ISSUED: 27 January 2017
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — Area middle and high school students will have the opportunity to “major” in music at Shepherd University this summer during the annual string orchestra and jazz camps. Registration is now open for both camps that will run June 19-23 in the Frank Center.
Junior jazz camp, for students in grades 6-8, will run from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and a senior camp, for grades 9-12, will run from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The camps will include band rehearsals, individual and group coaching for all students, combo/improvisation classes, theory classes, master classes, and faculty performances. The junior jazz campers will give a culminating performance on Friday, June 23, at 1 p.m. and the senior jazz students will perform at 2 p.m. that day.
Shepherd faculty who will teach at the camp include Dr. Kurtis Adams, associate professor of music and director of jazz studies; Dr. Mark Cook, associate professor of music and director of theory and composition; Kevin Pace, adjunct bass and improvisation professor; and Ronnie Shaw, adjunct drum set professor. They will be joined by Mike Kamuf, Alfred publishing arranger and director of bands and orchestras at John T. Baker Middle School in Damascus, Maryland.
The string orchestra camp, which will run from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., is open to students in grades 8-12 during the 2016-17 school year and community members who can play at an intermediate level. Highlights of the camp will include string orchestra rehearsals, master classes and group coaching for all students, chamber music coaching, fiddle workshops, and faculty performances. Students will be introduced to quintessential string orchestra and chamber ensemble repertoire, while also honing their technique and theory skills. A culminating concert will take place on Friday, June 23, at 5 p.m.
Faculty teaching during strings camp includes Dr. Scott Hippensteel, associate professor of music and director of instrumental studies; Heather Austin-Stone, adjunct violin and viola professor; and Camilo Pérez-Mejía, adjunct cello professor. Teresa Gordon, concertmaster of Loudoun Symphony Orchestra, will also teach at the camp.
The cost for both string orchestra camp and senior jazz camp is $250 before April 15 and $275 after April 15. Junior jazz camp costs $125 before April 15 and $150 after April 15. Financial aid is available through the newly established Younis Family Fund. For more information about the camps, visit www.shepherd.edu/preparatory-program. For information about financial aid, contact Sherry Sykes at ssykes@shepherd.edu or call 304-876-5248.
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