Prelude Program

Available to our Middler campers who are finishing 5th and 6th grade

Our Prelude Program is is the Lower Camp precursor to our Upper Camp Conservatory Program, created specifically for Middlers who are eager to experience a rigorous musical lesson and practice schedule, and whose musical talent is on par with upper campers. It is not available to Staccato campers. Since it is level-based, admittance to this program is by audition only, via a video or audio recording.

Private Lessons: Prelude campers receive 2 hours of private instruction each week. This is split into 1.5 hours on their primary instrument, and 30 minutes on their secondary instrument. Of course, campers can study only one instrument and receive the full 2 hours-worth of lessons on that instrument. If the schedule allows, we will split the middler’s lessons into 3: an hour lesson, and 2 separate 30 minute lessons, so the camper will have lessons more often throughout the week.

Practice: All Prelude campers are required to have 1 hour of individual practice time in their schedule during the day, which is in addition to the lower camp required “Supervised Practice” which happens directly after dinner.

Upper Camp Opportunities: Each Prelude camper will be placed into 1 upper camp performing ensemble in addition to their regularly scheduled lower camp ensembles.

Performance: We encourage our Prelude campers to perform as much as possible. Frequent performance opportunities are built into the regular fabric of Encore/Coda, including regular camper concerts, staff concerts, performance & master classes and special end-of-session concerts.

Lower Campers who are still looking for an intense musical experience but don’t play at the Prelude level will still be able to design their schedule to be packed with great musical instruction most hours of the day!

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Recordings are sent to Cara: cara@encorecoda.com

INSTRUMENTALISTS Please include the following in the recording:

  • A two minute video displaying your camper’s technical skills. This can be an assortment of scales/arpeggios/chords or technical etudes.
  • 2 contrasting solo pieces that best demonstrate your overall playing ability (concerto movement, etude, jazz standard, etc.) ===> We prefer to hear challenging pieces that showcase your strengths.  Your teacher should be able to advise you on specific choices.

VOCALISTS Please include the following in the recording:

  • Sing two major scales in solfege (do-re-mi) that best demonstrate your range, intonation, and fluency
  • 2 contrasting solo pieces that best demonstrate your overall ability
cello orchestra

Typical Schedule Opportunities

Guitar/Bass–Jazz/Rock
Upper camp rock band or combo, 2 hours of lessons, 2 periods of individual practice, performance class, guitar/bass workshop, optional musicianship class and additional ensembles like choir, theater, rock, and jazz.

Piano–Classical
Upper camp piano workshop, 2 hours of lessons, 2 periods of individual practice, intensive chamber music (rehearses every day), performance class, optional musicianship class and additional ensembles like choir, theater, rock, and jazz.

Piano–Jazz
Upper camp workshop or combo, 2 hours of lessons, 2 periods of individual practice, optional upper camp improvisation, jazz band, performance class, additional ensembles like choir, theater, and rock.

Strings
Play in Senior Orchestra, intensive chamber music (rehearses every day), 2 hours of lessons, 2 periods of individual practice, performance class, additional ensembles like choir, theater, rock, and jazz.

Wind/Brass/Percussion–Classical
Play in Wind Ensemble, intensive chamber music (rehearses every day), 2 hours of lessons, 2 periods of individual practice, performance class, additional ensembles like choir, theater, rock, and jazz.

Wind/Brass/Percussion–Jazz
Upper camp combo, 2 hours of lessons, 2 periods of individual practice, jazz band, performance class, wind ensemble and symphonic winds, additional ensembles like choir, theater, and rock.

Vocal
Upper Camp Chorus, 2 hours of lessons, 2 periods of individual practice, musical theater, performance class, voice workshop, additional ensembles like chamber groups, rock, and jazz.

Other Activities
All Lower Campers will still have required Rest Hour, Sports, and Swim. Prelude campers will occasionally miss an hour of sports or swim to fit in their daily practice. Due to the requirements of the Prelude Schedule, there is less flexibility for electives.