Dates
Jul 12 – 17
Band, Composition, Harp, Guitar, Keyboard
Jul 19 – 24
Vocal, Composition, Handbells, Keyboard, Strings
Grades
Costs
You’ll experience a well-rounded program and choose one of the specialized band, vocal, composition, handbell, harp, keyboard or strings tracks. Keyboard tracks can choose piano only, piano/composition, piano/handbells or piano/organ. Get private and large group lessons as well as the opportunity to perform in recitals and concerts at the end of the week.
You’ll benefit from daily devotionals and Bible challenge sessions that will strengthen your faith and help develop a biblical worldview. Camp instructors will demonstrate how you can glorify God by using each new skill.
Campers will be challenged to stretch their musical skills in band or string orchestra rehearsals and small ensemble rehearsals. Daily music electives, workshops and masterclasses will provide additional focus with all sessions taught by professional musicians from BJU’s Department of Instrumental Studies.
Band requirements: Campers must be capable of performing grade III and IV band literature and have a minimum of at least two years’ experience on their instrument.
String requirements: Campers must be working on literature comparable to the end of Suzuki Vol. 4 and play competently in third and fourth positions.
All string campers must submit two video auditions recorded on a phone or other device (maximum of 1.5 minutes each) prior to coming to camp.
Your first recording must include a short solo selection of your choice demonstrating your highest level of playing. The second recording will be of a short excerpt or two from the week’s orchestra literature. Specific audition and upload instructions along with the orchestra excerpts will be sent within four weeks prior to the beginning of camp after your application has been received.
The string faculty will evaluate your audition and assign your chair placement in the orchestra and your placement in a chamber group appropriate to your level of playing.
Campers may take an extended private lesson for an extra charge of $15. Please indicate on the reservation form if you wish to take an extended private lesson.
Campers will enjoy exploring and expanding their singing experience through both group and solo opportunities. The daily schedule will include:
Students will prepare performances for the final Friday concerts. Vocal Camp is led by professional musicians from BJU’s Departments of Choral and Vocal Studies.
Campers interested in composition will choose the composition/piano track under the Keyboard division. They will enjoy daily coaching in composing and arranging music in the areas of keyboard, choral and/or instrumental. Campers are encouraged to bring compositions or arrangements they are currently working on. Combo track campers will also receive piano instruction in a private lesson and group piano instruction in masterclasses and workshops. A computer lab with Dorico music software will be available for all campers.
Campers interested in handbells will choose either the handbell only track or the handbell/piano combo track under the Keyboard division during the week of July 19-24. Campers will explore different positions in both a full choir and small ensembles using more than six octaves of handbells and five and a half octaves of chimes. They will also study a variety of musical styles and techniques, such as four-in-hand, weaving, mallets, ringing multiple bass bells, bell trees and solo ringing.
Individual ringers, partial groups and full choirs are welcome. Handbell experience and equipment aren’t required, but campers must be able to read standard music notation.
Campers will experience the excitement of rehearsing and performing in small and large harp ensembles in addition to receiving individual attention in private lessons taught by BJU’s harp faculty.
Requirements: Campers must be able to perform pieces comparable to Harp Olympics Stage 2 or Sylvia Woods publications Level B or above, have working knowledge of pedals and levers, and be familiar with three-octave scales with both hands.
A limited number of pedal harps may be rented for $75, lever harps for $50. Please email ahead for availability.
Campers will experience the excitement of rehearsing and performing in guitar ensembles in addition to receiving individual attention in private lessons taught by BJU’s guitar faculty.
Requirements: Campers must be able to play pieces in first position. Notation reading skills will be very helpful but are not required.
Students must bring their own guitar and footstool. Nylon-string guitars are preferred, but steel-string acoustic are acceptable.
Campers will choose one specialized keyboard track.
Designed for campers with a minimum three years’ experience up through advanced. Campers will receive daily private instruction and ensemble playing and group piano instruction in masterclasses and workshops.
Campers without previous organ training should be able to play Bach Two-part Inventions as well as sonatas by Haydn, Mozart, Schubert or Beethoven on the piano. Combo track campers will also receive piano instruction in a private lesson and group piano instruction in masterclasses and workshops.
