Orchestra
The Orchestra Program is designed to challenge string students of all proficiency levels. Students are grouped by ability within one of several orchestras after submitting a placement video prior to the camp session. Our orchestra conducting faculty selects a challenging repertoire for each level of ensemble, featuring works by traditional and contemporary composers including Grieg, Telemann, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Beethoven, Vivaldi, Schumann, Vaughan Williams, Dvorak, Elgar, Ireland, Bruch, DeFalla, Coleridge-Taylor, Still, Piazzolla, and Mendelssohn.Students receive five hours of intensive daily full rehearsals, sectionals, and technique classes.
Students can complete their instructional day by choosing a Minor, allowing them to experience another area of interest while at camp. Students also have the opportunity to attend Summer Arts Festival performances, as well as participate in recreation, camp activities, and attend arts-focused educational events in the evening.
Orchestra Conductors 2026
Session 1
Blue Lake Camerata – Dr. Alexander Jiménez, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Masterworks Orchestra – Bradley Pfeil, Neuqua Valley High School, Naperville, IL
Symphony Orchestra – Willie McAllister Jr., retired, Detroit Public Schools, Farmington Hills, MI
Concert Orchestra – Jessica Fiedorowicz, South Haven Public Schools, South Haven, MI
Session 2
Blue Lake Camerata – Dr. Raphael Jiménez, Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Oberlin, OH
Masterworks Orchestra – Wendy Stuart, Troy School District, West Bloomfield, MI
Symphony Orchestra – James Van Eizenga, Novi Community School District, Farmington Hills, MI
Concert Orchestra – Dr. Diego Piedra, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN
Session 3
Symphony Orchestra – Dr. Luis Fernandez, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Appleton, WI
Concert Orchestra – James Gross, Grosse Pointe South High School, Grosse Pointe Park, MI
Marek String Orchestra – Dr. Jose Rocha, Ohio University, Athens, OH
Session 4
Symphony Orchestra – Peter Lograsso, retired, Northbrook School District 27, Westchester, IL
Concert Orchestra – Dave Farquhar, retired, Villa Park School District, Lombard, IL
High School Orchestra
During sessions 1 and 2 (High School level), the ensembles include Camerata, Masterworks Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, and Concert Orchestra.
The High School Symphony and Concert Orchestras provide student members a range of challenging orchestral repertoire. Student strings are placed in these ensembles based upon a pre-arrival placement video. Student winds and percussion interested in orchestra must initially enroll in “Band” and are also selected based on their pre-arrival placement videos. Those ranking the highest in their sections are assigned to Orchestra Winds & Percussion. These students perform in two orchestra wind sections (symphony and concert) and will participate in sectionals, technique classes, and chamber music ensembles as scheduling permits.
Camerata
Session 1 Camerata, Dr. Alexander Jiménez, conductor
W. A. Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Gary Fletcher: Scherzo on American Themes
William Grant Still: Lyric Suite
Session 1 Festival Orchestra, Dr. Alexander Jiménez, conductor
Morton Gould: American Salute
George Gershwin: An American in Paris
William Schuman: New England Triptych
J.P. Sousa: The Stars and Stripes Forever
Session 2 Camerata, Dr. Raphael Jiménez, conductor
Witold Lutoslawski: Five Folk Melodies
Florence Price: Adoration (arr. Alexandra Dee)
Carl Nielsen: Little Suite for Strings Op. 1
Session 2 Festival Orchestra, Dr. Raphael Jiménez, conductor
Pietro Mascagni: Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4
Members of the Blue Lake Camerata are selected via video audition and notified in the Spring, with preferred placement auditions due by February 28th, and second round auditions due by March 28th. Significant scholarship aid toward camp tuition is available for those who qualify. To submit your audition, complete the scholarship application at Scholarships.
