Summer Music Camp on Long Island

In this preparatory piano class, students learn the fundamentals of piano playing by

studying the geography of the keyboard, pentascales, full-octave scales, contrary-motion scales, note reading, rhythm, triads with inversions, and simple arpeggios. Repertoire is selected from method books as well as traditional favorites and contemporary pieces from pedagogical collections. Young pianists receive their instruction under the expert guidance of a professional pianist and music educator. Classes are grouped according to age division and grade. This class can be taken for the 4-Week A or 4-Week B session, but cannot be taken for both.

Enrollment Note: This is a popular course with limited enrollment and tends to fill quickly. If you are interested in this course, we recommend enrolling as soon as possible.

“I learned more about piano and made friends in the process.”
—Jordan

“The teacher was very supportive and nice.”
—Miguel

Develop your guitar playing technique under the expert guidance of a professional classical guitarist and music educator. Students focus on improving their technique and playing of melodies, chords, and scales. Students experience ensemble practice and performance, deepening their musicality through listening activities and improvisation and exploring their creativity through a series of music games, warm-ups, and fun approaches to composition. At least one year of experience playing the guitar is required.

“I liked the music we played. The teacher was very nice and thoughtful.”
—Graham

“I learned different guitar-playing techniques.”
—Naomi

We welcome you to join the inaugural year of Usdan’s Composition Program.  

Whether you’re a practicing composer, or a seasoned musician who wants to dive into the world of composition, this class is for you. Composition Major students continue to learn or enhance their skills in music notation, composition, and orchestration under the instruction of an experienced composer and music educator. Students spend their days writing, developing, and refining either a new composition project, or a project they have already begun, primarily in the genres of Classical and Jazz. In class, students have ample time to bring their compositions to life by collaborating with professional musicians and composers, including faculty, Festival performers, and Artists in Residence The Knights. The class culminates in a performance of each students’ work by students, faculty, or guest performers, and each student walks away with a recording of their work.  

Major students should have at least one year of experience reading music and have a deep interest in music composition or experience composing. A laptop/tablet with music software, such as Musescore, downloaded is recommended for this class, but not required. 

This class is being offered as a Minor in the 4A session as well. Students looking for a more intensive composition experience are invited to take both the Major and Minor classes.  

Usdan thanks an anonymous family for their support of the inaugural summer of the Composition Program. 

Under the guidance of skilled educators and professional musicians and conductors, four concert bands offer exceptional collaboration and performance opportunities for budding musicians. Students participate in one hour of concert band rehearsal and one hour of sectional study each day, during which they study with a faculty member who specializes in their instrument area. Woodwind, brass, and percussion instrumentalists are welcome to join. Students rehearse in open-air studios with at least one side completely open and exposed to the surrounding woodland campus. Repertoire is chosen from varied genres, composers, and time periods. At the end of their session, students have an opportunity to perform what they’ve been working on, either in the amphitheater or the studio. Students are grouped by age and division and must have at least one year of prior instruction and the ability to read music. 

Enhance your musicality and your ability to play as a soloist and in a duet under the expert guidance of a professional pianist and music educator. Students are introduced to a variety of musical styles, such as miniatures, classical dance and song forms, and Romantic and 20th-century character pieces. Duets among the students are used to foster listening, making interpretive and stylistic decisions, thinking critically while playing, and interdependence. Three to four years of playing the piano and an ability to read music are required. Students are asked to submit a placement video shortly after enrolling.

Sample repertoire:

J.S. Bach • Invention no. 1 in C Major, BWV 772

Amy Beach • Children’s Carnival, op. 25, no. 5 (Secrets)

Frédéric Chopin • Prelude in E Minor, op. 28, no. 4

Edward MacDowell • Woodland Sketches, op. 51, no. 1 (To a Wild Rose)

Whether you bebop, swing, or samba, the Usdan Jazz Ensemble is the place where young jazz musicians come to learn, jam, and perform together. Led by experienced educators and professional jazz musicians and conductors, young musicians get the opportunity to learn about improvisation and collaboration. Instruments include saxophone, trumpet, trombone, drums, guitar, piano, and bass. At the end of their session, students have an opportunity to perform what they’ve been working on, either in the amphitheater or the studio. Students must be proficient on their instrument but do not need to have previous jazz experience.

Young musicians discover the vibrato of violins, violas, cellos, and double basses that form the core of Usdan's four incredible orchestras. Under the guidance of skilled educators and professional musicians and conductors, Orchestra students come together each day for one hour of orchestra rehearsal and one hour of sectional instruction, during which they study with a faculty member who specializes in their instrument area. The orchestras perform major symphonic works and collaborate with other Usdan ensembles. Orchestra students rehearse in open-air studios with at least one side completely open and exposed to the surrounding woodland campus. At the end of their session, students have an opportunity to perform what they’ve been working on, either in the amphitheater or the studio. Students are grouped by age and division and must have at least one year of prior instruction and the ability to read music.