Category: Music

In our Summer Music Recording Camp, teens ages 13-18 will learn the basics of music recording and engineering from the very fundamentals to intermediate level techniques, all while using professional-grade equipment and technology housed in Mason School of Music’s own Recording Studio.

Part of Summer Music Intensive Week, June 18-22, the program will be led by Mason School of music faculty member Dr. Andrew Cote and Mason Music alum/ recording artist Thom Routon. Working in groups, students will complete the week by presenting finished recordings to family and friends in a mock “release party” event.

 

 

“Our program will touch on topics such as the basic principles of sound waves and how they are created, and how sound is ‘captured’ and transmitted through recording equipment via signal flow,” explained Mr. Routon. “Students will learn techniques that will allow them to record and organize acoustic and electronic tracks into mix sessions.”

If you have ever expressed interest in how songs are recorded, and/or if you would like to take your musicianship to the next level, then the Summer Music Recording Camp is the perfect place to learn the science behind the sound! Even if you do not sing or play an instrument, all it takes is a love for music to learn the in’s and out’s of music technology and production.

 

 

“I take pride in sharing the process of recording, mixing, and mastering a song from scratch,” exclaimed Mr. Routon, “because it provides so many opportunities for the artist to truly make the music their own!”

 

A Residential Option is also available for this program!

 

GET DETAILS AND REGISTER TODAY!

 

At our inspiring Summer Percussion Academy, teen percussionists will have the opportunity to work alongside world-class musicians and perform in the rudimental, steel pan, and orchestral styles, along with performing in master classes, percussion ensembles, and in a final concert.

“The Mason Summer Percussion Academy is an incredible experience!” exclaimed program Coordinator Dr. Matthew Halligan, Adjunct Professor at Mason’s School of Music. “One of my favorite aspects of the Percussion Academy is the opportunity to help foster a community of students who have the same interest in developing their talents as musicians.”

The Percussion Academy is part of the Summer Music Intensive Week at Mason, June 18-22. The camp faculty will help students establish a functional practice routine for marimba, snare drum, timpani, and much more. Students will be challenged to continue a curiosity with regard to creating musical expression and will gain the experience in preparing and performing contemporary percussion ensemble works.

 

 

Students will have the opportunity to sharpen their technique and musical knowledge among a variety of percussion instruments. Special highlights of this summer’s Percussion Academy include:

• Master class with Dr. Matthew Halligan
• Master class with Dakota Kaylor
• Rudimental clinics with Shane Nickels of “The United State Army Old Guard”
• Steel pan master class

Taking advantage of the University’s extensive inventory of percussion instruments and rehearsal classrooms, the Percussion Academy promises to provide participants with a powerhouse week of musical growth and new friends. Grab your sticks, mallets and practice pads, and let’s go to work!

 

 

A Residential Option is also available for this program.

 

SEE DETAILS AND REGISTER TODAY!

 

 

 

 

Or should we say, all the bells, crooks, slide sections and mouthpieces?! Led by Mason Professor Matt Neff and guest artist Sean Reusch, the brand new Mason Summer Trombone Academy promises to provide high school trombone players with a musical feast of fundamentals, warm-ups, sound production, friendships, and even a trombone choir!

The Academy is part of Summer Music Intensive Week at Mason, June 18-22, and takes place in Mason’s School of Music, where Matt Neff (pictured below) is a Professor of Trombone.

“It’s going to be a fantastic week of learning and playing the trombone — and making some new friends!” exclaimed Mr. Neff. “Along with fundamentals and rehearsals, there will be discussions and discovery of different fields in music, as well as future opportunities for trombonists that may not pursue music as a major/career.”

 

 

Sean Reusch has enjoyed a varied career and enjoys performing many types of music including solo, chamber, orchestral, studio, commercial, musical theater, and jazz. As an educator, Mr. Reusch has been on faculty at University of California San Diego, San Diego State University, Point Loma Nazarene University, and Palomar College, and the Idyllwild Arts Academy. He also manages the website Trombone 101, a great resource for trombone players and educators.

Forming lasting friendships is an important theme for the week, according to Mr. Neff. “I am thrilled to be co-leading with a trombone friend I made back in college – nearly 30 years ago!” he said. “Sean Reusch is a fantastic artist and respected educator in southern California.The fact that I’m bringing my college friend in all the way from California to lead the Trombone Academy is a testament to our theme that playing trombone is more than great music – it’s a foundation for some really great friendships!”

