Menomonee Falls Music SUMMER MUSIC OPPORTUNITIES
Often the band directors get questions regarding the opportunities available to the students for both summer and next school year. We have options listed below so you can read about the opportunities available. Summer lessons and summer camps have sign-up starting now and you should look into the details soon. Auditions for outside ensembles next school year typically occur during the spring (now) so it is important you also look into those details if your child has an interest.
Private Lesson Options
With this option, you can seek out a private instructor through a music store or in the home of the instructor. We have a list of instructors, so you can also reach out to your student’s band director if you need suggestions. (A list can be found in your student music handbook that is always distributed at the beginning of the year.) This is typically one lesson per week for 30 minutes. The cost is roughly $25-30 per lesson.
Summer Camp Options
Summer camp opportunities are available for middle school students who are interested in playing in a band or studying some aspect of music for the summer. Students currently in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade band can participate in a summer music camp experience. Knowing you are making summer plans at this time we hope that a music camp may be an option for your child.
Summer music camps are week-long experiences held on various university and college campuses within the state. Since the details of each camp vary, (date, options at camp, cost, etc) we recommend you check out each website to determine what may fit you and your child’s interest and schedule best. In the past, many students from Menomonee Falls have attended the camps, and they have shared that a music camp experience is both educational and fun. As teachers at NMS, we believe that the music camp experience has been a strong contributing factor to the continued excellence of our bands.
Scholarships to help cover a portion of the cost of a music camp will be awarded to NMS sixth, seventh and eighth grade band students. Eligibility requirements for a scholarship include completing an application
(attached), maintaining high standards for performance, behavior and attitude in music rehearsals, and continuing participation in band for the following school year. Students do not need to receive a scholarship in order to attend a music camp. Camp applications at the universities are due early April/May (but often accepted later).
Any questions please contact us!
Sarah Holst & Lonna Schickert
holssar@sdmfschools.org 946-2337 voicemail
schilon@sdmfschools.org 946-2262 voicemail
SUMMER CAMP OPTIONS
(the Band Bunch website also has available information- fallsbandorch.org/)
UW Madison Summer Music Clinic – UW Madison Summer Music Camp Junior Session & Senior Session
UW Whitewater –Summer Band Camps Whitewater MS Camp, Jazz Camp, Percussion Camp, Flute Camp, and High School Camp
UW Stevens Point Summer Camp – Stevens Point Music Camp
High School Camp (Going into grade 9)
Lawrence University, Appleton – NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME (Past info: https://www.lawrence.edu/music-arts Music Camp (all ages) but you will have to do a search on this site for camps.
Lakeland College, Sheboygan – Lakeland Music Summer Camp
Music Camp (all ages)
Shell Lake Camps, Eau Claire – Shell Lake Jazz (and other) Camps
Week 1 Jazz Ensemble & Combo, Week II Jazz Ensemble & Combo, Jazz Combo Camp, Saxophone Workshop, Trumpet Workshop, Guitar and Bass Workshop, & Middle School Concert Band
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Twin Lakes, Michigan –Blue Lake Camps All Fine Arts areas represented at camp. (Music, Art and Dance)
Music For All Camp, Muncie Indiana – Music For All Camp Middle School Concert Band, High School Concert Band and HS Leadership camp
Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, Milwaukee – Summer Camps Chamber Music, Jazz, Piano and Percussion Camps
Band Camp Scholarship Application for
North MS Band Students
All students applying for a band scholarship need to complete the application below and must attend a camp for approximately one week during the summer. Partial funding for the clinic/camp will be required by you and/or your family.
Name of Applicant______________________________________________________Current grade _________ Choice of a camp (see attached list) ____________________________________________________________
Since partial funding may be provided through the scholarship and additional funding will be needed, please have a parent sign below to acknowledge their understanding of the financial commitment.
Parent Signature ____________________________________________________________________________
Date _________ Parent Phone _______________________ Parent email ______________________________
Directions: The questions below must be answered on another sheet of paper (please complete on a computer or very neat handwriting) and return your answers stapled to this sheet. Selection of recipients will be based on your application and the student’s commitment and performance this year in band. This application is due to your director no later than Tuesday, April 22nd.
1. Why do you want to go to a summer music camp?
2. What makes you the best candidate for a scholarship?
3. How do you hope to improve musically?
Announcements of scholarship winners will be made at the band concerts. (Parents will be notified earlier so they can complete the application, but we would like to keep it a surprise for the students until their final concert.) Parents can register online for the camp at any time (we recommend you submit the deposit only). If your child earns the scholarship a check will be made out by the Band Bunch to the camp with any necessary supplement from yourself. Contact with the Band Bunch treasurer will be necessary for follow up information and a letter. This information will be in a letter to recipients of the scholarship.
2025-26 School Year Options
Below is a list of options for your child to participate in an outside experience for the next school year. These organizations have auditions occurring now and over the rest of spring. Students would prepare for an audition based on the expectations of the ensemble. That information can be found at each of the websites listed below. Each of the organizations rehearse weekly and have approximately three concerts per year. We highly recommend you go through the below websites to get all the details and make a decision of what works best for you and your family. (If you decide too late – past the deadline, let us know so we can reach out to the organizations if necessary.) Typically we have many Menomonee Falls students involved in these organizations so carpooling can be an option. Be sure to discuss with your band director so they can help prepare you for the audition.
1. UWM Youth Wind Ensemble (UWAY)
A performing ensemble out of UW Milwaukee where it’s student performers are selected by audition. All students selected are a part of concert bands. Please see the attached website for more information:
WEBSITE: https://uwm.edu/arts/outreach-events/youth-wind-ensemble/
2. Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO)
This organization is not associated with a university but has its own facility downtown Milwaukee called the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center. They have a variety of ensembles to audition for. Additional information can be found at:
WEBSITE: https://myso.org/