Southeastern Louisiana University

Community Music School presents 'Summer Music Celebration' camps

Contact: Christina Chapple

4/23/09

     HAMMOND -- Registration is now underway for the Southeastern Louisiana University Community Music School’s “Summer Music Celebration,” a series of new summer camps for talented and motivated young musicians.

     “Summer Music Celebration 2009” includes a high school band, piano duet, violin and guitar camps, said CMS Director Kenneth Boulton.

     Musicians in grades eight through 12 have until June 1 to register for the high school band camp, which will take place July 6-11, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at the Pottle Music Building. Tuition is $230.

     The piano duet, violin and guitar camps are scheduled for July 13-17, 9 a.m.-noon. Tuition for each is $150. May 15 is the deadline for the piano duet camp, while June 19 is the final day to sign up for the violin and guitar camps.

     Southeastern’s Associate Band Director Paul Frechou will coordinate the high school band camp, which will also feature top faculty such as Lee Hicks, Kevin Estoque, Richard Schwartz, Rachel Ciraldo, Jerry Voorhees, Ronald Benko, and Southeastern Director of Bands Glen Hemberger. 

     Boulton said faculty will offer masterclasses focusing on 2009 All-State and District Honor Band audition music. Students can also choose special electives on jazz improvisation, tips for auditioning for a drum corps, drum major, double reed making, and wind band conducting with Hemberger.

     “Special guest artists will include the fabulous New Orleans Nightcrawlers,” Boulton said.

     Boulton said the piano duet camp will offer intermediate to advanced junior high and high school piano students the chance to explore the rich literature for piano four-hands. Enrollment is limited to 16 students.

     “Each student will be matched with a partner of similar age and ability, and be involved in daily coaching sessions, musicianship classes, masterclasses, and a final recital,” said Boulton, who will conduct the camp with his wife and piano duet partner JoAnne Barry and pianists Raisa Voldman, Jo Morrow, and Dana Morse. 

     “Our violin camp will offer junior high and high school students the opportunity to experience the colorful and engaging style of ‘fiddling,’” Boulton said. “Along with exploring the spirited music and choreography of this genre, students will also have the option of working on traditional violin techniques.”

     The violin camp will be directed by the Southeastern Community Music School’s Jivka Jeleva.

     "Our guitar camp, 'Play the Whole Song!', is open to students of all ages and skill levels," Boulton said. It will be taught by Southeastern guitar instructor Pat Kerber.

     “The camp will focus on a very common problem for young guitarists -- how to play popular songs that are typically written and recorded by advanced professionals,” Boulton said.  “Classical guitar will also be offered for those interested.”

     Additional information about Summer Music Celebration camps is available through the Southeastern Community Music School, www.selu.edu/smc or 985-549-5502. Boulton said that CMS is also offering private instrumental and vocal lessons through its regular summer session, June 8-July 23.