The Ohio University School of Music welcomes students to our 2024 Summer Music Academy! For more than 15 years, young musicians and vocalists have been coming together on our Athens, Ohio campus to enhance their musicianship, develop their performance skills, and collaborate with fellow high school musicians from the region and beyond. Along with our award-winning faculty, the program welcomes distinguished musicians and performing artists to work with students and share their experiences in the field. Students in all areas enroll for college credit, receive individual instruction and participate in group practice sessions and seminars each day, though individual schedules may vary. Each program ends with a finale concert scheduled on Friday, June 21 or Saturday, June 22, 2024.
The OHIO Summer Music Academy includes the following five streams:
OHIO Summer Music Academy: Band Camp
The OHIO Summer Music Academy Band Camp is an immersive experience designed for intermediate to advanced high school brass, woodwind, and percussion students who, with our distinguished faculty and guest clinicians, want to enhance their musicianship, develop their performance skills, and collaborate with high school musicians from the region and beyond. Daily classes include both large and chamber ensemble sessions and master classes, as well as seminars on various topics such as music theory, rock composition and electronics, instrument repair and maintenance, acoustics, improvisation, and music leadership with members of the Ohio University Marching 110. New for 2024: The leadership course selection track will include a Drum Major component with former Western Carolina University “Pride of the Mountains” drum major, Sheldon Frazier!
Participants will perform in a culminating finale concert on Saturday, June 22 with the Summer Music Academy Wind Ensemble.
OHIO Summer Music Academy: Contemporary Music and Digital Instruments
Ohio University’s new Contemporary Music and Digital Instruments program offers an opportunity for students to combine popular music and technology to create their own musical works. Composition and performance is taught through hands-on experiences with a wide range of digital instruments including loopers, MIDI controllers, digital audio workstations, beat making software, and synthesizers. Students benefit from individual and group instruction, as well as seminars that explore a wide variety of musical styles.
OHIO Summer Music Academy: Piano
The OHIO Summer Music Academy Piano program provides pre-collegiate students with the opportunity to study piano in a stimulating and nurturing learning environment under the guidance of our distinguished artist faculty and guests. The program also provides participants with both individual and group instruction, supervised practice time, master classes, ensemble study, performance opportunities, and seminars on a variety of topics (i.e. jazz piano, organ, practice strategies, careers in music, etc.).
Piano academy participants perform in a finale concert on Friday evening, June 21.
OHIO Summer Music Academy: Strings
The OHIO Summer Music Academy Strings program is an immersive experience designed for high school strings students. Daily classes include both large and chamber ensemble sessions and master classes with instrumental faculty, in addition to seminars that explore a variety of musical styles and practice.
OHIO Summer Music Academy: Voice
High school students interested in voice performance work directly with our distinguished vocal music faculty and guests to build their voices and develop their singing techniques. Vocal music students will explore contemporary a capella, choral music, vocal music recording, and live stage performance in addition to explorations of composition, music theory, and studies of extraordinary vocal performers.
April 21, 2024: Deadline to apply for a merit scholarship.
May 10, 2024: Payment deadline.
June 16, 2024: Residential student move-in (1:00–3:00 p.m.), program begins for all students with on-campus program orientation and placement auditions.
June 17–21, 2024: Classes in session
June 21–22, 2024: Finale concerts for each area.
June 22, 2024: Move out of residence halls (2:00–4:00 p.m.)
Ensemble Experience
All students will have the opportunity for master classes with faculty on their instrument as well as an ensemble experience.
Summer Academy Wind Ensemble
All brass and woodwind musicians and percussionists rehearse and perform with the wind ensemble. The ensemble rehearses daily and presents a concert at the end of the Summer Academy. This group also performs with the Athens Communiversity Band as part of the “Under the Elms” concert series, an outdoor summer concert series that has been an Athens tradition for more than 70 years!
Summer Academy Strings Ensemble(s)
String players rehearse and perform with a chamber ensemble. The size and instrumentation of these ensembles is determined by the number of string academy participants, and the group(s) perform at a concert at the conclusion of the academy.
Vocal Ensemble
Vocalists rehearse and perform with a vocal ensemble. The size, makeup, and repertoire of the ensemble is determined each year based on vocal academy participants, and the group performs at a concert at the conclusion of the academy. This group may also have the opportunity to perform at home games of the Southern Ohio Copperheads in Bob Wren Stadium!
CDMI Ensemble(s)
CDMI participants create, rehearse, and perform in ensembles along with participants in other instrumental streams. The size and makeup of these ensembles is determined each year based on CDMI academy participants, and the group performs at a concert at the conclusion of the academy.
Chamber Instrumental Ensembles
In addition to the large instrumental ensembles, students have the opportunity to participate in various chamber ensembles (brass quintet, trombone ensemble, clarinet ensemble, etc.), determined each year based on Music Academy participants.
Daily Schedule
In addition to ensembles groups and master classes, academy participants have a choice of various classes to attend. Topics may include: music theory, rock composition and electronic music, instrument maintenance and repair, acoustics, improvisation, and music leadership topics with members of the Ohio University Marching 110.
Students are invited to participate in a variety of evening activities including faculty concerts, student performances, and a variety of recreational activities. Students who are commuting to the program are also welcomed to join in the schedule of evening activities and may visit local restaurants and the dining hall with the group if desired on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Please note: For security purposes, only students registered to stay in residence halls may enter residential buildings. Some recreational activities such as movie nights or craft nights may take place inside the residence halls and would be limited to those students in residence.
Sample Daily Schedule for Academy Participant – BAND
7:30–9:00 a.m.
Breakfast served in Voigt Hall for students in residence
9:30–10:50 a.m.
