Berks Summer Band Institute
Monday Evenings, June-August beginning June 16
Muhlenberg HS
End of Summer Concert: Thursday, July 31
New for 2024 – Fightin Phils National Anthem &
Music Night with MS/HS/Adult Band: Friday, August 2
FREE FOR STUDENTS!
BSBI provides an opportunity to band musicians of all ages to play their instruments in an ability-appropriate ensemble, led by experienced music educators and music education interns. This enables students to continue their music education over the summer months. Adults can also join the ensembles at any level in which they feel comfortable.
First Year & Second Year Band: 7:00 PM;
MS & HS Band: 8:00 PM
Thanks to funding from the Neag Foundation, this program is free to all participants!
Berks Summer Band Registration
Berks Summer Band Institute Website
Berks Summer String Institute
Tuesday Evenings, Beginning June 17, 2025
Governor Mifflin Intermediate School
End of Summer Concert: Tuesday, July 29
FREE FOR STUDENTS!
Berks Summer Strings was created to simply give the Berks County young string musicians a venue to play and keep up their skills on traditional orchestral strings. We have had as many as 200 students representing 12 public and private schools in Berks County. We have three levels of skills, beginner, intermediate and advanced covering about 4th grade to 9th grade, although we have had both older and younger students participate. The program is typically 5 rehearsals and a public performance in the first week of August. During those sessions we rehearse about 3 works of music in each group. We cover music reading, technique, some basic instrument care and how to play in an ensemble.
Thanks to funding from the Neag Foundation, this program is free to all participants!
Summer Sing
Summer Sing I
June 11-13, 2025, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Olivet Center for the Arts, 328 Walnut Street, Reading
$35/Registration Fee (through Olivet BGC)
Summer Sing II
July 28- August 1, 2025 | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Atonement Lutheran Church, Wyomissing
$25/Registration Fee (through BYC)
Berks Youth Chorus offers Summer Sing as a free program, open to all young people entering grades 3 through 12. Campers learn music and vocal fundamentals in a fun, engaging and physically active setting. Students sing in small and large groups, explore their voices, improve music literacy, learn choreography and play games. BYC provides all music and education materials and a snack each day. A mini concert for family and friends is presented, on site, on Friday afternoon.
Schedule:
Monday through Thursday
Entering grades 3-4: 9am-12:15pm
Entering grades 5-7: 9am-2pm
Friday
Entering grades 3-7: 9am-2pm
2pm Mini-concert, free, for friends and family
Summer Sing II is free for 2025-2026 BYC singers!
Get Jazzed Summer Camp
with Mike Eben
Berks Arts/getJazzed
Session 1: June 23-27, 2025
Session II: July 21-25, 2025
Immanuel UCC, Shillington
For students entering grades 7-12 (Fall 2025).
STUDENTS WILL LEARN…
- jazz styles through playing and listening;
- how to improvise using scales and modes;
- the role of the rhythm section in accompanying and soloing;
- how to start your own jazz combo.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Participants should be able to read music and have at least some experience playing in jazz style.
- Drummers should have experience playing basic music styles (swing, rock, etc.) on a drum set.
Fee: $99/One Week or $180/Two Weeks
(Scholarships available through RMF)
Reading Symphony Orchestra
Junior String Academy
Information below from 2024 – Information to be updated when posted!
June 17-21, 2024
June 24-28, 2024
Beginners
1-2 years of playing – 2 hours/day – $150
Intermediate Level 1
3-4 years of playing – 2.5 hours/day – $200
Intermediate Level 2
5-6 years of playing – 3 hours/day – $240
Advanced
7 or more years of playing – 3.5 hours/day – $300
Reformation Lutheran Church, Exeter
The Reading Symphony Junior String Orchestra Academy is open to any student playing, violin, viola, cello, or bass in the greater Reading area. The program is designed to help students continue improving during the summer months, while learning new techniques. Students will learn about proper posture, playing techniques, practice strategies, musicianship, rhythm and music theory, and chamber and full ensemble playing. Students will meet Monday through Friday in various formats and will have recreation time. Friday will end with a public performance. Former RSJSO and RSYO members will serve as counselors for this camp, who have attended universities such as Eastman School of Music, the Cleveland Institute of Music, Peabody Institute and more.
(Scholarships Available through RMF)
Olivet Boys & Girls Club
Summer Theatre Camp at Olivet CFA, Reading
June 11 – August 15, 2025
Ages 6 through 14
Camp Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
$50 membership fee, plus $35 per week
Sliding scale rates available based on household income
Weekly tuition includes breakfast, lunch and 2 snacks.
