Music Camps
Berkeley Parents Network >
Reviews >
Summer Camps & School Breaks >
Music Camps
|
Questions
|
Music Camps with Reviews
|
June 2010
Hi dear community of Berkeley. I am wondering if
any one
knows of an amazing music and art camp around in
Berkeley. I
have heard of some, however I would like to have
more opinions.
Thanks a lot
Berkeley Music and Art Camp
is run by a very creative,
nurturing, and all around fun director. Our kids have
really enjoyed it and her other camp, Creative String Summer
Camp.
The kids have a blast and learn a ton.
Her website is www.stringimprovisation.org
Woody
May 2010
I am interested in hearing reviews of Laney Summer Music Camp. It sounds
quite wonderful, with various options for instruments and vocal programs. I'm
hoping to hear from kids who have attended. What does the program actually
look like? Was it fun and rewarding? How large is the program -did your child
feel like they received individual attention? (That is not lost in the group.) Was
your child comfortable being on the campus? Any feed back would be great.
Thanks.
mom to music lover
I'm responding to the Laney Summer Music Camp. My son has gone for
5 or 6 years, and loves it! It's so cheap for such a great camp
($125 for 2 weeks I think). There are alumni / young adult
counselors and also the conductor. Last year it was Jay Lehmann, who
also conducts Berkeley Youth Orchestra. After two years of
attending this camp my son joined BYO (website: http://berkeley-
youth-orchestra.org/) and really loves it. The camp is from 9a-3p I
think and they do 2 or 3 hours of music, have lunch out and about
(Oakland Museum, nearby parks), and have great teams and
competitions (funniest team name etc), then more music in the
afternoon. It seems to be for middle school or older elementary
school mostly I think. My son is going into 9th grade. It's really
fun to see the concert on the last day. I think there are 50 kids or
so?? From my son: You get lots of practice time, it's a good way to
keep in practice and it's lots of fun.
Happy Parent
Jan 2009
Has anyone had experience sending their kids to the Music
Discovery Workshop by SFEMS or Crowden's Scrape, Squawk
and Bang summer camps?
-looking for parents' reviews.
thanks.
looking for music camp for 7 year old
My son has attended
Crowden's Scrape, Bang, Squawk camp twice
now and enjoyed it immensely. The camp is well-organized and we
were impressed by how much the kids learn in a short time, as
evidenced by the recital on the last day.
Holly
Re: Crowden's Scrape, Bang, Squawk camp
Our daughter attended this camp for a week when she was 5 or 6,
and she had a great time trying out different instruments. Since
she could speak, she had told us that she wanted to play the
violin, so this was a good opportunity for her to try it out --
and she now takes violin lessons. We thought it was great, and
would definitely recommend the camp.
lori
I highly recommend the Music Discovery Camp
- we have done it 2
years in a row since my daughter was 7 and we will do it
again. My child had 1 year of piano under her belt but you
don't have to have any music experience. If your child doesn't
play anything they suggest a set of music lessons prior to the
camp. All of the themes are early music related - pirate and
buccaneers theme, Robin Hood, this year is an English Country
Faire. Part of the camp is lessons, ensemble playing, drama,
and art of making props. It is our 2nd favorite summer camp,
after girl scouts.
Anon
Feb 2005
Hi - my son and his friend would like to go to a rock music
summer camp. They are into electric guitars. I see suggestions
on the website for overnight camps for older kids but does
anyone know of music day camps for younger elementary school
kids?
thanks
c_s
You may want to consider the
Bandworks summer camp. They are
local and you can find them on the web at www.bandworks.com.
Last summer our son and several of his friends attended the
camp. They all had a great time and plan to go again this
summer. Bandworks enrolls kids as young as 8 years old, as well
as teens through 18 years old. Our kids were all about 10 years
old and were grouped with kids around the same age and musical
experience. Last summer they took the CD recording workshop.
This summer they have discussed taking that CD workshop again as
well as a song writing workshop.