This track includes daily private organ lessons and sessions on service-playing and registration in addition to related topics and activities for organists.
Campers are encouraged to bring a computer with notation software and a thumb drive to save their work post-camp. A computer lab with Dorico music software will be available for all campers. Combo track campers will also receive piano instruction in a private lesson and group piano instruction in masterclasses and workshops.
Campers do not need specific handbell experience but must be able to read standard music notation. Combo track campers will also receive piano instruction in a private lesson and group piano instruction in masterclasses and workshops.
Auditions will be held on Sunday afternoon immediately following check-in to allow instructors to know where campers are in musical development. Auditions are also campers’ opportunity for chair placement in the string orchestra and band.
With the exception of the handbell-only track, all campers should bring a prepared solo or etude and will also be asked to sight-read. String orchestra and keyboard campers will audition prior to camp via a prepared video, the details of which are noted in the ‘Band or String Orchestra’ track description.
A limited number of band or string instruments are available for rental for $10 for the week (no fee for use of percussion instruments). A limited number of pedal harps may be rented for $75, lever harps for $50. Please email ahead for availability.
Private lessons are included in the curriculum in the keyboard and harp tracks. Campers in the band, strings or choral tracks will receive one short private lesson, but campers in these tracks may take an extended private lesson for an extra charge of $15. Campers are encouraged to bring music they are currently studying. Please indicate on the reservation form if you wish to take an extended private lesson as part of the band, strings or choral track.
Please bring your instrument. If needed, you can rent an instrument. If you need to rent an instrument, make sure to indicate on the registration form. If you realize you need to rent an instrument after you register, please contact Daniel Leedy, the camp director.
Camp will conclude with a series of recitals and concerts on Friday. Attire for the Friday concerts will be long slacks/jeans along with the camp shirt provided at check-in. These final performances are free and open to the public.
All campers should bring music they are currently working on. Composition campers should bring compositions and arrangements they are currently working on and either a computer with notational software or staff paper and pencils.
| 8:30 a.m. | Singing & Devotions |
| 9:15 a.m. | Large group rehearsals / Piano classes |
| 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Music electives camp choir |
| 12:30 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1-5 p.m. | Workshops / Masterclasses / Sectionals / Music Appreciation |
| 5:15 p.m. | Dinner |
| 6:15–7:15 p.m. | Evening Chapel |
(Exact times and session content may vary.)
Camp check-in for all campers is on Sunday between 2–4 p.m. at the Welcome Center.
Day camp drop-off each day will be from 8–8:30 a.m. at the Welcome Center.
When you arrive on campus, follow the signs to the Welcome Center to check-in. Our camp counselors will give you your camp schedule and camp T-shirt. If you have a camp balance, you can take care of it at this time.
Senior Music Camp ends after the final performance on Friday. Individuals and small groups from the piano, string, harp, voice and handbell divisions will perform on Friday at 9:30 or 10:30 a.m. Large groups from all music camp divisions will perform a final concert in Rodeheaver Auditorium on Friday from 2–3:30 p.m.
Day campers must live in or stay with family in the immediate Greenville area.
Campers may be required to be on campus from 8:30 a.m.–9 p.m. on camp days.
Check your camp schedule for specific details.
Day campers can also enjoy a fun highlight of our camp experience, the Bruins Bash, on Wednesday from 7–9 p.m.
Lunch and dinner are included in the camp cost.
Phones may be used at certain time during the week of camp depending upon activities.
A modest amount of spending money is suggested for The Den, vending machines and Bruins Shop.
Please note: BJU cannot be responsible for money, valuables or personal articles.
Overnight Campers:
At EDUcamp, we want to create an environment that is appropriate and comfortable for all campers. In order to do this, we have a dress code that we ask all campers to abide by. Please review these guidelines to ensure that your camper’s attire aligns with our camp standards:
Tops:
Bottoms:
Inappropriate Themes or Images:
Lunch will be served in our dining common in an all-you-can-eat buffet style. Any food concerns (allergies, diet restrictions, etc.) can be noted in the online registration form.
Daniel Leedy is the director of musical activities in the School of Fine Arts and Communication at BJU. He also teaches Tuba and Euphonium as an adjunct professor in the instrumental studies program.
