Music Minors

Campfire Guitar

Students have fun while learning, writing, and exchanging chord-style songs associated with the tradition of American camping. These tunes are best enjoyed while hanging out on a starry summer night with friends around a warm campfire. All levels of ability are welcome. Students should have basic familiarity with tuning their own guitar and reading chord diagrams. Blue Lake does not provide instruments; campers must bring their own guitar.

Try A New Instrument

Students selecting the New Instrument minor receive group and individual instruction on several instruments within a musical instrument family. Students work with all listed instruments during camp and present a small demonstration for each other at the end of the session. Select one of the following instrument areas on your application:

Woodwind (flute, clarinet, and alto saxophone ) Brass (trumpet, horn, trombone)

Strings (violin and cello)

Percussion (mallets, snare, and accessories)

Support for these classes is provided by Meyer Music Company. Open only to campers majoring in Music programs (Band, Orchestra, Jazz, Piano, Harp, Choir, and Musical Theater).

Harp

The Harp minor gives campers with no previous experience the chance to try the harp for the first time. Class instruction includes beginning harp technique and study of introductory harp repertoire. In order to be successful in the harp minor, students are expected to already read the treble and bass clefs. Each camper is provided with a Lyon and Healy Troubadour lever harp for their use during class time. Students present an informal mini-demonstration for fellow campers at the conclusion of the session. This minor is not available for harp majors.

Piano - Introductory

The introductory Piano minor offers group classes for the student who has had no previous experience with the keyboard, led by Blue Lake’s distinguished piano faculty. Ten classes are divided into group instruction and individual practice time. This minor is not available for piano majors.

Piano - Intermediate - Advanced

The Intermediate-Advanced Piano minor provides students who are currently studying piano at home a combination of two master classes, four private lessons, supervised practice time, and an opportunity to perform for other piano minor students on the final Saturday of the session. Students should have at least two years of private study prior to camp, and must bring a piece of classical music ready to play for their teacher at the first meeting. Students should also plan to bring other current repertoire to camp. This minor is not available for piano majors.

Conducting

Taught by Blue Lake’s distinguished conducting faculty, the Conducting minor prepares students for the potential of future artistic leadership within their own musical journeys. Through group instruction and practice with scores and recordings, students learn to conduct basic beat patterns, preparations and cutoffs, cues, fermati, tempo changes, and dynamics. Other activities include up-close observation of the Blue Lake Summer Arts Festival ensemble rehearsals and their professional conductors. The ability to read treble and bass clefs is highly recommended. A conducting baton is provided to all students and is theirs to keep at the end of the session. Open only to campers majoring in Music programs (Band, Orchestra, Jazz, Piano, Harp, Choir, and Musical Theater).

Intro to Musical Score Study

Students enrolled in the Introduction to Score Study minor gain key skills necessary to read a full score, such as interpreting score mechanics, musical terminology, score order, instrument names in foreign languages, and transposition of various instruments. Through listening and analysis, students also learn how to synthesize sight and sound, dissect components of the music, follow a motif by looking for melodic and rhythmic patterns, as well as review a range of interpretations of famous pieces and excerpts. Students also discover different types of musical forms used within orchestra, band, choir, jazz band, opera, and musical theater genres. Open only to campers majoring in Music programs (Band, Orchestra, Jazz, Piano, Harp, Choir, and Musical Theater).

Music Theory

The Music Theory minor introduces beginning, intermediate, and advanced students to the fundamentals of music theory. A solid foundation in music theory is a critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to understanding and playing music accurately. The Music Theory minor helps student musicians learn more about the mechanics within the written language of music. An initial placement survey assists instructors in assessing students’ individual abilities, and all students will be challenged at a level appropriate for their understanding and development. Advanced students may be given unique assignments to complete independently. Piano and Harp majors receive theory as a part of their instructional day and are therefore not eligible for this minor.

Choir

Through full ensemble rehearsals, the Choir minor introduces students to a variety of vocal and choral styles including traditional (sacred and secular), contemporary, popular, swing, and Broadway. Instruction in vocal production, diction and interpretation, sight-singing, and musicianship will be emphasized. This course is for students with minimum to moderate vocal experience – all abilities welcome! This course culminates with a brief mini-demonstration for other campers. This minor is not available for Choir majors.

Musical Theater Vocal Techniques

Explore and experiment with the different styles of singing used in Musical Theater productions. Vocalists in theater productions act through song, and the song becomes an extension of the scene. Learn strategies for a variety of styles from tender love songs to triumphant belts while shaping phrases, using expression, and keeping in character. Improve technique, diction, projection, and breath support. Learn how to pick the best repertoire for your own voice. This is a great class to brush up skills before audition season. Open to all, but students should have previous vocal experience (choir, theater, etc) and should be able to read music.

Jazz Improv

The Jazz Improv minor introduces student instrumentalists to Jazz, a uniquely American art form. This class also allows students to explore elements of improvisation, a musical technique at the heart of all Jazz genres. Students will learn about the melodic, rhythmic, and articulation concepts unique to jazz, as well as the fundamentals of basic improvisation. The legacy of Jazz music will also be explored as students learn to identify its many styles including blues, ragtime, swing, bebop, cool jazz, hard bop, free jazz, fusion, and other trends. Students focus on recorded musical examples to study musicians, performance practices, and musical elements that define jazz, and also have the opportunity to experiment musically. Enrollment is available for all instruments, including instruments which would be considered non-traditional for jazz (ex: double-reeds, euphoniums, violas, etc).

Jazz Band

The Jazz Band minor provides students an opportunity to experience traditional big band music. This ensemble emphasizes the development of rhythmic and articulation concepts unique to jazz, as well as the fundamentals of improvisation. Enrollment is limited to instrumentation requirements for a standard big-band (alto, tenor, and bari saxes, trumpets, trombones, piano, bass, and drums), and students should have at least two years of musical experience. Jazz percussionists are required to bring their own snare drum and stand, sticks, and brushes. This course culminates with a short performance for other campers. This minor is not available for Jazz majors.