about the camp...

Kingston Summer Music (KSM) was created in the summer of 2000 as a way for local elementary and high school musicians to improve their performing skills in the summer away from the rigors of normal school life and with a professional instructor on their instrument at their disposal for the week. Throughout its eleven years KSM has welcomed students from all the local high schools and many of its elementary schools, as well as students from as far away as Ottawa and Newfoundland. KSM also caters to Kingston’s growing population of adult musicians wanting to receive master instruction at a very affordable price. Some participants of Kingston Summer Music have gone on to music programs at Queen’s University, the University of Toronto and Wilfred Laurier University.

The goals of Kingston Summer Music are to provide professional instruction on band instruments and to provide opportunities for performance in concert bands, stage bands (Jazz), small ensembles and large ensembles. Five days of intensive instruction will lead to a Friday afternoon concert with each student performing in at least three ensembles.

Kingston Summer Music is housed at Regiopolis-Notre Dame High School. This wonderful air-conditioned facility provides a large Cafetorium performance area, many classrooms to serve as instructional rooms and a large common area for impromptu performances and social gathering. The instructors are all local music professionals and include: Hugh Johnston (conductor, trumpeter and music educator) as director of the school; Gordon Craig (Queen’s University director of bands, orchestra and clarinet, Principal clarinet Kingston Symphony), Anne Palmer (Kingston Symphony flutist and local flute teacher), Mike Verner (Kingston Symphony trumpeter and music teacher at Sydenham High School), John Palmer (Kingston Symphony trombonist, Orchestra Kingston Conductor, local composer and music educator) and Greg Runions (percussionist with Kingston Symphony, Queen’s Jazz Ensemble director and jazz composer). Other instructors are hired as needed.

The school is open to anyone who plays a band instrument and enjoys making music. The students will be divided into Intermediate or Advanced bands based upon their experience. This is not a school for absolute beginners on an instrument. All students must have at least a basic knowledge of both playing a band instrument and reading music. Band instruments include the following: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, horn, baritone, trombone, tuba, bass (electric or acoustic) and percussion.

who can play?

The school is open to anyone who plays a band instrument and enjoys making music. This is not a school for absolute beginners; all students must have at least a basic knowledge of both playing a band instrument and reading music. Advanced students are also challenged by activities such as Senior Concert Band and advanced ensembles.

other information...

Participants must provide their own instrument and transportation to and from the school. All students will be supplied with a music folder, and a T-shirt for the final concert. The final concert is Friday, July 10th at 4:00 p.m. at Regi. Parents and friends are encouraged to attend.

Click here to see Kingston Summer Music instructors.