Frequently Asked Questions

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 Questions about the application and how to apply.
 Questions about the waiting list.
 Questions about payments and refunds.
 Questions about bands.
 Questions about orchestras.
 Questions about senior mixed chorus.
 Questions about piano camp.
 Questions about private lessons.
 Questions about housing and roommates.
 Questions about day camp.
 Questions about what to bring, arrival and registration.

Questions about the application and how to apply.

Q:  When will applications for the next camp be available?
A:  Applications for Summer Music Camp become available for download and are mailed to schools and anyone on our mailing list on February 1st each year.

Q:  What is the deadline to apply for Summer Music Camp?
A:  While there is not deadline for application, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible, especially if you play a popular instrument such as flute, trumpet, saxophone or violin.  Also, there often are fewer dorm rooms for males than females, so all boys should apply as soon as they can.

Q:  Do I need to send an audition tape?
A:  No.

Q:  Will I need to audition for ensemble placement when I arrive for Camp?
A:  No, however, it is likely that you will be heard individually early in the week during a sectional rehearsal.  Your ensemble placement will be decided by the conductor and by his or her assistants.  All Piano Camp students will be auditioned on Sunday evening for placement into the appropriate piano class.  (Piano Camp Students should also read our Piano Camp page.)

Q:  How is my enrollment into camp determined?
A:  Students are accepted into Summer Music Camp on a first come, first served basis.

Q:  What happens if there isn't room for me in Summer Music Camp by the time my application is processed?
A:  You will be placed on our waiting list, and your check will be returned to you.  You can find more information about the waiting list below.

Q:  I sent my application in a long time ago and haven't heard anything back yet.  What should I do?
A:  It is very likely that we haven't processed your application yet.  We get hundreds of applications back within a week of mailing out Summer Music Camp brochures, and process over 3,000 applications each year!  It takes time to review each application, write a receipt and put the information into our computer.  At the height of the application time for camp, from February 1st until April 15th, we do not process applications until about three weeks after the postmark.  Take note of the date you sent your application, and if it has been four weeks since you sent it in, please feel free to give us a call.  We thank you for your patience.

Q:  What band/orchestra level should I sign up for?
A:  Your band/orchestra placement is determined by the grade you are currently enrolled in (2008-2009 school year).  Also, if you only have one year playing experience on a band instrument, you should check 'Beginner Band.'

Q:  Who do I get to sign the "Music Director's Recommendation" if I am applying for piano camp or if my music director is unavailable or if I do not play in a school ensemble?
A:  Piano campers should get their current private piano instructor to fill out the recommendation.  This is also an acceptable alternative for wind, percussion & string instrumentalists and choral students, although it is preferable that these students have prior ensemble experience, as the majority of their time at music camp will be spent participating in ensembles.

Questions about the waiting list.

Q:  I was placed on the waiting list.  What happens now?
A:  Each student placed on the is assigned a number based on the order they were placed on that list.  If a camper on your instrument decides not to attend Summer Music Camp, and your application is the next one in order, we will call you to see if you are still interested in attending.

Q:  Does a spot on the waiting list guarantee that I will be able to come to camp?
A:  No.

Q:  When will I find out whether or not I will be able to come to camp?
A:  We have students canceling their camp registration all the way up until camp begins.  Rest assured, we will call you as soon as we have space available, even if it is only a couple of weeks before camp.

Q:  What if I haven't heard from anyone about my waiting list status?
A:  Unfortunately, if you haven't heard from us, there is not a place available for you in camp yet.  We'll let you know as soon as there is.

Questions about payments and refunds.

Q:  When is my final payment due?
A:  Final payment of Summer Music Camp tuition is due on June 1, 2009.

Q:  What happens if I can't attend camp and need to get a refund?
A:  Give us a call and let us know.  We will be happy to refund your tuition (minus the $45 deposit) up until two weeks before your week of camp starts.  After that date, no refund will be available.

Q:  Why is the $45 deposit non-refundable?
A:  Even if you don't attend camp, there are still costs associated with processing your application.  We have to cover the cost of paper, envelopes, postage, advertising, toll-free telephone service and camp staff.

Questions about bands.

Q:  What band should I sign up for?
A:  If you are currently in grades 9-12, you should sign up for Senior High Band.  If you are currently in grades 6-8 and have been playing for two years, sign up for Junior High Band.  If you have only been playing for one year and are in grades 5-9, you will be in the Beginner Band.

Q:  How am I assigned to a band, and when do I find out which band I've been assigned to?
A:  There are multiple bands at each level during each week.  Campers are placed in a band according to the rating given them by their music director, so that we can keep a balanced talent level on each instrument in each band.  Every effort is made to place students from the same school in the same band, although this is not always possible.
      Because we are signing students up for camp and people are canceling right up until camp starts, the rosters for each band are not set until the week before camp, and even then changes might need to be made.  You will find out which band you are playing in on registration day.

Q:  When/where is my band performing?
A:  All the bands perform as part of the 6:15 PM concerts on Friday afternoon.  We do not know the exact time that your band will perform, however, beginner bands perform first, and the senior groups perform last.  All the bands will be performing in either Aycock Auditorium, the Elliott University Center or the Taylor Theatre on the UNCG campus.

