Ensembles

All campers are required to participate in at least one of the large ensembles. The weekly schedule is set up to accommodate students who want to perform in both an instrumental ensemble (band or orchestra) and choir. The schedule does not allow for a student to participate in both band and orchestra. All ensembles are open to all campers, but there will be chair-placement auditions after registration for instrumentalists involved in orchestra or band. Students should bring a short, prepared piece to play for the audition.

• Orchestra: During the Middle School Camp, this is a string-only ensemble. The full ensemble meets two periods per day, with a third period devoted to sectional rehearsals. All students should enroll in all three periods in order to play in the orchestra. (includes periods 1, 4, and 5)
• Band: This is open to all who play woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. The full ensemble meets two periods per day. (includes periods 1 and 5)
• Choir: A mixed-voice ensemble open to all which meets two periods per day. (includes periods 2 and 6)

Classes and Workshops

Classes meet once each day, outside of the ensemble rehearsal times. With the few exceptions noted, there are no prerequisites for any of these classes. Students are encouraged to take one class each class period (periods 3 & 4). Many classes do have enrollment limits, so early enrollment is suggested.

Recognizing that there may be a variety of experiences and abilities among the students in each class, the camp philosophy will be to try to individualize each class so that every student can be challenged, and move a step beyond whatever level they were at at the beginning of the camp week.

Musical Class Offerings

• Beginning Ukulele:  No prior experience is necessary. Students will work on learning basic chords to be able to play for their own enjoyment.  Students are welcome to bring their own ukulele, but instruments will be provided.  There is no performance element with this class. (offered period 4)
  
• Brass Choir: An ensemble devoted to learning and performing music written or arranged for large brass ensemble. Open without audition to all brass players. The ensemble will have a performance on Friday. (offered period 4)
• Chamber Choir (Bass Clef): This select choir is for students who sing as a tenor or a bass. Admittance to the choir is by audition, and students who have enrolled will audition on registration day. (offered period 3)
  
• Chamber Choir (Treble Clef): This select choir is for students who sing as an alto or a soprano, regardless of student's gender. Admittance to the choir is by audition, and students who have enrolled will audition on registration day. (offered period 3)
  
• Composition: Students learn the basic musical vocabulary of a composer and work to compose a piece of their own choice during the week. (offered period 3)
• Conducting: This class will introduce students to the different aspects of conducting.  It will include selecting a baton, utilizing different conducting patterns, and communicating with ensembles.  No prior conducting experience needed.  (offered period 3)
• Electronic Music: Students will use some of the computer programs and electronic equipment in Luther's electronic music studio to learn about the world of electronically-generated sound. They will have the opportunity to create an electronic piece of their own. Compositions ready by the end of the week will be presented at a performance on Friday. (offered period 4)
• Elements of Music: If you enjoy making music with others and would like to become a stronger musician, this is the class for you.  Join us for solfege games and fun with rhythm. There is no performance element to this class. (offered period 3)

• Jazz Band: Interested students are encouraged to audition during Sunday registration for this ensemble. All students auditioning, but not selected for the Jazz Band, have the chance to be enrolled in a jazz improvisation class instead. In that way, every student wanting a jazz experience while at camp will be able to have one. Please note that you cannot enroll in this class at the time of enrollment. Instead, you enroll in another class during period 3, and if you are accepted for Jazz Band, you will be placed in that ensemble instead of the class you chose.

  The Jazz Band audition will last 5-10 minutes. Students will be asked to play scales, do some sight-reading, and perform a short excerpt of something they've been working on (such as a solo, etude, or technique studies) OPTIONAL: play the melody and improvise over a jazz standard found in the Real Book. (offered period 3)

• Jazz Improvisation (Beginner): A jazz theory and techniques class geared for students who have not had a great deal of background or experience in improvisation. Basics will be covered, and students will have opportunities to try out what they are learning in front of their classmates. (offered period 4)
• Jazz Improvisation (Intermediate): A class geared toward the more experienced jazz performer, with emphasis on more advanced theory and technique of improvisation. (offered period 4)
• Keyboard Workshop: This workshop is most useful for pianists and organists with a minimum of 2 years of lesson experience. Students will play for each other in the class setting, and will also be required to take private lessons during camp on either piano or organ. Students not familiar with the organ will have a chance to get acquainted with it during the course of the week. If a student wants to perform on the recital at the end of the week, they must come to camp with a memorized selection. Performance on the recital is not a requirement. (offered period 3)
• Music Theory (Beginner): Students will be introduced to basic concepts of music theory including note names, rhythm, and key signatures. No prior theory knowledge is needed for this class. (offered period 4)
  
