Prelude Camp
July 28 - August 11, 2025
NEMC’s Prelude Camp offers young musicians ages 9-13 a supportive environment to further develop musicianship skills and ensemble experience, through participation in string orchestra, wind ensemble, jazz band, and symphonic orchestra, plus exploration of various other musical genres. This program is uniquely curated to meet each camper's individual musical needs.
Nestled amidst the serene beauty of our Maine lakefront campus, this program offers a harmonious blend of education and artistic exploration. Guided by seasoned instructors, Prelude campers embark on a journey of musical discovery, learning essential techniques, theory, and ensemble musicianship. The program strikes a delicate balance between focused instruction and joyful camaraderie, encouraging friendships to flourish as harmoniously as the melodies that resonate through the camp's vibrant community. With each note played and every chord struck, the Prelude Camp at New England Music Camp nurtures the passion and potential of its youngest participants, setting the stage for a lifelong love affair with music.
Eligible instruments include violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion, and piano.
The daily musical schedule focuses on large ensemble rehearsals but also includes small group lessons, and classes including performance etiquette, chamber music, and practice techniques. String players will perform in a string orchestra; winds, brass, and percussion students will perform in a concert band. Select advanced string and wind players may perform in the full orchestra. Multiple levels of each ensemble will fit the needs of every musician. Jazz Band and Jazz for Strings will also be offered! This two-week session will culminate with a brilliant concert at the Bowl in the Pines.
2025 Program dates: 
July 28, 2025 - August 11, 2025
Cost:
- $3300 - financial aid is available
Admission Process:
- Register online through Accepted and submit $75 application fee
- Submit a playing sample and all required materials online.
- All campers are accepted! Playing samples allow the conductors to choose repertoire for the session.
Playing Sample Requirements
- One solo piece that showcases the applicant's current playing level.
- 1, 2, or 3 octave scale of the musician's choice
Admission will be on a rolling, first come-first served basis.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Instrumentation: Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Percussion, and Piano
- Ages 9-13 and entering grades 4-9 in Fall 2025
- Musicians must have completed at least one full year of playing, either in private lessons or through a school orchestra or band program.
2024 Faculty (2025 TBA):
|
Bass |
Program Coordinator
Percussion & Brass |
Violin & Viola |
|
Patricia DeSorbo Band Conductor Violin |
Orchestra Conductor |
Cello
Woodwinds |
85th & 86th Anniversary Alumni Reunion
July 15 - 17, 2022
New England Music Camp will be celebrating our 85th & 86th Anniversary with an Alumni Reunion weekend July 15 through July 17th, 2022. Former campers, counselors, faculty & staff are encouraged to join us for this fun-filled weekend! Registration for Alumni Weekend is Open!
PLEASE NOTE: In order to keep our camper population safe throughout reunion, Covid-19 Vaccination AND proof of negative Covid Test* is REQUIRED for Reunion 2022. Please bring proof of vaccination and negative test with you when you arrive on campus. Full vaccination will require all who are eligible to receive a booster shot in addition to the initial vaccine prior to the 2 weeks of arrival at camp.
*If you are using an at-home covid test, it should be taken within 24 hours of arrival. Please also take a picture of your result and stamp it with you name, date, and time.
Registration Information & Cost
$75 Single Registration
$50 for Young Alumni (currently college and graduate students)
$240 - Family/Friends Four Pack
All children age 11 and under are free.
Registration fee includes:
- S’mores/soft drinks on Friday night
- BBQ on Saturday and Brunch Sunday
- Reception on Saturday night
- Welcome Gift
- Two Drink Tickets for various events
- Waterfront coverage & Kayak/Canoe trips
- Discounted rates at local hotels/venues
- Covid-19 Rapid test (if needed!)
Tickets to the Alumni Showcase Concert featuring BAILEN, Goodnight Blue Moon, and Rebecca McCartney are NOW ON SALE! Use the promo code "NEMC85" to receive discounted tickets! Purchase tickets HERE.
Schedule of Events
Friday, July 15, 2022
1:00p - 5:00p - Registration & Check-In @ The Office
7:30p - Student Honor Recital, Alumni Hall
9:00p - Campfire & S'mores
Saturday, July 16, 2022
8:00a - 1:00p - Visit Classes & Rehearsals
12:00p - 1:30p - Canoe Trips & Waterfront Open for Swimming
2:00p - Concert, Bowl (Concert Groups)
5:45p - BBQ Cookout, The Y at the Lodge
7:00p - Alumni Showcase Concert, Bowl (TICKETED EVENT) featuring BAILEN, Goodnight Blue Moon, and Rebecca McCartney
9:30p - Alumni Reception (cash bar)
Sunday, July 17, 2022
9:30a - 10:30a - Alumni Brunch & NEMC Update Q&A, The Lodge
12:00p - 2:00p - Waterfront Open
2:00p - Alumni Jazz Concert, Bowl
3:00p - Concert, Bowl (Symphonic Groups)
Chamber Music Intensive Daily Schedule
Morning-
7:40a - 8:15a Breakfast
8:45a - 12:00p Group Rehearsals & Classes
Afternoon-
12:00p - 1:00p: Lunch
1:00p - 4:00p Lessons, Practice, Recreational Activities
4:00p - 6:00p:Workshops, Additional Classes, Rehearsals, Free Time
Evening-
6p Dinner
6:45p - 8:30p Free Time
8:45p Evening Activity
A full daily schedule, including days off and evening activities will be dispersed to program participants upon admission.
Music Program
Instrumentalists and vocalists at New England Music Camp spend their mornings in four one-hour periods of music taught by a prestigious faculty of professional performers and educators from universities, colleges, and highly recognized public and private school music programs. A 4:1 faculty to student ratio provides an environment rich in sharing and learning. Students and their teachers at home often remark that “one summer of music at NEMC is like a year at home”!
Campers at New England Music Camp design their own schedules, choosing from a wide range of classes. The weekly schedule includes two one half-hour private lessons, with the option to add additional lesson time, and participation in one or more of the major performing groups. Public performances take place on Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm at our outdoor amphitheater, the Bowl-in-the-Pines.
NEMC Employment
Snow Pond Center for the Arts is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Snow Pond Center for the Arts makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.
Faculty
Faculty members at New England Music Camp are carefully chosen for both their achievements as professional performers and their recognition for excellence in teaching. We live in a close knit community where we dine family style and many of our faculty enjoy joining the campers on the recreation fields.
Click on the appropriate department below to read faculty bios.
Music Lessons