Bandworks also has an after school program which has been great
for our son. He has taken several sessions, sometimes joined by
his friends and sometimes on his own where he made new friends.
His self confidence has grown tremendously through these music
classes. The high point for him, and probably us as well, is end
of the session when his band performs at Ashkenaz. It is very
moving to watching and hearing the kids rock out in front of
their cheering fans.
Alan
Check out bandworks.com. It's a great way for kids to play in a
rock band with professional instruction. The best part is the
concert at the end where all the bands perform. They take kids
and adults. Contact Steve Gibson at ''steve@bandworks.com''. He
was my guitar teacher for years, and is a great guy.
Katie
October 2004
My 15-year old son has really gotten into the electric
guitar and I want to encourage him and help him improve. I
am looking for a music camp that combines instruction and
outdoor activities. He is willing to go away for it and I
think that would do him a world of good. Does anyone have
any recommendations? Something in New England would be
great. Thanks.
My son played tenor saxaphone during high school and over
several summers attended Jazz CampWest in La Honda near
Santa Cruz. (click for full review)
March 2004
Has anyone had any experience with Soundwall Rock Music
Summer Camp (at Santa Cruz), Ethos Music Camp (at Chico) or
any other summer overnight music camp for teens that
focuses on rock music?
Mother of a Bass Player
My son has attended the
National Guitar Workshop summer
sessions. There is one in San Francisco, overnight in
Belmont, with a rock intensive. Also, both Seattle and LA
host rock seminars. Depending on the style of rock
(classic, progressive, etc.) he might like one or the
other. LA tends to be crowded during the summit because of
the big name master classes (last year was Satriani and
Vai). check the website for more specific information:
www.guitarworkshop.com. It's around $800 week more or less.
There is also Power Chord Academy in LA (they have a
website). And, there's a ''less skilled'' level workshop in
the summer at Ashkenaz (not overnight) as well as Bandworks
program in Jack London Square(not overnight). If you want
more info, email me.
gtrguymom
to ''mother of a bass player'' --
my son attended soundwall rock music summer camp for 2
summers, after 8th and 9th grades. he is also a bass
player. he LOVED the program, and learned a lot, which he
brought back to his local garage band.
the program is excellent. they have history of rock
lessons every day. the kids are grouped in bands-for-the-
week, and there is a performance for parents at the end of
the week. the days are very full! they are doing music
from the time they wake up until evening, and they jam and
practice in the evenings, too. the kids live in a dorm,
and eat in the cafeteria.
we were worried about supervision and whether the days
would be full, and how our son would get along there. the
kids were so busy, he loved it, and he learned a lot. no
time for trouble. being on a college campus was also
wonderful. the program is very positive, every musician is
encouraged to push to new limits, and everyone's a star.
soundwall was set up by parents who couldn't find a good
program for their son. the son is now maybe early 20's,
and an instructor. it is a cool place, challenging, and
very safe.
another mom of a bass player
Other Music Camps
December 2001
I'm looking for music camp alternatives to Cazadero this summer for
an about-to-be-9th grader who wants to play jazz sax. By
alternatives, I mean, less costly, more local, and perhaps a little
less rarefied. If a listing of such things exists, could you point me
to it on the Web site?
Phyllis Orrick
I think the JazzSchool in downtown Berkeley has a good summer music
program for junior-high and high-school-aged kids. They have a website,
too, at www.jazzschool.com. Everyone I know who's taken classes there
(including myself) has loved it. They have some really great musicians
teaching.
Good luck!
Jane
Oakland's Feather River Camp has a jazz youth camp for 10-14 year olds. Last year, it ran from 8/20-8/25. For info, you can call 238-3791. Khalil Shaheed is the founder and director. It costs $300.
Nori Hudson
this page was last updated: Mar 10, 2013
The opinions and statements expressed on this website
are those of parents who subscribe to the
Berkeley Parents Network.
Please see
Disclaimer & Usage for
information about using content on this website.
Copyright © 1996-2013 Berkeley Parents Network