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Voxman Music Building

Iowa Summer Music Camps!

The UI School of Music, housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, invites students who have completed sixth grade and above to the University of Iowa for specialized musical training during one of our summer music camp sessions.

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UI School of Music's Iowa Summer Music Camps inspire young musicians.

School musicians who have completed the sixth grade and above may apply for admission as either resident or commuter campers. Please note that some of our camps have specific requirements of grade in school completed or years of performing experience for the participants. 

To apply, click on the "Registration" button above, and complete the on-line registration. If you have any questions, please contact Amanda Stout in the ISMC Office at 319-335-1315 or by e-mail at: amanda-stout@uiowa.edu.

All students are required to attend all rehearsals, activities and concerts. Some camps have limited capacity, so they may close prior to the application deadline date if the enrollment limit is reached.

The Iowa Summer Music Camps (ISMC) offers students musical training and experience beyond what may be available in their home schools, including group instruction, master classes, and classroom instruction in many phases of instrumental music. The entire program, together with a preview of life on a major university campus, is a valuable experience for young people, not only in music but also in human relations.

This summer, the Iowa Summer Music Camps will offer educational experiences in Jazz, Percussion, Horn, Voice, Piano, Organ, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Saxophone, Flute, Trumpet and Low Brass.  The faculty for all camps are University of Iowa School of Music faculty and nationally-recognized guest artists.

The camp day begins at 9:00AM and ends at 4:30PM, and lunch break is from 11:30AM-1:00PM. The camp schedule may be altered on Fridays to accommodate camp concerts and check out.

 

SESSION ONE: JUNE 15-20, 2025 


FEATURING: OBOE, CLARINET, BASSOON, SAXOPHONE, HORN, LOW BRASS (Euphonium & Tuba), PERCUSSION IMMERSION, PIANO, and VOICE

 

OBOE
Dr. David Cyzak, clinician and coordinator

Students enrolled in this camp will improve their overall playing on oboe. The camp will include warm-up sessions, group lessons, one-on-one lessons, technique work, presentations on related topics, reed making and preparation, double reed ensembles, and student and faculty recitals. For additional information about Oboe Camp, contact Dr. Cyzak at david-cyzak@uiowa.edu.

 

CLARINET
Jorge Montilla, clinician and coordinator

Students enrolled in this summer camp will improve their overall clarinet playing. This intense but fun camp will include warm up sessions, group lessons, one-on-one lessons, basic /intermediate/advanced technique, clinics about clarinet related subjects, clarinet choir rehearsals, small clarinet ensembles, equipment, reed preparation, and students/faculty concerts. For additional information about Clarinet Camp, contact Professor Montilla at jorge-montillamoreno@uiowa.edu.
 

BASSOON
Benjamin Coelho, clinician and coordinator

Students enrolled in this camp will improve their overall playing on bassoon. The camp will include warm-up sessions, group lessons, one-on-one lessons, technique work, presentations on related topics, reed making and preparation, double reed ensembles, and student and faculty recitals. For additional information about Bassoon Camp, contact Professor Coelho at benjamin-coelho@uiowa.edu.
 

NATIONAL YOUTH SUMMER SAXOPHONE CAMP
Dr. Kenneth Tse, clinician and coordinator
NOTE: Limited to 12 participants.

Designed for intermediate through advanced high school students with a maximum number of 12 saxophonists. This camp includes master classes, group warm-up sessions, reed classes, quartet coaching, student concert, and saxophone ensemble! This course is geared toward students who plan to pursue a college degree in saxophone performance or music education.  Existing quartets and international students are encouraged to apply.  For master class performances, students should bring at least 2 prepared pieces (with scores).   Students will be required to practice at least 2 hours each day.