The Camerata offers the most advanced string players a professional orchestra experience. Camerata members rehearse daily with Blue Lake’s faculty and staff in the Summer Arts Festival Orchestra and perform significant works of standard repertoire on the Saturday evening Blue Lake Public Radio worldwide broadcast for the radio audience and an audience of 1,500 in Stewart Shell. The Camerata also performs its own recital on the final Sunday of the session. In addition to ensemble and sectional rehearsals, members’ educational day includes private lessons, individual practice, and mentorship from distinguished faculty, conductors, and guest artists.
Masterworks Orchestra
The Masterworks Orchestra challenges advanced high school musicians with original, unedited, standard orchestral repertoire by studying and performing one major work during the 12-day session. The winds and percussion in the Masterworks Orchestra are comprised of qualified high school students who have successfully auditioned in advance. The 2026 repertoire for Session 1 is Shostakovich — Symphony No. 5 in D Minor, op. 47. Repertoire for Session 2 is Tchaikovsky — Suite from Swan Lake, op. 20a. Masterworks strings are selected via video placement just prior to arrival at camp.
Strings who are enrolled as Orchestra majors in Sessions 1 or 2 are automatically considered for Masterworks placement once they have submitted their pre-arrival placement video prior to the camp session. Advanced student winds and percussion are selected via video audition and notified earlier in the Spring, with preferred placement auditions due by February 28th, and second round auditions due by March 28th. Significant scholarship aid toward camp tuition is available for those who qualify. To review audition requirements and submit your audition, visit Scholarships.
Instrumentation for Session 1– Shostakovich Symphony No. 5: 2 flute, 2 oboe, 2 clarinet, 2 bassoon, 4 horn, 3 trumpet, 3 trombone, 1 tuba, harps, timpani, percussion
Instrumentation for Session 2– Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Suite: 3 flute (1 piccolo), 2 oboe, 2 clarinet, 2 bassoon, 4 horn, 4 trumpet, 3 trombone, tuba, timpani, percussion (triangle, bass drum, cymbal), harp
Intermediate Orchestra
During sessions 3 and 4 (Intermediate/Middle School level), ensembles include Symphony Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, and String Orchestra. Each of the Intermediate orchestras provide students with a range of challenging orchestral repertoire. The repertoire for all the orchestras will be announced on opening day of the session, and previous repertoire has included selections such as: Schubert’s Rosamunde Overture, Bizet’s Carmen Suite No. 2, Verdi’s Overture to Nabucco, Piazzolla’s Libertango, Lucas’ Tatarian Dances, Stills’ Danzas de Panama, Britten’s Simple Symphony and Coleridge-Taylor’s selections from Africa Suite. Students are placed in ensembles based upon their pre-arrival placement video. Student winds/percussion ranking the highest in their sections are assigned to Orchestra Winds & Percussion. These students perform in two orchestra wind sections (symphony and concert) and participate in sectionals, technique classes, and chamber music ensembles as scheduling permits.
Junior Orchestra Program
Blue Lake also offers a junior orchestra program for younger students, grades 5 – 8, at Camp Bernstein. Designed for less experienced musicians who will benefit from a non-competitive learning environment, Camp Bernstein offers activities and a daily schedule tailored for younger campers.
Orchestra
The Orchestra Program is designed to challenge string students of all proficiency levels. Students are grouped by ability within one of several orchestras after submitting a placement video prior to the camp session. Our orchestra conducting faculty selects a challenging repertoire for each level of ensemble, featuring works by traditional and contemporary composers including Grieg, Telemann, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Beethoven, Vivaldi, Schumann, Vaughan Williams, Dvorak, Elgar, Ireland, Bruch, DeFalla, Coleridge-Taylor, Still, Piazzolla, and Mendelssohn.Students receive five hours of intensive daily full rehearsals, sectionals, and technique classes.
Students can complete their instructional day by choosing a Minor, allowing them to experience another area of interest while at camp. Students also have the opportunity to attend Summer Arts Festival performances, as well as participate in recreation, camp activities, and attend arts-focused educational events in the evening.
