Music Department Offering Summer Camps for Kids

This summer, area seventh- through 12th-grade music students will have a unique opportunity to learn from Buffalo State faculty and other professional musicians.

The Summer Music Institute offers two programs—a Classics Camp, July 8–20; and a Jazz and Rock Camp, July 22–August 3. All classes and activities take place in Rockwell Hall from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The cost is $275 per camp. Students must be proficient in a primary instrument or voice and be able to perform in ensembles.

Rick Fleming, associate professor of music and director of Buffalo State’s jazz and wind ensembles, is organizing the music camps in collaboration with Phil Aguglia, band director at Kenmore East High School.

“I always wanted to have a music camp,” Fleming said. “When I was growing up in the South, I attended band camp. I worked at band camps as a college student. It was a huge part of my education.”

Fleming hopes students from a variety of schools in Western New York will attend and continue to develop the musical skills they hone during the school year.

During both sessions, students will participate in music theory courses, master classes, and a choice of concert band, orchestra, chamber music ensemble, choir, rock band, or combo. Each camp will present a final performance at Canalside as part of the Music is Art Summer Classics Concert Series on July 20 and August 3. 

For more information, call (716) 878-6504, or apply online.