String Camp

Our 2024 camp was a big success! Check back here in January for 2025 camp dates and information.

Music camp for students entering 1st grade through recent high school graduates. Instruction on bass, cello, viola, and violin, beginning through advanced, with solo and ensemble performance opportunities. Residential option for students entering 8^th grade and up. A safe, fun, and musical environment that encourages all campers to achieve their very best. We look forward to seeing you this summer!

Please choose registration by student’s age:

Fees and Registration

The tuition for campers entering 1st through 7th grades is $310. Registration will open here on March 1st.

During registration, you may add a Lunch Pass meal plan for $57. This cost includes 4 lunches (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) and the $3 Griz Card to access meals.

NOTE: All campers must bring bagged lunch from home on Wednesday, as we will walk to Bonner Park for a picnic lunch and free time before returning to campus for afternoon classes.

For more information about the Camp program for older students (entering 8th grade through 2024 high school graduates), as well as registration instructions for that program, please visit this page.

If you have any further questions about either program, please contact our Education Coordinator, Sylvia Allen Oman.

Schedule

Parents/guardians: please plan to attend the Welcome/Play-In and Reception on Sunday, as well as the Final Concert on Friday with your child. The other evening recitals (listed below) are optional, but we highly encourage all students to come. The whole family is welcome, too!

Sunday

4:30-5:30 PM	Registration	UM Education Building Lobby
6:00 PM	Welcome & Play-In	UM Music Recital Hall
7:15 PM	Reception	UM Education Building Lobby

Monday through Friday

8:10 AM	Drop off	UM Music Building
11:40 AM	Lunch	Lunch Card Campers - Food Zoo Dining Room Non-Meal Card Campers – bring “bag lunch”
3:00 PM	Pick up	UM Music Building

Evening Recitals in the UM Music Recital Hall

Monday—Faculty, Counselor, & Student Recital, 7pm   

Thursday—UM Camps Chamber Recital, 7pm

Friday—Final Concert, 2:30pm

Curriculum

Students entering 1^st through 7^th grades will be placed in the day-camp program based on previous string-instrument experience, Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced.  Each track provides a full day of music, learning and fun!

Instruction takes place under Missoula-area private instructors and Symphony performers who are experienced in a variety of pedagogical techniques, including those of Shinichi Suzuki. Students are guided and mentored through their camp day by Teaching Assistants, young adults who are music students and experienced in working with young children. All students take daily Master, Repertoire, and Musicianship classes.

The Master Class includes a semi-private lesson at some point during the week. Students who have some previous instruction (private or group) should come to camp ready to play a piece for their teacher. In the Musicianship Class, students learn to read music, understand how it works (music theory), and discuss its place in culture, past and present (music history).

In the Repertoire Class, students prepare for the Final Concert on Friday evening, where they perform as a group. Students can also audition to play in the Honors Student Recital – all ages and levels welcome! To do this, please submit a video of the student playing the piece they want to perform when registering for camp here.

Highly advanced students may also take a Private Lesson and/or play in an Ensemble alongside the older students (entering 8th grade and up). Please email our Education Coordinator, Sylvia Allen Oman, to request permissions for these Add-ons.

Please note: ALL students, including beginners, must provide their own instruments, bows and cases for camp.

Housing

There are many options for family lodging around town and near campus: hotels, short-term rentals, campgrounds, and more! A great place to start your search is Destination Missoula. 

There is no residential camp option for any camper under age 11. Thus, any student who attends from out-of-town will need to be within the care of a parent or guardian outside of camp hours, which are Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 3:00pm.  

There is very limited availability for campers entering 6^th and 7^th grades to take part in the residential camp. To check on this, please email our Education Coordinator, Sylvia Allen Oman.

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