianship Listening
Instructor: Matt Travis
Listening to music is one of the best and most enjoyable ways to become a better musician. We will spend the week listening to and learning about some of the most important pieces of
music written for band, choir, orchestra, chamber ensembles, and soloists from different historical eras. The more you know about all kinds of music, the better you can play and sing!
Music Theory/Sight Singing/Ear Training I
Instructor: Christiana Smith, horn, Altoona Symphony Orchestra, Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra
Making music is so much more rewarding when you know what’s going on! This course will introduce beginning theory students to the basics of music theory. Topics will include treble clef,
bass clef and C clef staves, time signatures, basic rhythm, key signatures, interval recognition, as well as basic sight singing and ear training.
Music Theory/Sight Singing/Ear Training II
Instructor: Tom Cody, Penn State School of Music – Theory
This course is designed for students who have a strong working knowledge of the basics of music theory, especially with regard to intervals and chordal structure. Students will
participate in a hands-on, compositional approach to the basics of two-voice counterpoint, arranging, and transposition as well as in-class, group performances of their work. Improved ear
training and sight singing skills will also result from in-class practice. This course can improve the musicianship skills of all students.
Music Today – Career Tomorrow
Instructor: T. K. Vu, University of Minnesota School of Music
Whether you are interested in music performance, education, or business, Music Today – Career Tomorrow has the answers you are looking for. This course will address your
questions regarding college planning, audition preparation, résumé and personal statement writing, and professional goal setting. Be sure to enroll in Music Today – Career
Tomorrow for your chance to interact with music professionals, including conductors, performers, students, business owners, and more. Get in the “know” zone and sign up today.
Performance Practice and Criticism for Performers and Listeners
This unique course offers an exciting opportunity for musicians who arrive at camp prepared to perform a solo (with accompaniment when applicable) in front of a small classroom of peers
with an outstanding pianist from our staff. The purpose of this course is to engage in critical listening skills that transcend beyond the instruments/voice we play and to help us learn
how to articulate, in words and writing, how we feel about listening to performances on any instrument. Although this class is primarily to gain performance experience, listeners are
welcome.
Psychology of Music
Instructor: Michael Schutz, McMaster University School of the Arts, Hamilton, Ontario
Is music really a universal language? Where did music come from? Why do some songs get stuck in our heads? Why don’t all songs get stuck in our heads? This mini-course will overview the
fundamentals of the psychology of music, with a particular focus on questions of relevance to performing musicians. Discussions will include issues such as the role of visual information
in music perception, communicating emotional intentions, exploring parallels between music and language, and understanding the psychological basis of musical properties such as pitch,
timbre, and loudness.
Voice Class for instrumentalists
Instructor: Matthew Swope, Director of Choral Activities, Winter Park High School, Winter Park, Florida; Adjunct Professor of Voice, Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida
You know how to play your instrument, but what about your voice? All musicians use their natural instrument, the voice, at some point, and all musicians should know the fundamentals of
good singing. Learn about breathing, posture, and vocal production in a positive, encouraging atmosphere!
