SYMS: Summer Youth Music School
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For the past sixty years, UNH's Summer Youth Music School (SYMS) has offered students a chance to spend time making music together. A junior and a senior session are offered each summer. |
The Program
Students concentrate on a major instrument or voice part and choose electives to broaden their experience. They associate with talented young musicians who share their excitement about music, and they study with outstanding teachers and freelance artists. Enrollment for certain instruments may be limited.
In addition to concert bands, a variety of choruses, a string orchestra, and a full orchestra, we offer master classes, small ensembles, jazz groups, and other opportunities designed to improve each student's technique and musical understanding. Stimulating and challenging classes are available to students at all levels. Private lessons, at additional cost, are available to interested students.
Students and faculty members give a variety of evening recitals throughout the sessions. Each session concludes with a final concert.
Junior Session: July 11 - 16, 2010
- Tuition for the one week session, including room and board, TBD
- To take part in SYMS Junior Session students must have just completed grade 7 or 8.
Specializations
- band, jazz band, chorus, and string orchestra
- instrument and voice master class
- piano
- jazz guitar
- musicianship/theory
- 1 half-hour private lesson available for an extra fee
Senior Session: July 19 - July 31, 2010
- Tuition for the two week session, including room and board, TBD
- To take part in the SYMS Senior Session students must have just completed grade 9, 10, 11, or 12.
Specializations
- master class on major instrument or voice
- wind ensemble/concert band
- orchestras: symphony and string
- choruses: select, mixed, men's, women's
- foreign language vocal coaching
- jazz: band, choir, rhythm section, improvisation class, piano, guitar
- small ensembles: string, woodwind, brass, percussion, guitar, piano, and voice
- conducting classes
- piano accompanying
- solo performance in student recitals
- musical theatre
- music history and theory classes
- music technology classes
- composition and arranging
- 2 half-hour private lessons available for an extra fee
Senior Scholarship: Limited scholarship aid, based on musical achievement, is available to senior students. To apply, make an audio performance tape or CD and send it with a written request and a recommendation from your music teacher to Professor Mark DeTurk, c/o UNH Department of Music, PCAC, 30 College Road, Durham, NH 03824-3538. The deadline is June 1, 2009.
Insurance
Students must secure their own hospitalization and/or accident insurance. A SYMS medical treatment release form is due prior to or upon arrival. This form will be mailed to you upon receipt of of your application.
All student instruments should be covered by personal insurance policies. SYMS cannot be responsible for the security of individual instruments.
Housing, Dining, & Recreation
Participants live in a modern UNH residence hall with students from around the country, eat in a cafeteria-style dining room, and have a chance to use the University's Memorial Union Building and indoor and outdoor pools. Students will be closely supervised, with one dormitory counselor for each ten students in the Junior Session, and one counselor for each twenty-five students in the Senior Session.
More Questions?
Click here for general information regarding SYMS Junior Session
Click here to see a typical day at Junior SYMS
Click here for general information regarding SYMS Senior Session
Click here to see a typical day at Senior SYMS
Applying to SYMS
Check back in February for online applications and download applications.
For more information, please telephone the UNH Music Department at 603-862-2404 or write us at:
Summer Youth Music School
Department of Music
Paul Creative Arts Center
30 College Road
Durham, NH 03824-3541


