Join in the fun! Every summer, these musical theatre and instrumental camps provide students with the opportunity to hone existing skills or to explore new musical experiences. These week-long day programs all culminate with exciting finale performances Friday afternoons consisting of all the songs learned throughout the week.
These one-week long half day camps are a fun introduction to musical theatre for your young ones!Campers will spend their time learning 3-4 songs, create sound stories and crafts that tie in to the theme of the week. All songs will be performed at the end of the week in a creative performance for friends and family! Teambuilding activities are encouraged to promote friendship and fun. There will typically be 1/2 hour of outdoor play per day, weather permitting. Sign up for multiple weeks to participate in different productions!
Themes
Superhero Adventureland
It’s a Jungle Out There
Winter Wonderland
Pre-requisites
Ages 4-5 (all activities are age specific and therefore less sophisticated than the Kids Adventure Camp activities) No performance experience required! Note: Camps run from 9am-12 noon, or 1pm-4pm Monday to Friday.Please see the camp schedule for the specific weeks offered. Location: Oakville campus only
Camp Schedule
KIDS ADVENTURE CAMP
These one-week long camps are a fun introduction to musical theatre for kids! Campers will choose their own roles, memorize songs, spoken lines, dance steps and scenes that will be performed at the end of the week in a theatrical production. Campers will also create props and theme related crafts. Teambuilding activities are encouraged to promote friendship and fun. There will typically be 1 hour of outdoor play per day, weather permitting. Sign up for multiple weeks to participate in different productions!
Themes:
Superhero Adventureland
It’s a Jungle Out There
Winter Wonderland
Pre-requisites:
Ages 6-8 (all activities are age specific and therefore more sophisticated than the Mini Music Camp activities)
No performance experience required!
Location: Oakville campus only
Camp Schedule
SING, DANCE & PERFORM CAMP
Ready to sharpen your skills as a music theatre performer? All set to let your creativity soar? Excited to sing, dance and act on stage? The Sing, Dance & Perform Camp allows campers to explore the music, acting, and dancing required performing a production at the end of the week.
Activities include writing and directing your own scenes, learning and choreographing dances, singing as an ensemble and soloist, mime, improvisation and creating props, sets and costumes.
Pre-Requisites
Ages 9-12 years
No performance experience required!
Location: Oakville Campus only
Camp Schedule
WOODWIND CAMP
Back by popular demand! Campers will learn all the basics for learning how to play their instrument – flute, clarinet or saxophone. They will learn how to produce proper tone, improvise, play solos, duets (register with a friend!), and ensemble repertoire! Daily activities include master classes on your specific instrument with our own Merriam Music teachers, watching live DVD performances of professional artists and an hour of outdoor play. Bring family and friends to the Friday’s performance as it will showcase the exciting repertoire they have learned only within the week!
Pre-requisites:
Ages 10-14
No performance experience required but you must provide your own instrument (please purchase or rent in advance)
Location: Oakville Campus only
Camp Schedule
ROCK BAND CAMP
Get ready to perform in your very own Rock Band! Learn how to perform songs in the styles of rock, funk, blues, punk and metal. Additional activities include master classes with Merriam Music teachers, lessons in learning the 12-bar blues, tricks to soloing and developing a stronger technical foundation. Campers will work toward a final performance Friday afternoons so be sure to invite family and friends to watch you play in a band!
Pre-requisites:
Open to Guitar (electric,) Bass, Piano, Drums and Voice
Ages 9-17
2 years minimum of experience on your chosen instrument
Location: Oakville Campus only.
Camp Schedule
ROCK BAND CAMP 2.0
This camp will have a substantially different approach to the traditional Rock Band Camp, and is targeted for more advanced players looking to develop arranging skills and technical knowledge to bring their playing to a new level!
Campers will benefit from instrument specific master classes with Merriam Music Faculty members to enhance knowledge and understanding of playing and performing.