Orchestra Conductors 2026
Session 1
Blue Lake Camerata – Dr. Alexander Jiménez, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Masterworks Orchestra – Bradley Pfeil, Neuqua Valley High School, Naperville, IL
Symphony Orchestra – Willie McAllister Jr., retired, Detroit Public Schools, Farmington Hills, MI
Concert Orchestra – Jessica Fiedorowicz, South Haven Public Schools, South Haven, MI
Session 2
Blue Lake Camerata – Dr. Raphael Jiménez, Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Oberlin, OH
Masterworks Orchestra – Wendy Stuart, Troy School District, West Bloomfield, MI
Symphony Orchestra – James Van Eizenga, Novi Community School District, Farmington Hills, MI
Concert Orchestra – Dr. Diego Piedra, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN
Session 3
Symphony Orchestra – Dr. Luis Fernandez, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Appleton, WI
Concert Orchestra – James Gross, Grosse Pointe South High School, Grosse Pointe Park, MI
Marek String Orchestra – Dr. Jose Rocha, Ohio University, Athens, OH
Session 4
Symphony Orchestra – Peter Lograsso, retired, Northbrook School District 27, Westchester, IL
Concert Orchestra – Dave Farquhar, retired, Villa Park School District, Lombard, IL
High School Orchestra
During sessions 1 and 2 (High School level), the ensembles include Camerata, Masterworks Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, and Concert Orchestra.
The High School Symphony and Concert Orchestras provide student members a range of challenging orchestral repertoire. Student strings are placed in these ensembles based upon a pre-arrival placement video. Student winds and percussion interested in orchestra must initially enroll in “Band” and are also selected based on their pre-arrival placement videos. Those ranking the highest in their sections are assigned to Orchestra Winds & Percussion. These students perform in two orchestra wind sections (symphony and concert) and will participate in sectionals, technique classes, and chamber music ensembles as scheduling permits.
Camerata
Session 1 Camerata, Dr. Alexander Jiménez, conductor
W. A. Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Gary Fletcher: Scherzo on American Themes
William Grant Still: Lyric Suite
Session 1 Festival Orchestra, Dr. Alexander Jiménez, conductor
Morton Gould: American Salute
George Gershwin: An American in Paris
William Schuman: New England Triptych
J.P. Sousa: The Stars and Stripes Forever
Session 2 Camerata, Dr. Raphael Jiménez, conductor
Witold Lutoslawski: Five Folk Melodies
Florence Price: Adoration (arr. Alexandra Dee)
Carl Nielsen: Little Suite for Strings Op. 1
Session 2 Festival Orchestra, Dr. Raphael Jiménez, conductor
Pietro Mascagni: Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4
Members of the Blue Lake Camerata are selected via video audition and notified in the Spring, with preferred placement auditions due by February 28th, and second round auditions due by March 28th. Significant scholarship aid toward camp tuition is available for those who qualify. To submit your audition, complete the scholarship application at Scholarships.
The Camerata offers the most advanced string players a professional orchestra experience. Camerata members rehearse daily with Blue Lake’s faculty and staff in the Summer Arts Festival Orchestra and perform significant works of standard repertoire on the Saturday evening Blue Lake Public Radio worldwide broadcast for the radio audience and an audience of 1,500 in Stewart Shell. The Camerata also performs its own recital on the final Sunday of the session. In addition to ensemble and sectional rehearsals, members’ educational day includes private lessons, individual practice, and mentorship from distinguished faculty, conductors, and guest artists.
Masterworks Orchestra
The Masterworks Orchestra challenges advanced high school musicians with original, unedited, standard orchestral repertoire by studying and performing one major work during the 12-day session. The winds and percussion in the Masterworks Orchestra are comprised of qualified high school students who have successfully auditioned in advance. The 2026 repertoire for Session 1 is Shostakovich — Symphony No. 5 in D Minor, op. 47. Repertoire for Session 2 is Tchaikovsky — Suite from Swan Lake, op. 20a. Masterworks strings are selected via video placement just prior to arrival at camp.
Strings who are enrolled as Orchestra majors in Sessions 1 or 2 are automatically considered for Masterworks placement once they have submitted their pre-arrival placement video prior to the camp session. Advanced student winds and percussion are selected via video audition and notified earlier in the Spring, with preferred placement auditions due by February 28th, and second round auditions due by March 28th. Significant scholarship aid toward camp tuition is available for those who qualify. To review audition requirements and submit your audition, visit Scholarships.
