Music Summer Camp on Long Island

Enhance your ability to listen, blend, make musical decisions, and think critically by playing in a small ensemble led by professional musicians and music educators. Strengthen your skills as both a soloist and an ensemble player.

Each day, musicians join an ensemble rehearsal that includes a combination of warm-ups, technical exercises, sound and breathing exercises, and balancing and listening exercises, as well as repertoire study and rehearsal. Varied pieces are selected from different genres and time periods. Instrumental Ensemble takes place in open-air studios with at least one side completely open and exposed to the surrounding woodland campus.

Lead faculty in our advanced groups guide musicians in a true conductor-less chamber music experience. Beginner groups receive the technical support needed and are conducted by their lead faculty most days. Some ensembles have the opportunity to work with a contemporary composer.

Ensembles may include string, woodwind, brass, and jazz groups, as well as mixed instrumental groups. There is limited space available for percussionists in the 4-week A session only. Please inquire before enrolling by emailing enrollment@usdan.org. There is limited space available for piano and guitar instrumentalists in our Jazz Ensembles only. Please inquire before enrolling by emailing enrollment@usdan.org.

Students are asked to submit a placement video shortly after enrolling and are grouped according to experience, instrumentation, age division, and grade. Instrumentalists who have just completed 6th grade must choose to be in the Junior Division in order to take this Major. Instrumentalists in 3rd and 4th grade who are interested in taking this Major may be admitted upon inquiry. Please email enrollment@usdan.org to inquire. At least one year of playing an instrument and an ability to read music is required. 

“The teacher creates a safe and fun environment and is very encouraging.” 
—Noelani

“I like the people I got placed with. We all became good friends.” 
—Sophia

“I like listening to other instruments and coming together with a blended piece.”
—Rose

If you love to sing and want to deepen your passion for music, join Usdan’s Junior Vocal Ensemble. Under the guidance of professional musicians and educators, students learn varied repertoire by composers from around the world while making friends and having fun. Vocalists focus on the use of correct diction, breathing techniques, blending, and balance. Vocal Ensemble takes place in open-air studios with at least one side completely open and exposed to the surrounding woodland campus.

“We learn in a great environment!”
—Anthony

“We sing and perform a very wide range of music that is amazing to sing. I enjoyed the whole process of learning the music, ... and seeing it all come together is an amazing thing.” 
—Kennedy

Learn the fundamentals of guitar playing under the expert guidance of a professional classical guitarist and music educator. Students begin by learning the structure of the instrument and basic technique; then they move on to simple melodies and chords and scales. Students ultimately 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. This Minor includes a free guitar, which students take home with them at the end of the session. No experience necessary.

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. No experience necessary. Classes are grouped according to division and grade. This class can be taken for the 4-Week A or 4-Week B session, but cannot be taken for both.

Learn the fundamentals of ukulele playing under the expert guidance of a professional classical guitarist and music educator. Students begin by learning the structure of the instrument and basic technique; then they move on to simple melodies and chords and scales. Students ultimately 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. This Minor includes a free ukulele, which students take home with them at the end of the session. No experience necessary. 

A unique program for advanced beginner pianists to develop solo and ensemble repertoire, improving technique, theory, and aural comprehension. Young pianists receive their instruction under the expert guidance of a professional pianist and music educator. One to two years of prior piano instruction required. Classes are grouped according to division and grade. This class can be taken for the 4-Week A or 4-Week B session, but cannot be taken for both.

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, Baroque and Classical dance and song forms, and Romantic and 20th-century character pieces. Duets among the students are used to foster listening, making musician decisions, thinking critically while playing, and interdependence. At least four years of playing piano and an ability to read music is required. Students are asked to submit a placement video shortly after enrolling. 

Sample repertoire:

Bach • Prelude and Fugue in C Minor, BWV 847

Beach, Amy • Music for Piano, op. 54, no. 1 (Scottish

Legend) Chopin • Nocturne in E flat Major, op. 9, no. 2

Mozart • Sonata in F Major, K 332