SEMYO Summer Camp 2022
Southeastern Minnesota Youth Orchestra (SEMYO) is pleased to offer several affordable week-long summer music camps for students of all ages with experience on a string, woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. SEMYO music camps are a great opportunity for student musicians to gain new skills, make new friends, and stay in shape over the summer while having fun playing in a musical ensemble!
SEMYO will partner with Rochester Community Education to offer our popular jazz band and string orchestra camps that will be held at Century High School. Our community Dive into Orchestra and Dive into Band Camps are offered directly through SEMYO and will be held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.
Please read the description below for each camp and click on the link to register (registration for each camp will open in early March).
For questions please e-mail Corey Henke at chenke@semyo.org or call 507-282-1718.
June 13-17 - Jazz Band Camps
Middle School Jazz Band
Monday, June 13 — Friday, June 17
9 a.m. to Noon (daily)
Century High School (2525 Viola RD NE)
Cost: $90
Click here to register through Community Education
Learn jazz style, technique, and improvisation while rehearsing and performing in a jazz band. The camp is open to students starting grades 7-9 in the fall with at least one year playing experience on any band instrument. Students with experience on piano, bass, or guitar are also invited to register. Levi Kimmet, band director at Lakeview Area Public Schools, will return as the instructor. No prior jazz experience necessary but students must know how to read music.
High School Jazz Band
Monday, June 13 — Friday, June 17
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (daily)
Century High School (2525 Viola RD NE)
Cost: $90
Click here to register through Community Education
Learn jazz style, technique, and improvisation while rehearsing and performing in a jazz band. The camp is open to students going into grades 10-12 or who have four or more years’ experience on any band instrument. Students with experience on piano, bass, or guitar also invited to register. Levi Kimmet, band director at Lakeview Area Public Schools, will return as the instructor.
June 20-24 Dive Into Orchestra & Band Camps
Dive Into Orchestra Camp
Monday, June 20 —Friday, June 24
9 AM-Noon (daily)
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (1212 12th Ave NW, Rochester)
Cost: $50
Dive into Orchestra camp is a fun and immersive camp for enthusiastic students who play violin, viola, cello, or bass. The camp is open to students in grades 5 and up who have completed one year of orchestra in school or who recently started taking private lessons. The camp will be led by SEMYO staff conductors Lori Ringen-Poencet and Robyn Watts.
Click Here For More Information and To Register for Dive Into Orchestra Camp
Dive Into Band Camp
Monday, June 20 — Friday, June 24
1-4 PM (daily)
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (1212 12th Ave NW, Rochester)
Cost: $50
Click Here For More Information and To Register for Dive Into Band Camp
Dive into Band is a fun and immersive camp for enthusiastic students who play a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. The camp is open to students currently in grades 4-7 who have completed one year of band in school or who recently started taking private lessons. Sarah Vinzant, Band Director at Kasson-Mantorville Middle School will be the instructor for the camp.
July 11-15 String Orchestra Camps
Prelude Strings Camp
Monday, July 11 – Friday, July 15
9 AM – Noon (daily)
Century High School (2525 Viola Rd NE)
Click here to register through Community Education
Students in Grade 5-8 who play violin, viola, cello, or bass are invited to participate in a string orchestra camp. Students will learn basic ensemble playing skills while rehearsing and performing in a string orchestra. Violinist and conductor James Buchan will teach the camp. Mr. Buchan has 30 years of conducting and teaching experience and was formerly a member of the New World Symphony and Hong Kong Philharmonic. Sheet music will be sent via e-mail before the camp starts.
Playing level: For students with 2 or more years playing experience or Suzuki book level 3. Students must know how to read music.
Symphonic Strings Camp
Monday, July 11 – Friday, July 15
1 PM – 4 PM (daily)
Century High School (2525 Viola Rd NE)
Click here to register through Community Education
Experienced student musicians who play violin, viola, cello, or bass are invited to participate in string orchestra camp. Students will learn advanced instrument and ensemble technique while preparing original masterworks for string orchestra. Violinist and conductor James Buchan will teach the camp. Mr. Buchan has thirty years of conducting and teaching experience and was formerly a member of the New World Symphony and Hong Kong Philharmonic. There will be a public performance at a local senior center on the last day of camp.
Playing Level: For advanced high-school string players with 4 or more years playing experience.