Instrumentation for Session 1– Shostakovich Symphony No. 5: 2 flute, 2 oboe, 2 clarinet, 2 bassoon, 4 horn, 3 trumpet, 3 trombone, 1 tuba, harps, timpani, percussion
Instrumentation for Session 2– Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Suite: 3 flute (1 piccolo), 2 oboe, 2 clarinet, 2 bassoon, 4 horn, 4 trumpet, 3 trombone, tuba, timpani, percussion (triangle, bass drum, cymbal), harp
Intermediate Orchestra
During sessions 3 and 4 (Intermediate/Middle School level), ensembles include Symphony Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, and String Orchestra. Each of the Intermediate orchestras provide students with a range of challenging orchestral repertoire. The repertoire for all the orchestras will be announced on opening day of the session, and previous repertoire has included selections such as: Schubert’s Rosamunde Overture, Bizet’s Carmen Suite No. 2, Verdi’s Overture to Nabucco, Piazzolla’s Libertango, Lucas’ Tatarian Dances, Stills’ Danzas de Panama, Britten’s Simple Symphony and Coleridge-Taylor’s selections from Africa Suite. Students are placed in ensembles based upon their pre-arrival placement video. Student winds/percussion ranking the highest in their sections are assigned to Orchestra Winds & Percussion. These students perform in two orchestra wind sections (symphony and concert) and participate in sectionals, technique classes, and chamber music ensembles as scheduling permits.
Junior Orchestra Program
Blue Lake also offers a junior orchestra program for younger students, grades 5 – 8, at Camp Bernstein. Designed for less experienced musicians who will benefit from a non-competitive learning environment, Camp Bernstein offers activities and a daily schedule tailored for younger campers.
Ocrchestra
The Orchestra Program is designed to challenge string students of all proficiency levels. Students are grouped by ability within one of several orchestras after submitting a placement video prior to the camp session. Our orchestra conducting faculty selects a challenging repertoire for each level of ensemble, featuring works by traditional and contemporary composers including Grieg, Telemann, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Beethoven, Vivaldi, Schumann, Vaughan Williams, Dvorak, Elgar, Ireland, Bruch, DeFalla, Coleridge-Taylor, Still, Piazzolla, and Mendelssohn.
Students receive five hours of intensive daily full rehearsals, sectionals, and technique classes. Students can complete their instructional day by choosing a Minor, allowing them to experience another area of interest while at camp. Students also have the opportunity to attend Summer Arts Festival performances, as well as participate in recreation, camp activities, and attend arts-focused educational events in the evening.
Orchestra Sessions 1 and 2
During sessions 1 and 2 (High School level), the ensembles include Camerata, Masterworks Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, and Concert Orchestra.
The Camerata offers the most advanced string players a professional orchestra experience. Camerata members rehearse daily with Blue Lake’s faculty and staff in the Summer Arts Festival Orchestra and perform significant works of standard repertoire on the Saturday evening Blue Lake Public Radio worldwide broadcast for the radio audience and an audience of 1,500 in Stewart Shell. The Camerata also performs its own recital on the final Sunday of the session. In addition to ensemble and sectional rehearsals, members’ educational day includes private lessons, individual practice, and mentorship from distinguished faculty, conductors, and guest artists.
Session 1 Camerata, Douglas Droste, conductor
Aldolphus Hailstork — selections from Sonata da Chiesa; Edward Elgar — Serenade for Strings in E minor (mvts. 1 & 2); Clint Needham — New Composition
Session 1 Festival Orchestra, Douglas Droste, conductor
César Franck — Symphony in D minor; Noah Mallett — Sound and Sight (2024)
Session 2 Camerata, Dr. Raphael Jiménez, conductor
Felix Mendelssohn — String Symphony No. 10 in B minor; Soon Hee Newbold — Lion City; Jonathan Bingham — Diamond; Clarice Assad — Three Variations
Session 2 Festival Orchestra, Dr. Raphael Jiménez, conductor
Johannes Brahms — Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90; Clarice Assad — Baiäo N’ Blues
Members of the Blue Lake Camerata are selected via video audition and notified in the Spring, with preferred placement auditions due by February 28th, and second round auditions due by March 28th. Significant scholarship aid toward camp tuition is available for those who qualify. To submit your audition, complete the scholarship application at Scholarships.