Get ready for a Great Summer in the Spotlight! If you love to sing, dance, act, learn a new instrument and make “forever-friends”, Olivet’s Summer Theatre Camp is calling for yoooooooou! This Summer, Theatre campers have 3 opportunities to take the stage! Week one is our Mini-Opera Camp presented by Berks Opera Company; weeks 2 and 3 are filled with guitar, piano, African Drum and singing classes sponsored by Reading Musical Foundation to get you ready for your Face The Music concert; and then (drum roll & jazz hands, please!) the main event! Every Theatre Camper will begin rehearsals for your show that opens on July 31st! Titles under consideration for this summer are, Suess-i-cal, The Jungle Book and Willy Wonka! Once show rehearsals begin, daily attendance is expected. Each instructor and director is a highly trained music, dance and theatre professional! You’ll be working with some of the best artists in Berks County!
But wait! There’s more! Take all of the above and add in weekly trips to the pool, trips to Olivet’s Blue Mountain Camp in Hamburg (also, A POOL!), a field trip to see live theatre with professional actors, throw in some bowling, or maybe a roller-skating party, and you’ll have a summer, and friends, you will never forget!
In 2018, Olivet Summer Theatre Camp was recognized as “The Best of the Best” by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts! Come play your part this summer!
Register today! Spaces in Theatre Camp are limited and fill quickly!
Kutztown University
Summer Chamber Music Festival
June 28-July 5, 2025, Kutztown University
Junior Division – Ages 12-17 | Senior Division: 18 & Up
Tuition: $1,200 (with housing) | $1,110 (no housing) | Application Fee: $50
Scholarships available through KU and RMF
Nurturing the love of great music and developing the young artists of the future, KU’s Summer Chamber Music Festival allows emerging musicians to experience the Art of Chamber Music with internationally acclaimed artists.
Talented students from around the world join forces for one week for a fully immersive musical experience. This camp provides opportunities that go beyond the traditional music camp experience, creating a stimulating environment for musical and personal growth through and international exchange of talent and ideas.
Yocum Institute
for Arts Education
Ages 8-15
Specialty & Performance Camps
Older campers work with professional directors, actors, dancers, and artists to develop performance, writing, and/or artistic skills. These camps help to build confidence, collaboration, and creativity while working in a safe and encouraging environment. Performance and Teen Camps range in length (1 – 3 weeks) and many result in performances held in the Yocum Institute’s Schumo Black Box Theater. All camps are led by talented teaching artists and creative professionals who work in education and their chosen discipline.
Camp times and age ranges vary, please click the links below for details. Snacks and lunch are not provided.
Music Studio of Patricia Keith
Summer Classes, Camps, & Workshops
Boyertown
Two Locations!
Our summer programs include many diverse camp experiences for high school students all the way down to preschool age, offering performance-based programs in singing, dancing, piano, & pop music, as well as summer preschool options! We also offer summer workshops for ages 6 through adult! Weekly classes in voice and piano for all levels of student musicians, ages 4 through 18. Private lessons in voice, piano, and strings are enrolling on an ongoing basis. Prices vary, see website for details.
Summer Music in Berks
INSTRUMENT UPGRADE SCHOLARSHIPS
Available through RMFINSTRUMENT UPGRADE SCHOLARSHIPS
RMF provides need-sensitive scholarships for students who attend school in Berks County and attend school in Berks County (or are homeschooled) who are looking to purchase an upgraded instrument. Awards are available for any type of instrument, with the maximum award being $500.
Applications should by submitted by April 28 or May 31. Applications available on RMF’s website and must include student essay and teacher recommendation.
PRIVATE STUDY SCHOLARSHIPS
Available through RMFPRIVATE STUDY SCHOLARSHIPS
RMF provides need-sensitive scholarships for students who live in Berks County and attend school in Berks County (or are homeschooled) who are looking to begin or continue private music lessons. Students may study with any private teacher of their choosing. Awards are available for any type of instrument, with new awards up to $350 available, and renewal awards up to $500 available.
Applications should by submitted by April 28 or May 31. Applications available on RMF’s website and must include student essay and teacher recommendation.
SUMMER CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS
Available through RMFSUMMER CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS
RMF provides need-sensitive scholarships for students who live in Berks County and attend school in Berks County (or are homeschooled) who are looking to attend summer music camp. Students may select any summer music camp of their choice, and camps may be sleep-away or day camps. Awards up to $500 are available.Applications should by submitted by April 28 or May 31. Applications available on RMF’s website and must include student essay and teacher recommendation.
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