Enrollment in this camp is limited to 12 students. If interested, please contact Dr. Kenneth Tse directly by email at kenneth-tse@uiowa.edu and provide him with the following information:

Name

Number of years playing the saxophone

Teacher's Name (Private lesson teacher, if applicable)

Grade level

IMPORTANT: Students should not submit payment for Saxophone Camp using the online registration form that is used for the other camps. Students that are accepted into the camp by Dr. Tse will be sent a link for the Saxophone Camp Registration Form which can be used for registration and payment.

 

HORN (French horn)
Dr. Katy Ambrose, clinician and coordinator

Students enrolled in the Iowa Summer Horn Camp will improve their performance skills and their knowledge about the horn (French horn). This intense but fun camp will include daily large group sessions including: morning warm-ups, breathing class to encourage efficient sound production, technique class to develop embouchure and improve left hand/tongue coordination, ear training to isolate and improve accuracy on and off the horn, repertoire class where students will be introduced to appropriate horn etudes & solo repertoire, performance anxiety to introduce several strategies for managing stage fright, and equipment, maintenance & repair.

In addition to these large-group sessions, students will participate in: small-group lessons, one-on-one lessons, and horn choir rehearsals (parts will be modified as necessary to include younger players)

The week will culminate in a recital featuring the student horn choir, faculty/student collaborations, and solo performances from students (volunteer-based). No one will be compelled to publicly perform but performing with the horn choir is highly encouraged. Participation in large horn choir provides a unique opportunity, especially for younger students, to be part of a chamber music performance while in the accepting environment of other horn players who will also be cracking, splatting, and missing notes.

For more information about Horn Camp, contact Dr. Ambrose: katy-ambrose@uiowa.edu

 

LOW BRASS (Euphonium & Tuba)
John Manning, clinician and coordinator

Students enrolled in this camp will improve their overall playing on euphonium or tuba. The camp will include warm-up sessions, group lessons, one-on-one lessons, technique work, presentations on related topics, ensembles, and student and faculty recitals. For additional information about Low Brass Camp, contact Professor Manning at: john-manning@uiowa.edu

 

PERCUSSION IMMERSION
Dr. Nick Miller, clinician and coordinator

Immerse yourself in five days of interactive clinics, masterclasses, and rehearsals led by internationally-recognized performers and educators Ginny Armstrong, Mat Britain, and others. Sessions will focus on a range of percussion disciplines such as snare drum, mallets, concert percussion, improvisation, multi-percussion, world percussion, and steel band. For additional information about Percussion Immersion Camp, contact Dr. Miller at nick-j-miller@uiowa.edu

 

PIANO
Dr. Alan Huckleberry, clinician and coordinator

Campers will be exposed to a wide variety of piano-related topics in a focused, serious, but non-competitive atmosphere. They will receive daily piano lessons with UI faculty.  For the lessons, students should bring 2-3 pieces (with scores) at the difficulty of least the equivalent of level “D” (according to the IMTA syllabus).  Of these pieces, at least one should be performance ready (memorized).  Students will be required to practice 2 hours per day on our Steinway grand pianos. Further highlights of the camp include classes in music theory,piano literature, sight-reading, and music technology.  Special events will include faculty and student recitals. For additional information about Piano Camp, contact Dr. Huckleberry at: alan-huckleberry@uiowa.edu

 

VOICE
Dr. Élise DesChamps, clinician and coordinator
Limited to students that have completed 7th grade through high school graduation.

This 5-day vocal workshop is designed for talented, striving, and enthusiastic high school students who have a strong passion for musical theatre and song literature, and who have a desire to prepare for college auditions. Voice, movement, and acting are important parts of the program. The singers are led by university faculty and local professionals, as well as thriving students at the university. 

During the intensive college-preparatory experience, students receive private lessons, group sessions, vocal coachings, participate in daily master classes, take courses in movement and acting, lyric diction, vocal health, college audition preparation, performance skills, and varied stage craft. Each student will also receive a wide range of performance experiences including solo and ensemble work, recitals featuring students and faculty, master classes with professionals, and mock auditions. The voice camp will take place at the beautiful Voxman building in the heart of the University of Iowa campus.