The Masterworks Orchestra challenges advanced high school musicians with original, unedited, standard orchestral repertoire by studying and performing one major work during the 12-day session. The winds and percussion in the Masterworks Orchestra are comprised of qualified high school students who have successfully auditioned in advance. The 2025 repertoire for Session 1 is Mendelssohn — Symphony No. 5 in D Major, op. 107 (“Reformation”). Repertoire for Session 2 is Tchaikovsky — , op. 20a. Masterworks strings are selected via video placement just prior to arrival at camp.
Strings who are enrolled as Orchestra majors in Sessions 1 or 2 are automatically considered for Masterworks placement once they have submitted their pre-arrival placement video prior to the camp session. Advanced student winds and percussion are selected via video audition and notified earlier in the Spring, with preferred placement auditions due by February 28th, and second round auditions due by March 28th. Significant scholarship aid toward camp tuition is available for those who qualify. To review audition requirements and submit your audition, visit Scholarships.
Instrumentation for Session 1– Mendelssohn Symphony No. 5: 2 flute, 2 oboe, 2 clarinet, 3 bassoon (1 contrabassoon), 2 horn, 2 trumpet, 3 trombone, timpani
Instrumentation for Session 2– Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Suite: 3 flute (1 piccolo), 2 oboe, 2 clarinet, 2 bassoon, 4 horn, 4 trumpet, 3 trombone, tuba, timpani, percussion (triangle, bass drum, cymbal), harp
The High School Symphony and Concert Orchestras provide student members a range of challenging orchestral repertoire. Student strings are placed in these ensembles based upon a pre-arrival placement video. Student winds and percussion interested in orchestra must initially enroll in “Band” and are also selected based on their pre-arrival placement videos. Those ranking the highest in their sections are assigned to Orchestra Winds & Percussion. These students perform in two orchestra wind sections (symphony and concert) and will participate in sectionals, technique classes, and chamber music ensembles as scheduling permits.
Orchestra Sessions 3 and 4
During sessions 3 and 4 (Intermediate/Middle School level), ensembles include Symphony Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, and String Orchestra. Each of the Intermediate orchestras provide students with a range of challenging orchestral repertoire. The repertoire for all the orchestras will be announced on opening day of the session, and previous repertoire has included selections such as: Schubert’s Rosamunde Overture, Bizet’s Carmen Suite No. 2, Verdi’s Overture to Nabucco, Piazzolla’s Libertango, Lucas’ Tatarian Dances, Stills’ Danzas de Panama, Britten’s Simple Symphony and Coleridge-Taylor’s selections from Africa Suite. Students are placed in ensembles based upon their pre-arrival placement video. Student winds/percussion ranking the highest in their sections are assigned to Orchestra Winds & Percussion. These students perform in two orchestra wind sections (symphony and concert) and participate in sectionals, technique classes, and chamber music ensembles as scheduling permits.
Junior Orchestra Program
Blue Lake also offers a string orchestra program for younger students with less musical experience at Camp Bernstein. For more details, see Junior Camp.
Blue Lake International
During the summer season, each orchestra student will have the opportunity to apply for the International Youth Symphony Orchestra, which will tour Europe during the following summer as part of Blue Lake’s International Exchange Program.
