Summer Music Academy

Join us June 25–July 1, 2023!

The Ohio University School of Music welcomes students to our 2023 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. In 2023 we look forward to a new year of band and chamber ensembles, master classes, and exciting seminars taught by School of Music faculty, all culminating in our finale concerts on Friday and Saturday!

The OHIO Summer Music Academy consists of the following five streams

OHIO Summer Music Academy: Band Camp

The OHIO Summer Band Camp is an immersive experience designed for high school brass, woodwind, and percussion students. Daily classes include both large ensemble sessions and master classes with instrumental faculty, in addition to seminars that explore content such as conducting, different musical styles, and marching band. Participants may perform in a culminating finale concert on Saturday in the Ohio University Recital Hall.

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 are 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. Participants may perform in a culminating finale concert on Saturday, July 1, in the Ohio University Recital Hall.

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.). Participants may perform in a culminating finale concert on Saturday in the Ohio University Recital Hall.

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. Participants may perform in a culminating finale concert on Saturday, July 1, in the Ohio University Recital Hall.

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. Participants will have several opportunities for public performance during the program including the finale concert on Saturday, July 1, in the Ohio University Recital Hall.

Important Dates and Deadlines

Online registration is now open.

• April 28, 2023: Deadline to apply for a merit scholarship.
• June 12, 2023: Deadline to submit application for university credit.
• June 20, 2023: Payment deadline.
• June 25, 2023: Residential student move-in, program begins for all students with on-campus program orientation and placement auditions.
• June 26–30, 2023: Classes in session
• June 30–July 1, 2023: Finale concerts for each area in Glidden Recital Hall.

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

Program Fees

Optional Additional Fees

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Some financial aid and scholarships are available to assist with 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 28, 2023.

All students who have auditioned and been invited to participate in a 2022-2023 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 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

NEW! Undergraduate Scholarships: The College of Fine Arts will guarantee a $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 are stackable with other OHIO awards and scholarships up to the full cost of resident tuition.

Staff, Faculty, and Alumni Discount

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.

How to Register

Step 1. Visit our online registration page.

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 select the “Optional Session 2 Housing and Meal Plan”. (In order to select both items you must hold down the command key on your keyboard while selecting both options).
• 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.
• 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 28 and you will be able to complete your payment once you receive your scholarship decision.

Frequently Asked Questions