Required Proficiencies

1. Background in instrumental music – band, orchestra, or piano

2. Knowledge of music fundamentals, including key signatures and major/minor scales

3. Ability to read both treble and bass clefs

4. All registered students are expected to submit a brief questionnaire, original compositions, and recordings by June 1:

a. Questionnaire: A blank questionnaire will be mailed to you in the Spring, and will consist of simple questions regarding your musical studies, interests, background, and current level of proficiency. Your completed questionnaire is due June 1, along with other materials.

b. Original Compositions: Plan to submit copies of two original compositions, or one original composition and one arrangement. The scores for the pieces need not be printed using notation software, but must be neat and legible.

Recordings: While not required, it is recommended that you submit a compact disc containing musical recordings or MIDI realizations of your two scores. Each piece or movement of a piece should be a separate track, and an insert that clearly identifies each track should accompany the compact disc.

Blue Lake’s Music Composition Program allows students a platform for creativity in composition through focus in fundamentals. While at camp, each student will compose a new chamber work for two to five instruments, to be performed by staff members during the final presentation.

Daily courses will include a wide range of elements essential to young composers. The music theory class will focus on writing key signatures, intervals, scales, chords and non-harmonic tones. Also, students will be introduced to counterpoint, non-traditional scales and harmonies, chromaticism, atonality, and serialism. The composition and orchestration class will help students understand the importance of form, the ranges and transpositions of instruments, as well as the basics of score reading. Students will also learn how composers achieve specific effects and styles though listening to recordings and score analysis. Composition majors will have daily studio time to work on their final project using pianos or their own instrument, and will also have the opportunity to work with and learn from the musicians who will be performing their new composition.

Music Composition students can complete their instructional day by choosing a Minor, allowing them to experience another area of arts interest while at camp. See minors for a complete listing of courses. Students also have the opportunity to hear various performances presented as a part of Blue Lake’s Summer Arts Festival, as well as participate in recreational activities and other camp events.

H. Owen Reed Music Composition Scholarships
Blue Lake awards the H. Owen Reed Music Composition Scholarship to composition majors who qualify by competitive application. Significant scholarship aid toward camp tuition is available for those who qualify. Application materials are due March 1st. Please call 800-221-3796 or open H. Owen Reed Music Composition Scholarship for detailed audition requirements.

High School
Grades 9 – 12 next school year Please note required proficiencies and materials

Session I: June 26 - July 7, 2013
Session II: July 10 - 21, 2013

Enrollment is limited to 12 students per session.

 

Intermediate
Grades 7-9 next school year Please note required proficiencies and materials

Session III: July 24 - August 4, 2013
Session IV: August 7 - 18, 2013

Enrollment is limited to 12 students per session.