Maine Summer Youth Music
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Maine Summer Youth Music, known as MSYM, is held annually every July on the University of Maine at the Orono Campus, minutes from the city of Bangor. Students stay in the dormitories on campus for one week at the Junior Camp level, and for two weeks at the Senior Camp level. They have the opportunity to participate in a variety of ensembles, including Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Chorus or Chorale. There is also an annual musical theater production that all campers may audition for. Past productions include Cats, Into the Woods, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
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[edit] Camps
MSYM hosts two camps: Junior and Senior. The Junior camp is attended by students entering 6th through 9th grade, and generally takes place in the second week of July. Senior camp spans the last two weeks in July and is for students entering 9th through 12th grade, in addition to seniors who just graduated.
[edit] Curriculum
- There are several bands offered at MSYM; Concert, Symphonic, several Jazz Ensembles, and Jazz Combo. Students audition the first day of camp by the staff and are then placed in a band. The audition consists of a short prepared solo, scales, some sight-reading, and possibly some improvisation if seeking a top spot in a jazz group. Musical Theater audition information is included in a packet mailed to all campers prior to the start of summer vacation.
- All students have the opportunity to participate in Chorus. Students must simply sign up, and indicate their voice parts. There is also a Chamber Choir available to students who do not play instruments.
- There are a variety of classes to sign up for, including Master Classes, Improvisation, and Music Classes. Each camper also participates in at least one sectional for their voice or instrument part each day, as well as a Chamber Music period.
- Students do not have to pick between instrumental and vocal performance at MSYM. An example of a typical camper's schedule may include one of the two major bands, Chorus, and either a Jazz Ensemble, or Musical Theater. Another schedule could include Chorus, Chamber Choir, and a class in Music Theory. Students at MSYM are given a wide variety of options and opportunities to choose from.
[edit] Camp activities
Every night, campers attend an evening activity; concerts by extremely talented musicians - whether staff, student, or from around the world, Solo Night, Ensemble Night, Movie nights, Dances, Swimming, or any number of other possible activities. It all depends on the year!
[edit] Performance opportunities
Campers have many chances over the two week period to perform for their peers. Camper/staff variety night, solo/ensemble night, jazz night, band and chorus mid-camp concert, and the final musical theater, band, and chorus performances on the last day of camp.
[edit] Camp life
Campers are housed in the dorms on campus, on separate male and female floors (two campers to a room), and eat their meals at the commons on campus. They are supervised by experienced staff and counselors, as well as a certified camp nurse.