For more information about Iowa Summer Voice Camp, contact Dr. DesChamps: elise-deschamps@uiowa.edu

The camp day begins at 9:00AM and ends at 4:30PM, and lunch break is from 11:30AM-1:00PM. The camp schedule may be altered on Friday.

 

PLEASE NOTE: ORGAN CAMP IS CLOSED.

 

SESSION TWO: JUNE 22-27, 2025
 

FEATURING: JAZZ, FLUTE, TRUMPET, and ORGAN


JAZZ
Curtis Taylor, clinician and coordinator
NOTE: Participation in Jazz Camp is limited to 50 students. 
To register, students must have at least 1 year experience playing in a jazz ensemble.
NOTE: We are accepting only 7 drum set players. 

Our jazz camp gives students opportunities to interact and perform with professional jazz musicians throughout a week of music-making in small group/combo settings. Areas of study will include jazz improvisation, jazz theory, basic arranging skills, and the art of jazz listening.  Camp activities include rehearsals, masterclasses, classes, as well as recreation and entertainment programs. Camp concerts and recitals are free and open to the public. For additional information about Jazz Camp, contact Professor Taylor at: curtis-taylor@uiowa.edu


IOWA SUMMER FLUTE CAMP
Nicole Esposito, clinician and coordinator
NOTE: Limited to 12 participants.

Designed for intermediate through advanced high school students with a maximum number of 12 flute players. This camp includes master classes, group warm-up sessions, flute ensemble, and student concert! This course is geared toward students who plan to pursue a college degree in flute performance or music education.  For master class performances, students should bring at least 2 prepared pieces (with scores).   

Enrollment in this camp is limited to 12 students, and there is a pre-screening process. If interested, please email Professor Nicole Esposito at: nicole-esposito@uiowa.edu with the following information and items:

  1. Name

2.  Number of years playing the flute

3.  Teacher's Name (Private lesson teacher, if applicable)

4.  Grade level

5.  Video recording of a piece of your choice (2-3 minutes). Accompaniment is not required.

IMPORTANT: Students should not submit payment for the Iowa Summer Flute Camp using the online registration form that is used for the other camps. Students that are accepted into the camp by Professor Esposito will be sent a link for the Iowa Summer Flute Camp registration form which can be used for registration and payment.


TRUMPET
Michael Gause, clinician and coordinator

Students enrolled in this camp will improve their overall playing on trumpet. The camp will include warm-up sessions, group lessons, one-on-one lessons, technique work, presentations on related topics, ensembles, and student and faculty recitals. For additional information about Trumpet Camp, contact Professor Gause at: michael-gause@uiowa.edu


ORGAN - ORGAN CAMP IS CLOSED.
Dr. Gregory Hand, clinician and coordinator

Organ Camp is open to keyboardists with or without prior organ experience.  Campers will receive daily organ lessons with UI faculty,  learn about organ literature, music theory, and the fundamentals of organ building.  Students will be required to practice 2 hours per day and will have access to the practice and concert organs in Voxman Music Building.   For lessons, students with organ experience should bring 2-3 pieces, one of which should be performance ready.  Students without organ experience should bring 2-3 pieces of suitable piano music (Baroque or Classical) that we can transfer to the organ.  We will also provide you with organ music to use during the camp.  Students must bring a pair of organ shoes.  Special events will include faculty and student recitals. 

Contact Dr. Hand at gregory-hand@uiowa.edu if you have questions about repertoire, shoes, or any other camp questions.

Scholarships from the Frederick T. Rahn Jr. Memorial Fund are available for camp organists. To apply, students should send a video of a performance (can be piano or organ) and a one-paragraph essay on their experience with organ to Dr. Hand at gregory-hand@uiowa.edu.

 

 

To register, use the online ISMC application form and credit card payment option on the Registration page.

If you have questions, contact Amanda Stout at 319.335.1315 or amanda-stout@uiowa.edu.