[Minnesota]

I'm in search of a little guidance. I've been considering sending my fourteen year old to Shell Lake this summer. He's a good musician. Really enjoys playing and isn't afraid to put in the time to practice and better himself on the instruments he plays. In addition to the Sax he also plays the Cello, among a few others.

The school he attends doesn't have an Orchestra so he's focusing greater attention on the Sax. While he's received a few years of private lessons for the Cello he's mostly self taught on the Saxophone with a half dozen or so private lessons thrown in to correct any bad habits he may have formed and expand his ability.

Anyone gone to this or similiar camps? Did your playing improve and can you describe how? Any experience with other camps? Did you go back?

(including a link of him playing at a recent solo which might help to get a sense of where he's at)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfyIZ0Q8fvk

http://tinyurl.com/ybvcyg8g

Thanks for your input I really appreciate the time you've taken to respond.

 

[artstove]

I don't know that camp, but Cazadero Music Camp in Northern California has been a local institution for decades. (http://www.cazadero.org/) I went there in middle school and high school, and definitely got stuff from it and enjoyed it. As an adult, I have gone to Jazz Camp West, and both enjoyed it and grew as a musician. Having a significant chunk of time dedicated to playing with both instruction and other serious players is bound to help. I think what you get from a particular camp depends on the player and the emphasis of the particular instructors.

 

[Minnesota]

I don't know that camp, but Cazadero Music Camp in Northern California has been a local institution for decades. (http://www.cazadero.org/) I went there in middle school and high school, and definitely got stuff from it and enjoyed it. As an adult, I have gone to Jazz Camp West, and both enjoyed it and grew as a musician. Having a significant chunk of time dedicated to playing with both instruction and other serious players is bound to help. I think what you get from a particular camp depends on the player and the emphasis of the particular instructors.

That camp looks similar to the one he'll be attending. It seems they were both started about the same time. I'm hoping that he's able to have a great time and come away with skills he wouldn't normally pickup for months in his normal regime. Either way I think he'll have a blast.

 

[Minnesota]

I'm in search of a little guidance. I've been considering sending my fourteen year old to Shell Lake this summer. He's a good musician. Really enjoys playing and isn't afraid to put in the time to practice and better himself on the instruments he plays. In addition to the Sax he also plays the Cello, among a few others.

Just a followup to the message I'd posted earlier this year. We booked him for a week of Ensemble and Combo Jazz. This year the camp had about 90+ kids show and after the placement auditions Jazz 1-5 bands were created. My son made the jazz 1 group which was a bit of a suprise to us. We didn't find out until Friday's concert which was put on by all 5 bands.

He had a great time and was really impressed with the instructing staff and all of the players he met. He learned a lot about his tone, improv, practice tips and the list could go on. The camp really opened his eyes to what it's like to play with a group of kids all playing at about the same level of ability or interest. At the end of the week his band as well as all the others put on a concert which was really fun to watch. My kid's band played four (Cruisin for a Bluesin and Filthy McNasty come to mind) songs that they'd learned over about 4 days and really played them well. Nearly all of them got at least one solo to show display their chops. He can't wait to go back next year. If you've got kids and they're into it, don't hesitate to send them off to a camp like Shell Lake. What an experience.

 

[Minnesota]

I forgot to add a link to my previous notes and thought I'd include one in this message. Also, I should add that the Arts Center is not restricted to Middle and High School students. They do offer a set of adult workshops and I have to imagine they're every bit as helpful as the Jazz workshops were for my son. http://www.shelllakeartscenter.org/ Worth a peek.


I think Interlochen does this as well out on the east coast.