As a student musician, summer can be a great time to gain more training and more practice. If you are serious about pursuing music in the future or you just want to spend more time around talented musicians practicing your craft, summer music programs may be a great option for you. There are so many programs all across the country that provide great opportunities for learning and growing as a musician, but this list will focus specifically on the most well known and acclaimed institutes/workshops/programs. Agoura High musicians have attended many of these programs, so if you have any questions about student life, daily schedules, etc., feel free to email [email protected] or ask any of the Tri-M officers or band directors to direct you to someone who can answer your questions! Applications generally open up in October/November and close anywhere from January-June, but make sure to stay on top of things if you want to be accepted into a top program! Also, if there is a specific college that you are interested in attending because you want to study with a particular professor, you want to live in a certain city, etc., check that college’s website to see if they have any summer programs that are hosted there!
Orchestral Programs
Interlochen Center of the Arts
Idyllwild Arts
Boston University Tanglewood Institute
MPulse Performing Arts Institutes
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp
Jazz Programs
Centrum Jazz Port Townsend
Stanford Jazz Workshop
Idyllwild Arts Summer Jazz Workshop
Vocal Programs
Interlochen Center of the Arts
Idyllwild Arts
Boston University Tanglewood Institute
MPulse Performing Arts Institutes
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp
Interlochen Center of the Arts
- Duration: 1-6 weeks
- Program(s): World Youth Symphony Orchestra, Interlochen Philharmonic, World Youth Wind Symphony, Instrument Specific Intensives
- Website: http://camp.interlochen.org/program/music/hs/orchestra-wind-symphony
Idyllwild Arts
- Duration: 2-4 weeks
- Program(s): Wind Symphony Intensive, Symphony Orchestra Intensive, Chamber Festival Intensive
- Website: http://www.idyllwildarts.org/summer/teens-kids/music/
Boston University Tanglewood Institute
- Duration: 2-6 weeks
- Program(s): Instrument Specific Intensives, Young Artist Orchestra, Young Artist Wind Ensemble
- Website: https://www.bu.edu/cfa/tanglewood/program/
MPulse Performing Arts Institutes
- Duration: 1-2 weeks
- Program(s): Instrument Specific Intensives
- Website: http://music.umich.edu/special_programs/youth/mpulse/institutes.htm
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp
- Duration: 2 weeks
- Program(s): Band, Orchestra
- Website: https://bluelake.org/majors/
Jazz Programs
Centrum Jazz Port Townsend
- Duration: 1 week
- Program(s): Jazz Workshop (requires audition)
- Website: http://centrum.org/jazz-port-townsend-the-workshop/
Stanford Jazz Workshop
- Duration: 1-3 weeks
- Program(s): Jazz Camp (1 or 2 weeks, no audition) or Jazz Institute (1 week, requires audition)
- Website: https://stanfordjazz.org/
Idyllwild Arts Summer Jazz Workshop
- Duration: 2 weeks
- Program(s): Jazz Instrumental Intensive (no audition)
- Website: http://www.idyllwildarts.org/summer/teens-kids/music/
Vocal Programs
Interlochen Center of the Arts
- Duration: 2-6 weeks
- Programs(s): Singer-Songwriter, Vocal Artist
- Website: http://camp.interlochen.org/program/music/hs/vocal
Idyllwild Arts
- Duration: 2 weeks
- Program(s): Festival Choir Intensive, Songwriting Intensive
- Website: http://www.idyllwildarts.org/summer/teens-kids/music/
Boston University Tanglewood Institute
- Duration: 3-6 weeks
- Program(s): Young Artists Vocal Program
- Website: https://www.bu.edu/cfa/tanglewood/program/
MPulse Performing Arts Institutes
- Duration: 1 week
- Program(s): Vocal Arts Intensive
- Website: http://music.umich.edu/special_programs/youth/mpulse/institutes.htm
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp
- Duration: 2 weeks
- Program(s): Choir
- Website: https://bluelake.org/majors/