SYMS: Summer Youth Music School

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.

Register online now!

Junior Session
July 14-19, 2013 

Senior Session
July 23-August 3, 2013

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.

SYMS Faculty 2013

Andrew Boysen (UNH) band
Daniel Bukvich (University of Idaho)  jazz choir and percussion
Jenni Carbaugh Cook (UNH) voice, opera
Kenneth Clark (Timberlane Schools) band and percussion
Elizabeth Gunlogson (UNH) clarinet
Margaret Herlehy (UNH) oboe
Stephanie Ratté Jenkins (Concord Community Music School) clarinet
William Kempster (UNH) choirs
Arlene Kies (UNH) piano
Christopher Kies (UNH) piano
Mary Hall Kogen (Portland State University) TaKeTiNa
Amy Kotsonis (Doctoral student Florida State University) voice
Marc LaForce (Oyster River High School) jazz band, saxophone
Mark Latham (Manchester Youth Orchestra) violin
David Newsam (UNH) guitar
Nicholas Orovich (UNH) band and trombone
Janet Polk (UNH) bassoon
David Seiler (UNH) saxophone, jazz
Timothy Shade (Bethel College) low brass
David Upham (UNH) orchestra
Robert Stibler (UNH) trumpet and brass quintet
Peggy Vagts (UNH) flute

Junior Session: July 14-19, 2013   

• 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

Cost for 2013 session $700 ($600 for commuters)

Senior Session: July 23 - August 3, 2013    

• 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
• composition and arranging
• 2 half-hour private lessons available for an extra fee

Cost for 2013 session $1100 ($900 for commuters)

Senior Session Scholarship: Limited scholarship aid, based on musical achievement, is available to Senior Session 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 Academic Way, Durham, NH 03824. The deadline is June 1, 2013.

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 to download the SYMS 2013 application, or register online now! Junior Session or Senior Session

SYMS most frequently asked questions

Click here to see a typical day at Junior SYMS

Click here to see a typical day at Senior SYMS

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 Academic Way
Durham, NH 03824-2617
 

Click here to send SYMS an email

Looking for a program designed for those students completing grades 4-6? Try SYMS Prep.