~Summer Sounds Music Camp – 2010~
 

Mr. Scharr conducting a Wind Rehearsal 

Summer Sounds Music Camp enters its eighth year in 2010.  The camp brings together a wonderful group of young musicians and gives them the opportunity to work with some of the area’s best professionals while having fun in the process.  Students should have a minimum of two years playing experience in order to take full advantage of the program.  Therefore, students generally are ready for SSMC the summer before entering sixth grade.

George Scharr, Camp Director of  Summer Sounds Music Camp, is the Education Director of the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra and a faculty member at Falmouth Academy.  

"Getting young people excited about music" is Mr. Scharr's primary goal.  Scharr is also a bass trombonist with the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra and the CCSO Brass Quintet;  he is the band leader of the Symphony Swing Band and the Downtown Dixie Strutters. 

Mr. Scharr is actively involved with the camp on a day-to-day basis and states that "Summer music camp should be a fun and exciting time for young people."  Classes are held in: 

  • Concert band
  • Jazz band and the "solo"
  • Brass, woodwind, string and rhythm ensembles
  • Performance
  • Music composition
  • NEW THIS YEAR - Vocal performance 
 

A typical day at SSMC:

Camp begins at 9:00 a.m. and runs until 1:00 p.m. each day for two weeks, except the final Friday, which is SSMC Concert day (the concert is typically held in the early afternoon).  Students may enroll for either or both of the two weeks, but attending for the full session definitely enhances the experience. 

The basic format of a typical day is to begin with an all camp meeting, followed by just under two hours of small ensemble work with leaders/teachers specializing in each instrumental or vocal group.   
 
Wind Sectional Practice 
String Sectional Practice    
Guitar Sectional Practice
Full Concert Band Rehearsal
 

Lunch break:  Students bring their own lunch and the camp provides drinks. 

In the last hour and a half, all the instrumental ensembles come together to form one concert band and rehearse as a full ensemble.  The vocalists will continue their rehearsal as a group. 
 

At the end of the two week program, there is a grand finale concert open to parents and friends.  The progress of these young musicians after only two weeks is truly amazing to behold.

For the 2010 Application, please go to SSMC 2010.
 
SSMC Performing at Plymouth Public Library
 

Comments from Parents: 

     “2009 will be my daughter's fifth year at Summer Sounds and we now find ourselves planning our summer activities around the camp dates. Between the mixture of music and fun, it's irresistible.” 

     “I would like to express my gratitude to you for offering the wonderful Summer Sounds program. My son ended the program feeling very positive about music and was thrilled you gave him the opportunity to solo in performance.” 

     “My daughter is already looking forward to 2009 and, thanks in part to her experience this summer, she just made the Jazz Band at her school!” 
 
 

For additional information about Summer Sounds Music Camp,

please email ssmusiccamp@comcast.net or phone 508-566-5278.