Mr. Neff and Mr. Reusch are passionate educators – teaching middle school through graduate school level trombonists. Together, they have taught hundreds of trombonists – some going to conservatories and prominent music schools as music majors, some going on to other fields but still participating in their college music ensembles.

 

 

All participants will play in a mass trombone choir – with an opportunity for trombone playing parents/ siblings/teachers to sit in. There will be some smaller groups as well to make sure everyone gets the right challenge. The week will finish with a special final performance for family and friends.

“You do not have to want to be a music major for this camp… you just have to enjoy playing trombone!” Mr. Neff emphasized. “Aside from the many professional musicians I know, I also know doctors, lawyers, business men & women, teachers and government workers that all still play trombone. My first job was in an ice cream shop – owned by a trombone player! Sean Reusch did his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, continued playing throughout his undergrad and ended up at a conservatory for his Master’s Degree. Trombone players tend to be fun, social people. Come play some trombone, learn a little, and make some friends!”

 

There is also a Residential Option for this program!

 

GET DETAILS & REGISTER TODAY!

 

 

The Summer Trumpet Academy at Mason is a great place for students of a wide age range (ages 13-18) to come together and learn from professional musicians – including how to improve each and every day, to make efficient use of  time, and to develop a solid routine. All of these things not only apply to music, but can carry over to other aspects of life.

The Academy is part of Summer Music Intensive Week at Mason, June 18-22. Led by Mason School of Music Professor Dr. Kevin Gebo, this year’s program will include a special focus on chamber ensemble playing, individual for each participant. Students will also learn how to make a superior quality recording for auditions and competitions without breaking the bank.

 

 

“I love to hear students of all age and talent ranges, and having everyone work together and make music.” said Professor Gebo. “Working with the amazing young talent in our area (and beyond) and seeing them learn new techniques that help them perfect their craft is a real highlight for me.”

Several guest artists are also in the works. Don’t miss out on this fantastic musical experience!

 

 

A residential option is also available for this program!

 

SEE DETAILS & REGISTER TODAY!

Our Summer Clarinet Academy is one of the highest quality clarinet experiences for teens in the Mid-Atlantic area, featuring clinics with world-class performing artists, master instrument makers, and inspiring teachers. Students will gain a higher level of playing, strategies to manage auditions and performance anxiety, confidence to tackle the next challenging piece of music, and so much more!

“I love the camaraderie, the kindness, and the support that all students, artists, clinicians, and staff give each other,” said program Co-Director Catina Sweedy, founder of The Clarinet Project. “The barriers of age and ability seem to be pushed aside at the Clarinet Academy. Seeing famous performing artists, master technicians, military band clarinetists, vendors, professors, teachers, and other professionals in clarinet-related careers interacting and learning with students and each other equally is truly inspiring.”

 

 

The Clarinet Academy is part of the Summer Music Intensive Week at Mason, June 18-22, and is Co-Directed by Ms. Sweedy and Dr. Kathy Mulcahy, professor of Clarinet at Mason’s School of Music. Special highlights for this summer’s program include:

• A clarinet maintenance and repair clinic by Wes Rice
• A seminar on how clarinets are engineered and manufactured by Joel Jaffe
• A concert by clarinetists from the United States Air Force Band
• A masterclass by David Drosinos titled “The Soulful Art of Greek Clarinet”
• A chance to win a barrel and a bell donated by Rice Clarinet Works and one of three Versa-X ligatures provided by Rovner

In addition to daily technique and warm-up classes, students will have the opportunity to take one private lesson with Ms. Sweedy or Dr. Mulcahy, play in a small clarinet ensemble based on their playing ability, perform a prepared solo piece in an afternoon recital, and, of course, play in a full clarinet choir performing a famous pop song cover (see example below – from The Clarinet Project)!

 

 

“One of my favorite memories from two summers ago was the historical clarinet seminar with Marie Ross,” stated Ms. Sweedy. “Holding, hearing, and playing two hundred year-old (or more) clarinets that I had only read about in books or saw behind glass in museums was a highlight of my life! Also, the jazz clinic with guest artist Felix Peikli from last summer. He taught those kids to play a blues riff in ten minutes and charmed them with his fun, genuine personality. Seeing shy students who had been hesitant to play on their own stand up voluntarily and improvise with him was amazing.”

The clinics and fun clarinet music alone are certain to be educational and inspiring, but students also get free reeds, t-shirts, and more! Clarinet Academy participants are immersed in a supportive and nurturing environment, where they will make lifelong friends.

 

 

A Residential Option is available for this program!

 

SEE DETAILS AND REGISTER TODAY!