Public Invited to Maine Summer Youth Music Camp Concerts

The University of Maine School of Performing Arts’ annual Maine Summer Youth Music (MSYM) camp opened the first of two sessions on July 15 with more than 200 junior campers from around Maine, the U.S. and the world. This session will mark the 33rd annual junior camp, directed by UMaine faculty member Chris White. White, now in his fourth year at the helm of MSYM, also directs UMaine sports bands and conducts the University Symphonic Band. Next week, about 150 students will become the 42nd annual class of MSYM senior campers.

MSYM attracts many of Maine’s most talented young musicians and vocalists from the All State Festival sponsored by the Maine Music Educators Association, as well as district and regional festivals and students who want to have a great musical experience. This year’s camp includes students from California, North Carolina, Mexico and Japan, all here as a result of MSYM and School of Performing Arts faculty and alumni who teach throughout the U.S. and the world. Along with being immersed in the exciting world of music, campers get a taste of the college life experience as they are housed in dormitories, eat in campus dining halls and attend their classes in UMaine classroom and performance facilities including the stage of the Collins Center for the Arts, the same stage where illustrious musicians like Isaac Stern and Ella Fitzgerald have performed. For overnight campers, each evening features activities at the campus recreational center or performances by musical guest artists.

Each day, campers participate in eight sessions, including musical ensembles, section or vocal lessons, show choir, musical theater and music appreciation/history classes. At the end of each week, family members, the general public and future campers are invited to attend concerts and musicals showcasing the final camp productions.

Admission to the Collins Center for the Arts concerts is free. For more information or to request a disability accommodation, call 207.581.1755.

MSYM Junior Camp Show Choir, Musical Theater — “Oklahoma” (excerpts), and Jazz Band Concert, 2 p.m., July 19

MSYM Junior Camp Chorus, String Ensemble, Concert Band and Symphonic Band, 7 p.m., July 19

MSYM Senior Camp Jazz Night, 7:30 p.m., July 27

MSYM Senior Camp Musical Theatre Production — “Beauty and the Beast,” 2 p.m., July 28

MSYM Senior Camp Chorus, String Ensemble, Concert Band and Symphonic Band, 5 p.m., July 28