The Millikin University Preparatory Department in the School of Music is pleased to present its schedule of 2013 summer music camps. 

The Preparatory Department offers a variety of summer music experiences for children of all ages including Summer Sings, the annual children's choir camp, held for one week in June. Each year the camp takes on a new theme and includes daily choral practice, a variety of electives, and a combined finale concert.

Also featured this summer is Music Alive, a one-week exploration of musical creativity for elementary/middle school-aged children. The camp offers students the opportunity to craft their own music in Millikin's state-of-the-art computer lab.

Other summer activities include a high school piano camp, guitar camp, and creative movement camp. The following is a list of 2013 summer music camps presented by the Millikin University School of Music Preparatory Department:

Millikin Children's Choir, Summer Sings: "Jungle Heat Meets Jungle Beat"
June 10-14, 9 a.m. – noon
Students entering kindergarten in fall 2013 – 6th grade
Cost: $75

All singers will have the opportunity to sing exciting jungle songs and participate in all daily electives, which will include making a rainstick, drumming, and Indonesian hand dancing. The camp concludes with a public performance on June 14 at 11 a.m.

Music Alive
June 17-21, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Students entering grades 5-9
Cost: $90

Students will explore musical creativity by improvising and composing new music, using recording and musical production software such as GarageBand and Finale. The program will culminate with a presentation and a CD recording of student work.

Guitar Camp
June 17-21, 9 a.m. – noon (Beginning Guitar), 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. (Intermediate Guitar)
Students entering grades 5-12
Cost: $90

The Guitar Camp beginner class will include an introduction to guitar, tuning, primary chords in several keys, basic strumming and fingerpicking, basic music reading and music fundamentals, easy song accompaniments and melodies. The intermediate class will offer an overview of guitar basics, scales, more advanced chords, more advanced strumming and fingerpicking, and various styles including blues, rock and jazz. Students must provide their own guitar, acoustic or electric.

High School Piano Camp
July 7-13
Students in grades 9-12 who are currently taking piano lessons
Cost: $520 – Boarders, $370 – Commuters

Spend six days at Millikin's all-Steinway school to improve, hone and perfect your piano skills. Morning sessions will feature an overview of the history of jazz, piano technique and an opportunity to learn and rehearse a jazz duet piece. In the afternoon, students will have the opportunity to practice and receive private lessons from Millikin piano faculty as well as participate in workshops on performance anxiety and jazz improvisation. All meals and a daily snack included. Students will be asked to prepare two pieces of contrasting styles for this camp.

Creative Arts & Music Development Camp
July 8-12, 9 a.m. – noon (Early Childhood), 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. or 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Elementary)
Early Childhood – children ages 2-5, Elementary – students entering grades 1-5
Cost: $90 ($186 for the full-day option)

The early childhood camp features a story-telling theme that is explored through music, art, and literature. The music development class is filled with singing, movement, classical music, and the opportunity to play classroom instruments while the art session features skill development through drawing, painting, and producing three-dimensional projects.

The elementary camp will be based on a musical play where children will enjoy music-making that incorporates poetry, singing, technology and instrument playing. Campers will explore their artistic side through drawing, painting, and Chinese calligraphy.

For further information regarding the 2013 summer music camps, please contact Melinda Shaw, Millikin School of Music coordinator for outreach and community relations at 217.424.6342, via e-mail at mtshaw@millikin.edu, or visit www.millikin.edu/preparatory.