Summer Symphony
A week of orchestral study and performance for young musicians
A week of orchestral study and performance for young musicians
The Summer Symphony Camp is an inspiring and intensive week of orchestral study and performance for young musicians in a spectacular North Cascade Mountain setting. Under the leadership of acclaimed music directors and coaches, this program allows talented young musicians to participate in intermediate and advanced musical studies. The atmosphere is challenging and at the same time, highly supportive and welcoming.
Academy Orchestra is designed for first, second, and third year string players with some music reading ability. Our coaches and conductors work closely with the students to teach and challenge them. This is an ideal ensemble for those learning how to play in a conducted ensemble. Fun crafts and games are included daily along with a trip to mini-golf and arcade.
Academy Orchestra performs at the Leavenworth Farmers Market and our Finale Concert on the last day of camp.
Overnight and day camp options are available. Minimum age for overnight camp is 12 (contact Annie Chalmers for exceptions).
A+ Players is an auditioned group of seventh and eighth grade string players who are comfortable with shifting and have begun working their vibrato technique. These players are leaders when performing with our Academy Orchestra, they play their own literature, and one advanced orchestral piece with the Symphony Orchestra. Students will learn advanced string techniques and ensemble playing. Crafts and games are part of the daily schedule.
A+ Players perform at the Leavenworth Farmers Market and our Finale Concert on the last day of camp.
Overnight and day camping options are available. Minimum age for overnight camp is 12 (contact Annie Chalmers for exceptions).
A+ Players Audition
Instructions
Violin A+ Audition:
Viola/Cello A+ Audition:
Conductor: Adrienne Shields
Summer Symphony Orchestra is an ensemble for instrumentalists with intermediate to advanced skills. String, brass, woodwind, and percussion instrumentalists are invited to audition. In addition to the full rehearsals, coaches lead sectionals and chamber groups which rehearse daily. Chamber groups perform at the Leavenworth Farmers Market and the orchestra performs in the Finale Concert.
Overnight and day camp options are available. Minimum age for overnight camp is 12 (contact Annie Chalmers for exceptions).
NEW applicants for the Symphony Orchestra must submit an audition with their application.
Symphony Orchestra Audition
Students who have performed in the Summer Symphony Orchestra in the past do not have to audition (unless they are playing a different instrument). Students moving up from A+ Players or members of the Icicle Creek Youth Orchestra are required to audition.
Instructions
Audition Requirements:
Symphony musicians must also be prepared for a placement audition in person on the first day of camp. This placement audition will consist of a 2-3 octave scale of your choice and selected excerpts from the chosen concert repertoire or your own prepared selection.
Summer Symphony prides itself on having a great mix of musically rich experiences and fun friendship building activities. Last year’s daily schedule is available below as an example.
Sample Daily Schedule
8:00 Breakfast
9-10:30 Symphony Rehearsal
10:30-12:00 Sectionals
12:00 Lunch
1:00-2:15 Symphony Rehearsal
2:15-3:15 Chamber Music
3:45 Explore Downtown Leavenworth
6:00 Dinner
7:00 Movie Night
Extracurricular Activities May Include:
Rafting
Horseback Riding
Group Games
Movie Night
Laser Tag
Hiking
Swimming
Sightseeing in Leavenworth
Talent Show
Every day during camp students rehearse with their chamber groups. This gives students a chance to work one-on-one with a coach and perform music at their ability level. All chamber ensembles perform for the local Farmers Market on Thursday.
When we are not practicing our instruments, we are having tons of fun! Commuter campers can join us for laser tag, mini-golf or arcade, and an entertaining talent show! In addition to those activities, overnight campers take a trip to downtown Leavenworth, raft the Icicle River, go horseback riding, and enjoy a movie night in our own private theater. Camp wouldn’t be the same without an evening with smores around the campfire!
Participation in horseback riding and rafting require waiver forms to be filled out completely.
PRINTABLE HORSEBACK RIDING WAIVER
PRINTABLE RAFTING WAIVER
Please upload the form during registration, email them to officemanager@icicle.org or mail them to PO Box 2071, Leavenworth, WA 98826.
Participation in horseback riding and rafting require waiver forms to be filled out completely.
PRINTABLE HORSEBACK RIDING WAIVER
PRINTABLE RAFTING WAIVER
Please upload the form during registration, email them to officemanager@icicle.org or mail them to PO Box 2071, Leavenworth, WA 98826.
Leavenworth Farmers Market performance
Thursday, June 25. Everyone is welcome!
Finale Concert
Saturday, June 27 at 11am at Snowy Owl Theater
Join in this musical celebration of young musicians from throughout the Pacific Northwest! Our three ensembles will perform in the beautiful Snowy Owl Theater. We will be celebrating with an ice cream social following the concert (free for campers, by donation for our concert guests).
Camp counselors (age 18+) are a group of mature, enthusiastic individuals who have attended the camp in the past. Counselors provide a safe environment that is friendly and welcoming for campers. These college music majors or minors perform in the Summer Symphony Orchestra and are great role models. Contact Annie Chalmers if you are interested in being a counselor.
A note from our head counselor Annie Vohs:
“I love returning to Summer Symphony each year. It brings me such joy to watch young musicians spend a week gaining incredible musical knowledge, new friends and creating memories that will stick with them for the rest of their lives.”
Students are housed on-site in shared cozy cabins. These are not your average summer camp accommodations! Each cabin is air-conditioned, has its own bathroom with shower and a beautiful view! The campers are organized according to age and gender and have an experienced camp counselor in their cabin. The minimum age for staying overnight is 12 (email Annie Chalmers for exceptions).
Resident:
Tuition: $575
Room and Board: $400
*Includes three meals a day, snacks, housing, t-shirt and all extra activities (rafting, horseback riding, etc.)
Commuter:
Tuition: $575
*Commuter tuition includes lunches, snack, t-shirt, and does NOT include extra activities (rafting, etc.)
Scholarships:
A limited number of scholarships are available on the basis of financial need or a sibling discount. The application for financial aid is located in the registration page.
$50 deposit is required for registration.
Program Director
Annie Chalmers received her bachelor’s degree in music education at the University of Idaho and her master’s degree in conducting from the American Band College at Southern Oregon University. She taught K-12 band and general music for the Cascade School District in Leavenworth, Wash., for four years. As a horn player, she has been a member of the Wenatchee Valley Symphony and the Lake Chelan Bach Festival. More »
Symphony Orchestra Conductor
Adrienne Shields currently serves as the Music Director of the Mid-Columbia Youth Symphony and the Assistant Conductor of the Mid-Columbia Symphony. Shields holds a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting and Vocal Performance/Pedagogy from Central Washington University and a Bachelor of Musical Arts degree in Harp from Pacific Lutheran University.
Academy Orchestra and A+ Conductor
Kara Hunnicutt, M.M., M.Ed., is the founder and director of Ellensburg School Orchestra program since 2007.