Wind Ensemble Rehearsal (applied lesson pullouts)
11:10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Masterclasses with Applied Faculty
12:30–1:30 p.m.
Lunch at local restaurants on Court Street
1:30–2:20 p.m.
Selected Class A (Theory, Instrument Repair, etc.)
2:30–3:20 p.m.
Selected Class B (Improv, Student Leadership, etc.)
Some financial aid and scholarships are available to assist with the instructional portion of program fees. To apply, upload your financial aid and/or merit scholarship application along with your registration.
For merit scholarship applications, you may upload or link to a 2-minute video of the applicant performing a solo or an excerpt of a solo. Upload can be done during the registration process or sent by email to summerarts@ohio.edu no later than April 21, 2024.
All students who have auditioned and been invited to participate in a 2023-2024 School of Music on-campus event (i.e. Honor Band, Woodwind Day, Trombone Day, Horn Day, etc.) are eligible for a 50% scholarship to be applied toward their Instructional Program Fee. This scholarship does not apply to the Housing and Meal Plan Fee. Eligible students who have participated in these events will receive further information about how to apply these scholarships when registering and paying for their program.
Example Scholarship-Funded Student Cost
OHIO Summer Music Academy – June 17–22, 2024
Program fee for all areas of the Summer Music Academy with 50% scholarship
$187.50
Housing and Meal Plan Fee – June 16–22, 2024
Sunday–Saturday, 6 nights accommodation in university residence halls including all meals
$395.00
Total Cost, Commuting Participant:
$187.50
Total Cost, Residential Participant:
$582.50
NEW! Undergraduate Scholarships: The College of Fine Arts will guarantee a minimum $2000 scholarship to all summer pre-college students who successfully complete their program and then matriculate to an undergraduate degree in the College of Fine Arts at Ohio University.
Scholarships will be applied to OHIO University Undergraduate Tuition upon admission and matriculation into a College of Fine Arts major. Scholarships are distributed over four years of study ($500 per year) with maintenance of eligibility (major in the College of Fine Arts, 3.0 GPA, 15 earned hours per Fall/Spring term). Pre-College Scholarships may be stackable with other OHIO awards and scholarships up to the full cost of resident tuition.
Ohio University staff, faculty, and alumni, as well as their children and dependents, receive a 10 percent discount on program fees. Enter employee name and department or enter your degree program completed and year of graduation at registration to receive your discount. Only one discount will apply.
Step 2. Complete all Student Information and Parent Information sections of the registration form.
Select your appropriate program from the list (for example, “OHIO Summer Music Academy – Band Camp”)
Students who will be participating in the residential program should also note this on the registration page.
Complete all remaining portions of the form and click “Submit”.
Upon completing the form, you will be directed to our secure online payment page. Your registration is confirmed once payment is made in full. Select payment for "Session 2 Residential Program" or "Session 2 Commuter Program" depending on your residential needs.
If you have applied for a scholarship at the time of registration, you do not need to complete payment at this time. Scholarship applications are reviewed through the spring semester until April 21 and you will be able to complete your payment once you receive your scholarship decision.
Ohio University’s Office of Admissions will follow up with you to create your student account, upload your high school transcript, and complete all forms required to enroll.
Participants may choose to live off-campus and commute each day. Students who are commuting to the program are also welcome to join in the schedule of evening activities and may purchase lunch and dinner at local restaurants and the dining hall on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Please note: For security purposes, only students registered to stay in residence halls may enter residential buildings. Breakfast meals and some evening recreational activities such as movie nights or craft nights may take place inside the residence halls and would be limited to those students in residence.
Is a car necessary?
It is not necessary to have a car while staying on campus. Participants can walk to all areas of the campus easily and use Athens Public Transit to access local amenities. If parking on campus, participants must purchase either a commuter or overnight parking pass. View campus map as a guide.
Will I have a roommate?
Students will be housed in double occupancy rooms in Voigt Hall and may request a roommate in advance if desired.
What is included in the meal plan?
All students staying in residence on campus are automatically enrolled in our meal plan for the duration of the session, which provides for all meals at our campus dining halls. Meals include healthy, fresh options for all dietary needs. Sample menus can be viewed online.
Is there a placement audition at the start of the program?
Students will audition for ensemble placement during the orientation on Sunday, June 21 or at the start of classes on Monday, June 22.
What can I do during the evening?
The program will host nightly events that may include faculty concerts, student performances, films, recreational activities, etc. Students may also choose to relax with friends and spend time on campus and in Uptown Athens.
What should I bring/pack?
Regarding clothes: comfortable clothing to get through one week (laundry facilities are available in residence halls), umbrella, a light jacket/sweatshirt, and clothes to wear to performance (need not be formal). Campus recreation facilities are available to participants so you may choose to bring additional athletic clothing including a swimsuit and towel.
Regarding health and wellness: prescription, over the counter medicine, or any necessary toiletries (there is a CVS within walking distance).
Other miscellaneous items: personal electronics and chargers, alarm clock, journal or notebook, water bottle.
You may choose to bring your own linens (extra-long twin sheets, blanket, pillow, towels) or select the add-on linen package with the housing and meal plan. (If you do not have an extra-long twin sheet set, two flat sheets of another size will fit the mattresses).
Other important items: health insurance information, bankcard or cash for one week (several ATM machines within walking distance).
Is there internet access?
There is free guest Wi-Fi access across campus.
What else can I do in Athens?
There are plenty of things to do and see on the Ohio University campus and in the surrounding Athens area. Take a walk to Court Street to visit local restaurants, bakeries, shops, and cafés as well as see open mic nights, spoken word, and local musicians. Spend time on the College Green enjoying a picnic with friends. Take a hike on one of the many trails Athens has to offer.
Visit Athens County website for more ideas and information!
