WORKSHOPS
For 0-3 years of experience, ages 7 and up (except Kinder Violin for ages 5-6).
Workshop classes are a good choice for brand new or developing musicians. Students with some instrument experience will be placed in classes with peers of compatible skill level. Enrollment includes daily Choir, Rhythm, Movement and Fundamentals classes.
One week option NOT available for Workshop Courses.
Kinder Violin
Ages 5 to 6. More info soon.
Faculty: Kyle Craft
Beginning or Continuing Violin and Viola
No prior music experience is necessary for beginning violin and viola; 0-3 years' experience for continuing violin and viola students. Classes teach students to play violin or viola in a group setting. More experienced players develop new skills and hone the fundamentals. Ages 7 and up.
Faculty: Alex Volonts & Caleb Forschen
Beginning or Continuing Cello
No prior music experience is necessary for beginning cello; 0-3 years' experience for continuing students cello. Classes teach students to play the cello in a group setting. More experienced players develop new skills and hone the fundamentals. Ages 7 and up.
Faculty: Joel Cohen
Double Bass Intensive
No prior music experience is necessary for beginning bass; 0-3 years' experience for continuing students bass. Classes teach students to play the bass in a group setting. More experienced players develop new skills and hone the fundamentals. Ages 7 and up.
Faculty: Karen Zimmerman
Beginning or Continuing Guitar
No prior music experience is necessary for beginning guitar; 0-3 years' experience for continuing guitar. Classes teach guitar technique, standard music notation and music theory in a group setting. Includes both ensemble and solo playing. Ages 7 and up.
Faculty: Chris Newton & Liz Fanora Jones
Beginning or Continuing Woodwinds
Appropriate for beginning to intermediate students who have played woodwinds for 0-3 years. Open to flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, and bassoon. Classes introduce students to playing woodwinds in a group setting. More experienced players develop new skills and hone the fundamentals.
Faculty: Sara Williams
Beginning or Continuing Brass
Appropriate for beginning to intermediate students who have played brass instruments for 0-3 years. Open to horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, and tuba. Classes introduce students playing brass in a group setting. More experienced players develop new skills and hone the fundamentals.
Faculty: Rachel Aragaki
All workshop courses include supplemental classes in Rhythm, Movement, and Choir
Faculty: Darina Drapkin (Rhythm, Movement) & Lia Wiese (Choir)
PERFORMANCE ACADEMY
For experienced instrumentalists, ages 9 - 23.
Students focus on performance in an ensemble setting and deepen their musical understanding through specialty classes such as composition, conducting, improvisation, music theory, and more. The courses culminate in a performance on Saturday, July 29. Students are appropriately placed in ensembles by audition.
One-week option is available ONLY for Chamber Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Theater/Film/Video Games, and Advanced Reading Orchestra/Wind Ensemble. Customize a package by selecting one of these ensembles for each week.
One-week option NOT available for Prelude, Intermezzo, or Intermediate Wind Ensemble.
Prelude String Orchestra
Audition required. Open to violin, viola, cello, and double bass. No prior ensemble experience required. Students must have played their instrument for at least one year. Students will master the basics of playing in an ensemble.
Faculty: Karen Zimmerman
Intermezzo String Orchestra
Audition required. Open to violin, viola, cello, and double bass. For intermediate string students with at least two years' ensemble experience. Students will learn to follow a conductor as they enhance their ensemble skills, improve their technique and develop their musicianship.
Faculty: Jeanette Isenberg
Chamber Ensemble - One week course option available
Audition required. Open to violin, viola, cello, and double bass. For advanced string students with at least four years ensemble experience. Classes will focus on technique and ensemble playing as students practice standard repertoire for chamber ensembles. Students also choose one specialty class (composition, conducting, or improvisation) to complement their ensemble learning. May enroll for one, two or three weeks.
Faculty: Ivy Zenobi
Intermediate Wind Ensemble
Audition required. Open to all woodwinds and brass. For intermediate woodwind and brass students with at least two years' ensemble experience. Students will learn to follow a conductor as they enhance their ensemble skills, improve their technique and develop their musicianship.
Faculty: Matt Bringedahl
Jazz Ensemble - One week course option available
Audition required. Open to all instruments. For intermediate to advanced students, this class is an exploration of different jazz styles, with a focus on improvisation technique and ensemble playing. There is a special need for musicians who play drum set, bass (electric or upright) and piano. Drum set and keyboard are provided by Santa Rosa Symphony. Students also choose one specialty class (composition, conducting, or improvisation) to complement their ensemble learning. May enroll for one, two or three weeks.
Faculty: Robert Bowman
Theater/Film/Video Game Ensemble - One week course option available
No Audition required. Open to all instruments. This course explores the music of film, video games and musical theater, giving students a taste of the life of a professional musician. The course is broken into three weeks by topic. Students also choose one specialty class (composition, conducting, or improvisation) to complement their ensemble learning. May enroll for one, two or three weeks.
Film Music: July 10 - 14
Theater Music: July 17 - 21
Video Game Music: July 24 - 28
Faculty: Costantinos Dafnis
Advanced Reading Orchestra/Wind Ensemble - One week course option available
Audition required, unless you are a current AYO or SRSYO member. We are excited to announce new offerings of Advanced Reading Orchestra and Wind Ensemble taught by SRSYO conductor, Bobby Rogers! Students will spend each 5-day intensive reading through repertoire for their respective ensemble, developing their skills in sight-reading and ensemble musicianship. These special 1-week courses include daily Music Theory and Chamber Music and are geared toward upper-intermediate to advanced musicians, especially those who are interested in joining, or who are already members of, the Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra. Students must be able to read Grade 3 level music. May enroll for one or two weeks.
Advanced Reading Wind Ensemble: July 17-21. Open to all woodwinds, brass, percussion, and string bass.
Advanced Reading Orchestra: July 24-28. Open to all orchestral instruments (strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion).
Faculty: Bobby Rogers
Performance Academy courses include supplemental classes such as Music Exploration Lab, Music Technology, Conducting, Improvisation, and Musical Wellness.
Faculty: Jeanette Isenberg & Matt Bringedahl (Music Exploration Lab), Costantinos Dafnis (Music Technology), Robert Bowman (Improvisation), & Julio Reyes (Conducting, Musical Wellness)
If you have questions about Summer Music Academy, please contact program manager, Ryan Contreras.
We gratefully acknowledge the generous contribution from The Family and Friends of Sonja Coyman-Myklebust, in loving memory.
Banner photo by Susan and Neil Silverman Photography