Menomonee Falls Music SUMMER MUSIC OPPORTUNITIES
Often, band directors receive questions about the opportunities available to students for both summer and the next school year. We have options listed below so that you can read about the available opportunities. Summer lessons and summer camps have sign-ups starting now, and you should look into the details soon. Auditions for outside ensembles next school year typically occur in the spring (now), so it is important that you also look into those details if your child is interested.
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 iforsuggestions. (A list can be found in your student music handbook, which is always distributed at the beginning of the year.) This is typically 1 lesson per week, lasting 30 minutes. The cost is roughly $25- $ 40 per lesson.
Summer Camp Options
Summer camp opportunities are available for middle school students interested in playing in a band or studying a specific aspect of music. Students currently in sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade band can participate in a summer music camp. Knowing you are making summer plans now, we hope 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 your and your child’s interests 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. At NMS, 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 the 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 are often accepted later).
Any questions, please contact us!
Mrs. Holst & Mr. Hacker
CAMP OPTIONS
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 – Lawrence Summer 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 are represented at camp. (Music, Art, and Dance)
Birch Creek Music Performance Camps –Birch Creek Camps. Birch Creek offers four 2-week residential summer sessions in Percussion, Steel Pan & World Music, Symphony and Big Band Jazz (two sessions)
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 must complete the application below and attend a camp for approximately one week during the summer. You and your familywill be required to provide partial funding for the clinic camp.
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 with 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 the band. This application is due to your director by Friday, April 17th.
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 submitting the deposit only). If your child earns the scholarship, the Band Bunch will make a check payable to the camp, with any necessary supplement from you. Contact with the Band Bunch treasurer will be necessary for follow-up information and a letter. This information will be included in a letter to scholarship recipients.
2026-27 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 are holding auditions now and throughout the rest of the spring. Students would prepare for an audition in line with the ensemble’s expectations. That information can be found at each of the websites listed below. Each organization rehearses weekly and performs approximately three concerts per year. We recommend reviewing the websites below for all the details and deciding 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, many Menomonee Falls students are involved in these organizations, so carpooling is 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 at UW-Milwaukee, where its student performers are selected by audition. All selected students are a part of the 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 in 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/