Orchestra Conductors 2025
Session 1
Blue Lake Camerata – Douglas Droste, Baldwin Wallace University, Berea, OH
Masterworks Orchestra – John Riegel, Hilliard Darby High School, Hilliard, OH
Symphony Orchestra – Willie McAllister Jr., retired, Detroit Public Schools, Farmington Hills, MI
Concert Orchestra – Jessica Fiedorowicz, South Haven Public Schools, South Haven, MI
Session 2
Blue Lake Camerata – Dr. Raphael Jiménez, Oberlin Conservatory, Oberlin, OH
Masterworks Orchestra – Dr. Keith Dodson, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI
Symphony Orchestra – James Van Eizenga, Novi Community School District, Farmington Hills, MI
Concert Orchestra – Dr. Diego Piedra, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN
Session 3
Symphony Orchestra – James Roach, retired, Kalamazoo Public Schools, Portage, MI
Concert Orchestra – James Gross, Grosse Pointe South High School, Grosse Pointe Park, MI
Marek String Orchestra – Dr. Luis Fernandez, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Appleton, WI
Bartlett String Orchestra – Dr. Jose Rocha, Ohio University, Athens, OH
Session 4
Symphony Orchestra – Peter Lograsso, retired, Northbrook School District 27, Westchester, IL
Concert Orchestra – Dave Farquhar, retired, Villa Park School District, Lombard, IL
Marek String Orchestra – TBA
Orchestra
The Orchestra Program is designed to challenge string students of all proficiency levels. Students are grouped by ability within one of several orchestras after submitting a placement video prior to the camp session. Our orchestra conducting faculty selects a challenging repertoire for each level of ensemble, featuring works by traditional and contemporary composers including Grieg, Telemann, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Beethoven, Vivaldi, Schumann, Vaughan Williams, Dvorak, Elgar, Ireland, Bruch, DeFalla, Coleridge-Taylor, Still, Piazzolla, and Mendelssohn.Students receive five hours of intensive daily full rehearsals, sectionals, and technique classes.
Students can complete their instructional day by choosing a Minor, allowing them to experience another area of interest while at camp. Students also have the opportunity to attend Summer Arts Festival performances, as well as participate in recreation, camp activities, and attend arts-focused educational events in the evening.
Orchestra Conductors 2026
Session 1
Blue Lake Camerata – Dr. Alexander Jiménez, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Masterworks Orchestra – Bradley Pfeil, Neuqua Valley High School, Naperville, IL
Symphony Orchestra – Willie McAllister Jr., retired, Detroit Public Schools, Farmington Hills, MI
Concert Orchestra – Jessica Fiedorowicz, South Haven Public Schools, South Haven, MI
Session 2
Blue Lake Camerata – Dr. Raphael Jiménez, Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Oberlin, OH
Masterworks Orchestra – Wendy Stuart, Troy School District, West Bloomfield, MI
Symphony Orchestra – James Van Eizenga, Novi Community School District, Farmington Hills, MI
Concert Orchestra – Dr. Diego Piedra, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN
Session 3
Symphony Orchestra – Dr. Luis Fernandez, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Appleton, WI
Concert Orchestra – James Gross, Grosse Pointe South High School, Grosse Pointe Park, MI
Marek String Orchestra – Dr. Jose Rocha, Ohio University, Athens, OH
Session 4
Symphony Orchestra – Peter Lograsso, retired, Northbrook School District 27, Westchester, IL
Concert Orchestra – Dave Farquhar, retired, Villa Park School District, Lombard, IL
High School Orchestra
During sessions 1 and 2 (High School level), the ensembles include Camerata, Masterworks Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, and Concert Orchestra.
The High School Symphony and Concert Orchestras provide student members a range of challenging orchestral repertoire. Student strings are placed in these ensembles based upon a pre-arrival placement video. Student winds and percussion interested in orchestra must initially enroll in “Band” and are also selected based on their pre-arrival placement videos. Those ranking the highest in their sections are assigned to Orchestra Winds & Percussion. These students perform in two orchestra wind sections (symphony and concert) and will participate in sectionals, technique classes, and chamber music ensembles as scheduling permits.
