Orchestra camp

Junior and Senior High STRING Musicians
(Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass)

July 12-July 17, 2026

The Summer Orchestra Camp, sponsored by the Messiah University Department of Music, offers an exciting opportunity for students entering grades 7 through 12 from July 12-July 17, 2026.

Student musicians will play in one of two large ensembles divided by age (Junior High and Senior High). They will rehearse each day with their group and rehearse as a combined all-camp orchestra. The camp ends with a final Friday afternoon concert featuring the three performing groups (Junior High, Senior High and combined). Daily, students will work with a teacher on their specific instrument in a master classes group setting. Here students will learn new techniques, polish old ones, perform, and work on issues specific to their own instrument. The students have an hour of chamber ensembles each day where they are assigned to a small group, work with an instructor and learn to rehearse on their own. These small ensembles will perform on the Thursday evening of camp. Each day the students will have an hour of chorus with a Messiah University professor. All these classes and ensembles are taught by expert artist-teachers comprised of Messiah University faculty and orchestral educators from Central Pennsylvania.

Concert Dates

• Chamber Ensembles Concert: Thursday, July 16 at 7PM
• Orchestra Concert: Friday, July 17 at 3PM

Tuition

• Residents: $740
• Commuters: $640

Register for junior and senior high string musicians Here

Elementary Orchestra Camp
(Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass)

Monday, July 13, 2026 - Friday, July 17, 2026

A new Messiah string camp for young string players entering grades 3-6 (Students should have 6 months to one year of playing experience)

Camp Times

Monday - Thursday: 8:30AM-11:50AM
Friday: 8:30AM - 2:00PM

Tuition

Tuition for Elementary Orchestra Camp is $185.

Sample Schedule

Monday - Thursday Schedule

• 8:30AM - arrival
• 8:45AM-10:00AM - Orchestra rehearsal (with stretching breaks)
• 10:00AM-11:00AM - Masterclasses. Students will be divided by instrument and will get a chance to work on setup and technique through fun games and activities with teachers specializing in their instrument.
• 11:00AM-11:50AM - Enrichment time. Students will have a variety of musical activities that could include singing, movement and rhythm games, watching performances and fiddling.

Friday Schedule

• 11:45AM-12:15PM - Lunch (bring your own)
• 12:20PM-12:45PM - Rehearsal in Parmer Hall\
• 1:00PM - Performance for family and friends