Questions about orchestras.

Q:  When/where is my orchestra performing?
A:  All the orchestras perform as part of the 6:15 PM concerts on Friday afternoon.  We do not know the exact time that your orchestra will perform.  All the orchestras will be performing in the Elliott University Center on the UNCG campus.

Questions about senior mixed chorus.

Q:  When/where is the Senior Mixed Chorus performing?
A:  The Senior Mixed Chorus performs in the Recital Hall of the new music building at 6:15 PM on Friday, along with the piano camp soloists and piano camp chorus.

Questions about piano camp.

Detailed Piano Camp information is available on our Piano Camp webpage.

Q:  What activities do piano campers participate in?
A:  Piano camp includes group instruction in piano technique, keyboard literature, musicianship, ensemble playing and theory.  Piano students also participate in a mixed chorus and will have two half-hour private lessons during the week.

Q:  What are the performance opportunities for piano camp students?
A:  All piano students will sing with the mixed chorus and perform as part of a piano ensemble.  Some students will also be selected to perform a solo at one of the recitals on the last day of camp.

Q:  When do the piano camp students perform?
A:  The piano ensembles perform at 10:00 AM on the last day of camp.  Some solo students will perform at 12:30 PM.  Select solo performers will play at 6:15 PM, a concert which also includes the piano camp chorus and, during week 2, the senior mixed chorus.  All piano camp performances take place in either the organ hall or the recital hall, both of which are in the new music building.

Q:  How do I know what time my piano camper is performing?
A:  Due to the nature of the piano camp and Summer Music Camp in general, decisions are not made about solo performers until the Thursday evening before the Friday concerts.  Parents are welcome to call the Camp office or check the main page of our website on Thursday night (after 8pm) to find out exactly when and where their camper will be performing.

Questions about private lessons.

Q:  What should I bring if I signed up for a private lesson?
A:  Bring any solo literature or etudes that you are currently studying.  If you don't have anything, your instructor will have something to work on with you.

Questions about housing and roommates.

Q:  What dormitories will students be staying in?
A:  We often do not know exactly where Summer Music Camp students will be staying until a few weeks before camp, but we do expect to use the three high-rise dorms on campus this year:  Grogan, Reynolds and Cone.

Q:  Males and females will be housed separately, right?
A:  Of course.  However, on some occasions, we do house boys and girls within the same building, but on different floors.  The supervision is very close.

Q:  I want to room with someone specific at camp.  What do I need to do?
A:  Don't do anything until you come for camp.  The best way to get a roommate that you know is to show up early during registration on the first day of camp with that person.  We will make every effort to get you into a room together.

Q:  I have two (or three) friends that I want to room with.  Can I do this?
A:  While we sometimes have rooms available that will accommodate three to four people, we cannot guarantee that they will be available again this year.  We also cannot guarantee that the room will be available for you when you come to register.  As above, the best way to room with the person (or people) you want is to get her early during registration and go through the line together.

Q:  I don't have anyone in mind that I want to room with.  What happens to me?
A:  We will match you up with a roommate.  We'll try to get someone who is in the same grade as you, or maybe one grade higher or lower.

Questions about Day Camp.

Day campers should see our Day Camp Information Page.
 
 

Questions about what to bring, Sunday arrival and registration.

Q:  What does my Summer Music Camper need to bring for camp?
A:  In addition to clothes, a raincoat, toiletries and a few other personal items, each students also needs to bring the necessary equipment for participation in ensembles.  Woodwind, brass and string players need to bring their instrument, a folding music stand and a couple of pencils to rehearsal  Percussionists need to bring sticks & mallets, a folding music stand and, if you have one, a snare drum and snare drum stand.  Piano campers should bring any music you're currently working on for your private lesson, placement audition, and possible performance.

Q:  So, what else will I need to bring?
A:  A complete list of what to bring will be mailed to you in mid-June, and includes mostly items that you would need on a daily basis, anyway.  However, be sure you have sheets for a "extra long twin" bed, a pillow, and a portable alarm clock.  Sheets will not be provided, and you must be able to get yourself up every morning in time for your first class or ensemble.

Q:  What about money?
A:  Summer Music Camp T-shirts will be available for $10 each and CD recordings of the camp concert will be available for $15.  Some money for incidental purchases and refreshments is good, and you may want to bring change for the vending machines and pay phones.

Q:  Is there anything I shouldn't bring?
A:  Yes.  You should avoid bringing the following items:  TV Sets, Large Stereos, Refrigerators, Hot Plates, Microwaves, Irons, Fans (rooms are air-conditioned), Computers, Printers, Telephones, Skateboards, Skates, Bicycles, Valuable Items, Pets.  We also ask that you leave cell phones and beepers at home, as these can be a distraction during rehearsals and classes.  Camp staff may confiscate any of the above items for the duration of camp if they prove to be unsafe or to be a constant distraction from Summer Music Camp activities.

Q:  Is there late registration available on the first day of camp?
A:  We highly discourage anyone from arriving late to camp.  Attendance at the 6:30 PM meeting on Sunday evening is essential, particularly if you've never attended camp before.  However, in the event of emergency, late registration is available in the lobby of Grogan Dorm.