Summer workshops to expand students' musical horizons

Oakland University's Department of Music, Theatre and Dance invites members of the community to attend summer workshops specially designed to expand the horizons and enhance the skills of performers with a serious interest in their art.

Created by university faculty and members of our Music Prep Division, these workshops may be of special interest to high school students considering a college level education in the performing arts. Programs include:

• April 23 – Guitar Day: This intensive guitar experience focuses on basic improvisational skills, music reading, sight reading and an introduction to guitar repertoire.
• May 28-29 –Jazz Workshop Featuring Regina Carter and the OU Jazz Quartet: Activities in this program will including combo rehearsals, listening classes, world percussion sessions and more. Non-traditional jazz instruments are welcome.
• June 20-24 – Summer Strings Camp: A week-long event designed for students of ages 12-17, this camp will be filled with chamber music rehearsals, theory classes, performance opportunities and workshops covering improvisation, active listening and more.
• June 27 - July 1 – OU Summer Band Intensive: A week-long camp for ages 14 and up, this program will include small band rehearsals, sectionals and technique classes.
• July 11-22 – Great Lakes Dance Festival: Designed for students over age 16, teachers and professional dancers, this program offers classes in ballet, jazz, contemporary techniques and Pilates, as well as an opportunity to work with gifted choreographers on dances from their current repertory.
• July 18-22 – Musicianship Workshop: Theory, Piano, and Composition: In this three-hour daily workshop, students of ages 12-18 will develop their musical ears through sight-singing and notation experiences, build upon basic piano skills, and compose a theme. 
•  July 25-29 – Creative Computer Music Composition: Students of ages 12-18 will explore creative computer music composition using a variety of computer software programs such as Garageband. The learning focus will be on composing, editing, sequencing sounds and recording live music in a variety of genres.

Costs and meeting times vary for each program. To learn more, visit oakland.edu/mtdoutreach or e-mail to stapleto@oakland.edu.