THE ST. OLAF CAMP EXPERIENCE
Join other highly-skilled high school musicians from across the nation for an exciting week of music-making featuring our internationally-acclaimed ensemble directors and members of the talented St. Olaf music faculty. Specialized lessons are offered in voice, piano, and all orchestral and band instruments. Students attend classes, one-on-one lessons, rehearsals, master classes, and participate in large ensemble (band, orchestra, choir) and small ensemble (quartet, quintet) experiences. Student or faculty recitals take place each evening followed by campus social activities led by current St. Olaf student counselors. The week culminates in a final concert in Boe Chapel. Families of campers are encouraged to attend!
The St. Olaf Music Academy is ideal for high school students entering grades 9-12 who aim to pursue a music major as well as students who enjoy making music at a high level and may pursue other areas of academia. Located in historic Northfield, Minnesota, the St. Olaf Music Academy is a truly transformative week on the Hill.
MUSIC ACADEMY
Ages: Entering 9th – recently graduated 12th grade
This performance-based experience will challenge you to stretch your musical abilities through participation in:
- One or two major ensembles: choir, band or orchestra
- A variety of highly participatory classes
- String, brass, and woodwind chamber music groups
- Private lessons
- Performance opportunities
LESSONS
Camp tuition includes two 30-minute private lessons with music faculty, with an option to purchase two additional lessons.
Music theory
Learn about the foundational building blocks of music through scale, rhythm, and pitch study. Use music theory to support your ability to perform unfamiliar music, improvise, and understand music performance on a deeper level.
conducting
Learn basic and more advanced beat patterns and how to use your hands to express yourself musically. This will serve to help you confidently lead a music ensemble. Understand best practices that a conductor must know to be successful.
Sight singing
Improve your ability to “hear” pitches internally before singing them. Learn pointers on how to recognize different interval sounds allowing you to learn music faster and more accurately.
jazz improvisation
Discover chord structure and making music fit into a repeating bass line with possible choices for your unique instrument. This is a performative experience class; to gain the greatest benefit from this class, you will be expected to try out “new” sounds and melodies on your instrument or with your voice.
composition
Explore how to put musical ideas into written form. Learn basic counterpoint and take the first steps to turn your ideas into music. Get started with us and create your own music for various instruments.
musical theater
Integrate singing, choreography, and acting in a modern context. Develop the storyline and use of props throughout the week. This is a hands-on, performative experience class!
CHAMBER MUSIC ENSEMBLE
Work with peers in a small group, relying on learning to communicate and perform together without the benefit of a conductor. Music is chosen from “standard” composers of trios-quintets for your instrument (string, woodwind or brass). Perform in a recital at the end of the week.
Performance sampler
Explore a unique topic in each of the 5 classes throughout the week. Sample topics may include: Pipe Organ (hands and feet on), jazz, conducting stories and opera, and more.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Priority Registration closes on April 1, which guarantees roommate request and t-shirt size. After April 1, the registration fee increases to $50 until registration closes on May 1.
Frequently Asked Questions
