FAQs

June 17, 2024

The orchestra camp welcomes and looks forward to working with students of every level of ability and interest and registration will be first come first served. Applicants must be entering grades 7 - 12 in the Fall of 2024 to be accepted. 

Students are required to audition for seating in orchestra and chamber group on the first night of camp.  Solo repertoire, etudes, and school orchestra pieces are acceptable audition material.  Students may also be asked to sight read a short selection.  This is just so we know where to place you and so our master class teachers can get to know you before the first full camp day.

An automatic email will be generated at the time of registration indicating that the student has been registered in the orchestra camp. This email will include basic information about your registration and function as a receipt.

In June you will receive further information about the orchestra camp.

Residents $725

Commuters $625

Meals

Residential students will receive three meals per full day, served in Lottie Nelson dining hall.

Commuter Students will receive lunch and dinner in Lottie Nelson dining hall.

Meals are through lunch on Friday, July 19.

Students will live in air-conditioned residence hall rooms shared with one to three roommates of the same sex. Males and females will be located on separate halls and will have a dorm counselor to supervise activities.

Students will have access to Messiah University’s facilities and scenic grounds including the tennis courts, outdoor fitness course, volleyball courts, library, computer facilities and outdoor athletic facilities. Due to athletic camps, students will not have access to the indoor gym and pool.

Cash is not absolutely required and students are encouraged to limit the amount of cash they bring to campus. However, there will be opportunities to spend money during the course of the camp and students will likely feel they need some cash on hand. They will have access to Messiah University vending machines and to the bookstore, as well as to the coffee shop on campus.

You may pay camp tuition at the time of registration.

• You may pay online by credit or debit card.
• At this time, we do not offer registration by mail. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please contact Kelly Athey at kathey@messiah.edu.

Refunds are available until June 17, 2024 except for the cancellation fee charge. After June 17, full or partial refunds will be available minus the cancellation fee charge only in cases of documented medical or family emergencies.

You will be notified in the event that your child falls ill or is injured. If your child falls ill and requires medical attention, the staff of the Orchestra Camp will follow the instructions that you provide on the health form you will submit before the workshop begins. Public safety staff members on campus are trained in basic emergency procedures and can transport students to nearby medical facilities in cases of emergency.

The camp director will collect for safekeeping medications that you specify on the health form. The dorm counselor will distribute medications to students per the instructions given on the health form. High school students who self medicate will need to bring the meds to registration and fill out a permission form with parent signature and medication details.

Please be sure and inform us on the health form if your child has a disability that requires any kind of special accommodation. Messiah University is a disability-friendly campus. The buildings that we will be using as part of workshop are designed to be accessible. We will not have staff specifically trained in dealing with students with disability, but we are committed to making sure that all students experience a safe, fun, and productive learning environment, and will do all in our power to ensure that such an environment is created.

Students may check out basketballs, soccer balls, volleyball equipment, Frisbees and regular playground balls from Messiah University Conference Services.

Students are welcome to bring other sporting equipment and board/card games; however, skateboards and in-line skates are prohibited on campus.

All students should bring their own instrument and accessories.  It is highly suggested that violin and viola players come to camp with an extra set of strings.

Students should bring music for their audition and music to work on during the master classes.  Any additional music for playing with friends is also encouraged.

Bring 2-3 pencils for writing in music. 

Students should also bring their enthusiasm, imagination, and determination to improve!

Daily attire is casual, a sweater is recommended as rooms can be cold.  Concert dress for the Friday orchestra concert will include white shirt and dark slacks for gentlemen and white blouse and dark skirt or slacks for ladies.  Thursday evening chamber concert attire is dressy concert clothing.

No, you will need to bring your own linens and blankets. College beds are twin extra long.

The campus bookstore sells basic amenities for students' toiletry needs

The students will be in college dorm rooms, so they will be sharing a bathroom and will have individual showers, but it will be in a large area with several other individual showers.  It is recommended that they bring shower shoes or flip flops along with a robe to wear when they get out of the shower.

If they forget any toiletry needs or basic amenities, the campus bookstore does sell items.  

It is highly suggested that students pack an umbrella as they will need to walk between buildings on campus.  A backpack or slack pack is recommended.