Camerata
Session 1 Camerata, Dr. Alexander Jiménez, conductor
W. A. Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Gary Fletcher: Scherzo on American Themes
William Grant Still: Lyric Suite
Session 1 Festival Orchestra, Dr. Alexander Jiménez, conductor
Morton Gould: American Salute
George Gershwin: An American in Paris
William Schuman: New England Triptych
J.P. Sousa: The Stars and Stripes Forever
Session 2 Camerata, Dr. Raphael Jiménez, conductor
Witold Lutoslawski: Five Folk Melodies
Florence Price: Adoration (arr. Alexandra Dee)
Carl Nielsen: Little Suite for Strings Op. 1
Session 2 Festival Orchestra, Dr. Raphael Jiménez, conductor
Pietro Mascagni: Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4
Members of the Blue Lake Camerata are selected via video audition and notified in the Spring, with preferred placement auditions due by February 28th, and second round auditions due by March 28th. Significant scholarship aid toward camp tuition is available for those who qualify. To submit your audition, complete the scholarship application at Scholarships.
The Camerata offers the most advanced string players a professional orchestra experience. Camerata members rehearse daily with Blue Lake’s faculty and staff in the Summer Arts Festival Orchestra and perform significant works of standard repertoire on the Saturday evening Blue Lake Public Radio worldwide broadcast for the radio audience and an audience of 1,500 in Stewart Shell. The Camerata also performs its own recital on the final Sunday of the session. In addition to ensemble and sectional rehearsals, members’ educational day includes private lessons, individual practice, and mentorship from distinguished faculty, conductors, and guest artists.
Masterworks Orchestra
The Masterworks Orchestra challenges advanced high school musicians with original, unedited, standard orchestral repertoire by studying and performing one major work during the 12-day session. The winds and percussion in the Masterworks Orchestra are comprised of qualified high school students who have successfully auditioned in advance. The 2026 repertoire for Session 1 is Shostakovich — Symphony No. 5 in D Minor, op. 47. Repertoire for Session 2 is Tchaikovsky — Suite from Swan Lake, op. 20a. Masterworks strings are selected via video placement just prior to arrival at camp.
Strings who are enrolled as Orchestra majors in Sessions 1 or 2 are automatically considered for Masterworks placement once they have submitted their pre-arrival placement video prior to the camp session. Advanced student winds and percussion are selected via video audition and notified earlier in the Spring, with preferred placement auditions due by February 28th, and second round auditions due by March 28th. Significant scholarship aid toward camp tuition is available for those who qualify. To review audition requirements and submit your audition, visit Scholarships.
Instrumentation for Session 1– Shostakovich Symphony No. 5: 2 flute, 2 oboe, 2 clarinet, 2 bassoon, 4 horn, 3 trumpet, 3 trombone, 1 tuba, harps, timpani, percussion
Instrumentation for Session 2– Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Suite: 3 flute (1 piccolo), 2 oboe, 2 clarinet, 2 bassoon, 4 horn, 4 trumpet, 3 trombone, tuba, timpani, percussion (triangle, bass drum, cymbal), harp
Intermediate Orchestra
During sessions 3 and 4 (Intermediate/Middle School level), ensembles include Symphony Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, and String Orchestra. Each of the Intermediate orchestras provide students with a range of challenging orchestral repertoire. The repertoire for all the orchestras will be announced on opening day of the session, and previous repertoire has included selections such as: Schubert’s Rosamunde Overture, Bizet’s Carmen Suite No. 2, Verdi’s Overture to Nabucco, Piazzolla’s Libertango, Lucas’ Tatarian Dances, Stills’ Danzas de Panama, Britten’s Simple Symphony and Coleridge-Taylor’s selections from Africa Suite. Students are placed in ensembles based upon their pre-arrival placement video. Student winds/percussion ranking the highest in their sections are assigned to Orchestra Winds & Percussion. These students perform in two orchestra wind sections (symphony and concert) and participate in sectionals, technique classes, and chamber music ensembles as scheduling permits.
Junior Orchestra Program
Blue Lake also offers a junior orchestra program for younger students, grades 5 – 8, at Camp Bernstein. Designed for less experienced musicians who will benefit from a non-competitive learning environment, Camp Bernstein offers activities and a daily schedule tailored for younger campers.