The Department of Music offers enrichment programs for students and teachers each summer. Student camps this summer include:
Classical Piano Camp 2023
July 17–21, 2023
9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Camp will take place on the Webster University campus in the historic Thompson House.
Guest Artist 2023: Daniel Schene, Emeritus Professor of Music
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6th through 12th in Fall 2023
Classical Piano Camp includes:
- Opening day meet and greet (faculty and students)
- Daily private lessons with camp faculty
- Masterclasses
- Interactive sessions
- Faculty recitals
- Guided practice
- Closing Q&A with faculty and students
- Closing recital at 2 p.m. on Friday
Process for application: Submit two pre-screening YouTube videos (two contrasting pieces) for review by June 2, 2023 via the Piano Camp Form. If accepted, a confirmation email will be sent with the registration information.
Please note, acceptable pieces for pre-screening videos do not include selections from lesson books, easy-play transcriptions or arrangements.
Fees and Deposits: The enrollment fee for the camp is $325. To ensure enrollment, a nonrefundable deposit of $50 must be made by Friday, June 9. The balance of the fee ($275) is to be paid by Monday, July 17.
Typical Day:
- Lessons with faculty
- Ensemble coachings
- Special interest classes (theory games, music history, practice strategies, etc.)
- Masterclasses
- Guided practice (with faculty and counselors)
Instructors: Pat Eastman, MM; Caroline Hixson, MM, NCTM; Sue Martin, MM; Ruth Price, DMA; Donna Vince, MM, NCTM
Co-Directors: Caroline Hixson, MM, NCTM; Sue Martin, MM
For more information about Classical Piano Camp, please contact co-directors Caroline Hixson or Sue Martin.
Jazz Camp 2023
July 10–14, 2023
9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Students entering 9th grade in Fall 2023 through adults.
Webster University, well known for its innovative jazz studies program and the Jazz@Webster concert series, is hosting a summer jazz camp at its Webster Groves campus. Participants will study with some of our area’s best-known performers and educators in master classes, combo rehearsals and improvisation classes.
The camp is for beginning, intermediate and advanced level jazz improvisers and instrumentalists. Music reading skills are necessary for participation in classes and ensembles.
When and Where: The camp begins at 9 a.m. on Monday, July 10 in the recital hall of the Thompson Music Building, 8282 Big Bend (at the southeast corner of Edgar Road and Big Bend Blvd.). The camp ends Friday, July 14. The Final Student Concert is at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 14 featuring Student Ensembles.
Instruments: Please bring your instruments with you. If you will be playing drums, please bring your drum kit. Guitarists and bassists need to bring an amplifier. Storage will be provided. Unload all drum equipment and amplifiers at the side door of the west side of the Thompson Music Building.
Lunch: Participants are encouraged to bring their own lunch with them each day. Several fast food restaurants are within walking distance in the Old Orchard area of Webster Groves.
Applicants who will be high school freshmen in the fall of 2023 must submit a letter of recommendation from their primary music instructor in order to be admitted. Younger students must wait until they are entering the freshman year of high school to attend the camp. Please send recommendation letters to:
Tom Byrne
Webster University
470 East Lockwood Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63119
Fees and Deposits: The enrollment fee for the camp is $255. To ensure enrollment, a nonrefundable deposit of $35 must be made by Friday, July 7. The balance of the fee ($220) is to be paid on Monday, July 10.
The St. Louis Jazz Club provides a limited number of scholarships to the Webster Summer Jazz Camp. Primary music instructors of students who may need financial assistance to attend this year's camp should contact Tom Byrne.
Jazz Camp 2023 Daily Schedule
9–9:45 a.m. Masterclasses
10–11 a.m. Combo rehearsals
11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Jazz theory/improvisation classes
12:15–1:15 p.m. Lunch
1:15–2:15 p.m. Faculty concerts
2:30–3:30 p.m. Faculty presentations/student workshops
3:45–5 p.m. Combo rehearsals
Director: Tom Byrne
Jazz Theory/Improvisation: Paul DeMarinis and Kim Portnoy
Saxophone: Paul DeMarinis, Mike Karpowicz, Harvey Lockhart
Trumpet: Dan Smith, Randy Holmes
Trombone: Wayne Coniglio, Jim Martin
Piano: Kim Portnoy, Carolbeth True, Carol Schmidt
Guitar: Dave Black, Tom Byrne
Bass: Willem von Hombracht, Ben Wheeler, Ric Vice
Drums: Kevin Gianino, Nick Savage
For more information about Jazz Camp, please contact Tom Byrne.
Popular Songwriting Camp
June 5–9, 2023
9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Webster Groves, CMS Center
Whether you’re a seasoned tunesmith or just beginning to create your own music, this camp is for you! Songwriting Camp includes daily songwriting technique lessons, co-writing sessions with peers coached by camp faculty, feedback sessions with camp faculty and peers, and a culminating concert. This camp focuses on contemporary, mass-market popular songwriting in a variety of styles.
Students entering grades 9–12 in Fall 2023
Requirements: Must be able to accompany themselves on piano, guitar, ukulele or other
harmonizing instrument.
Tuition: $275
Application Deadline: May 15, 2023
Summer at CMS
The Community Music School also offers a variety of additional summer camps for students, including camps for flautists, composers, string players, chamber musicians and a summer band camp. In addition, CMS provides private applied instruction on the full range of band and orchestral instruments, plus piano and voice.