• Music Theory (Intermediate): Students study some of the tools and techniques and terminology used in understanding music theory. Skills such as chord structure, solfeggio, and basic aural skills will be taught. (offered period 4)
• Percussion Ensemble (for non-percussionists): An ensemble devoted to learning and performing music written for large percussion ensembles. Percussion experience is not required for period 3. The ensemble will have a performance on Friday. (offered period 3)
• Percussion Ensemble (for percussionists): An ensemble devoted to learning and performing music written for large percussion ensembles. Percussion experience is required for period 4. The ensemble will have a performance on Friday. (offered period 4)
• Songwriting: Open to all aspiring creatives, collaborators, and problem-solvers. Explore strategies for developing lyrical and musical ideas into fully-formed songs. It is helpful if students understand and are able to play basic chords on the piano or guitar, but due to the group format of the class it is not required. Keyboards will be available during class. Students who feel more comfortable playing guitar or ukulele are encouraged to bring their own. (offered period 4)
• Vocal Performance: A workshop devoted to learning about the voice and safe, productive ways to use it musically. Items covered may range from safe warm-up techniques to proper breathing and from breath control to sound projection. Group and individual singing may be required. Many return campers repeat this class year after year as their voices change and mature. The two periods are intended to be identical. (offered period 3 or 4)
• Woodwind Choir: An ensemble devoted to learning and performing music written or arranged for large woodwind ensemble. Open without audition to all woodwind players. The ensemble will have a performance on Friday. (offered period 3)

Art and Theatre Class Offerings

• Clay Sculpture: Basic clay sculpture technique workshop for students at all levels of experience. Students will be assigned a basic project idea, which they will adapt to create their own sculpture. Projects will be kiln-fired and will be available for class members to take home at the end of camp. (offered period 3 or 4)
• From App to Art: Using iPads, students will explore a variety of useful visual art apps to create a unique character through digital illustration. iPads will be provided for this class. (offered period 1)
• Making Comics: This class introduces students to the creation of the modern comic. Class participants will learn the fundamentals of comic narrative illustration and will also produce their own unique comic story. (offered period 3 or 4)
• Mask Making: Make a three-dimensional fantasy mask using artists' materials. Learn how to design and create a larger-than-life mask or headdress that communicates a character. Students will experiment with various traditional and non-traditional materials in making a mask. (offered period 3 or 4)
• Scenic Painting: Students will learn theatrical scenic painting techniques that are employed to create images such as faux bricks, stone, wood, leaves, wallpaper and marble. (offered during period 3)
• Screenprinting Studio: Screenprinting is a design transfer tool used often for mass-producing images on paper, wood and fabric. Come learn some easy screen-printing techniques creating your own one-of-a-kind t-shirt. (offered period 3 or 4)
• Stop Motion Animation: Learn how to merge many still pictures into a movie of moving pictures. Students will create their own short movie using everyday objects to tell a story. (offered period 3 or 4)
• Theatre Games: This theatre improvisation class opens the door to creativity and imagination in a fun and supportive environment, playfully developing the skills needed for performance. (offered period 3)

 Dance Class Offerings

• Learn Your Body: Dance 1: Do you love to move? Do you want to know more about how your body moves? Learn to move with ease and creativity as you experience the art of movement! Students will perform a group movement score at the end of the session. (offered period 3)
• Composing Dance: Dance 2: You know about music composers and how they create. Now, learn how to compose for dance. Come share your creative ideas for making dance. Only your imagination is required! Students will showcase their dance compositions at the end of the session. (offered period 5)
• Show Choir: Show Choir is a class designed for those with an interest in gaining show choir dance experience. Taught by show choir veterans, campers with both limited and abundant show choir experience will be taught techniques valuable to school show choir programs of every ability level. No audition is required and the class performs as part of the dance theatre/dance showcase. (offered period 1 or 5)