UMaine preps for 50th annual Maine Youth Summer Music Camp
Editor’s note: Story updated July 7.
The Division of Music in the University of Maine School of Performing Arts is celebrating its 50th annual Maine Summer Youth Music Camp this July, returning to its traditional in-person, residential experience after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The camp, led by Christopher White, UMaine director of bands, offers two sections based on grade level. This year, the junior and senior camps will run concurrently, July 10–15, with the final concerts on Friday July 15 at 2 p.m. for jazz and music theater, and 7 p.m. for strings, bands and choirs.
Participants in the ensemble-based camp rehearse twice daily. Students have the opportunity to be in multiple ensembles and music classes.
The camp provides the opportunity to learn from professionals from the UMaine community and throughout the country.
Visiting instructors for the camp include Ben Cox, director of bands at Mt. Ararat High School in Topsham, Maine, who will direct the junior concert band; Jason Priest, band director at Hampden Academy, who will direct the junior jazz band; Sascha Zaburdaeva, first violinist with the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, who will be directing the string orchestra; Jeremy Milton, choir director from Old Saybrook High School in Connecticut and a UMaine graduate, who will direct the junior choir and senior musical theater; and Molly Priest, who will direct the junior music theater.
Philip Edelman, UMaine assistant professor of music and music education, will co-direct the bands with White.
More information is on the UMaine School of Performing Arts website.