Pre-requisites:
Open to Guitar (electric), Bass, Drums, Piano and Voice
Have 2 years Rock Band Camp or 4 years minimum of experience on your chosen instrument
Ages 14-17
Location: Oakville Campus only
Camp Schedule
DRUMLINE OR PERCUSSION CAMP
Drumline Camp:
Learn the basics of drumming in a fun ensemble format. Campers will learn basic sticking technique on the snare drum, and prepare a drum set solo by the end of the week! Hone your technical skills while having fun learning new styles of music with others your age. Teambuilding activities are encouraged to promote friendship and fun. There will typically be 1 hour of outdoor play per day, weather permitting. Bring your friends to see you in action at the end-of-the-week performance!
Percussion Camp:
Explore percussive instruments from around the world! Campers will sample playing on the djembe drums, cow bells, Boomwhackers and more! No experience required! Hone your technical skills while having fun learning new styles of music with others your age. Teambuilding activities are encouraged to promote friendship and fun. There will typically be 1 hour of outdoor play per day, weather permitting. Bring your friends to see you in action at the end-of-the-week performance!
Pre-requisites for Drumline and Percussion Camp
No experience required
Drumsticks and ear plugs required prior to start of camp
Ages 8-14
Location: Oakville Campus only
Camp Schedule
PIANO CAMPS
Learn new songs within a week and learn how to compose your own song as well! Both camps will showcase their creation at the end of the week in an exciting final performance on Friday afternoons! In addition, campers will also take part in activities designed to enhance their enjoyment and interaction with one another in a musical setting.
Piano Palooza Camp
Build on piano skills you already have in a fun camp environment! Learn new songs with your friends, compose your own song, and create crafts all relating to the theme this summer: Pirate Adventure! Teambuilding activities are encouraged to promote friendship and fun. There will typically be 1 hour of outdoor play per day, weather permitting. Finish off the week with a showcase performing all that you’ve learned and take home your camp’s recorded compositions on a CD.
Back by popular demand! Learn how to play your favourite pop songs with friends and have the opportunity to compose your very own pop song. Daily activities will include learning 2 ensemble songs, group lessons on various topics, composition, and practice time. Invite family and friends to Friday’s performance to hear you perform live! This camp is offered for two weeks only this summer with limited spaces so register today!
Pre-requisites for Pop Piano Camp
Keyfest Intermediate 1 and above
Must be at least halfway through the level
Ages 10-16
Location: Oakville Campus only
Camp Schedule
GUITAR AND UKULELE CAMP
Beginner Guitar Camp
Want to try out the guitar? This camp is for you! Learn the basic technique and reading required to play your first few songs. Come join us for a week of guitar fun! Campers will focus on the basics of note reading and guitar technique, as well as playing guitar as an ensemble with their first few songs. Teambuilding activities are encouraged to promote friendship and fun. There will typically be 1 hour of outdoor play per day, weather permitting. Show off your progress at the final performance at the end of the week!
No Experience Required – Ages 8-14
Ukulele Camp
Always wanted to learn how to play the Ukulele? Here’s your chance to register for this exciting new camp offered this summer! Throughout the week, campers will learn the foundation of the instrument, basic technique and learn popular repertoire in an ensemble. Show off your new skills to family and friends at the end of the week!
No Experience Required – Ages 8-14.
Guitar Camp 2.0
Already know how to play the guitar? Join us for Guitar Camp 2.0 where camp staff will teach you more challenging technique and repertoire!
2 Years Experience Required – Ages 10-15
Purchase or rent acoustic guitar/ukulele prior to start of camp
Location: Oakville and Vaughan Campus (Ukulele Camp offered in Oakville Campus only)
Camp Schedule
NEW: BEGINNER STRING ENSEMBLE CAMP
Created by popular demand, this exciting brand new string ensemble camp is sure to be the highlight of your child’s summer! Campers will learn all the basics for learning how to play the violin – from learning the various parts of the violin, proper posture, and technique. They will learn the history of the violin, how to produce proper tone, improvise, play solos, duets (register with a friend!), and ensemble repertoire! Daily activities include ensemble and private instruction with our own Merriam Music teachers, watching live DVD performances of professional artists and an hour of outdoor play. Bring family and friends to the Friday’s performance as it will showcase the exciting repertoire they have learned only within the week!
Pre-requisites
Ages 8-14
No performance experience required but you must provide your own violin (please purchase or rent in advance)
Location: Oakville Campus only
Camp Schedule
MUSICAL THEATER CAMP
Join the fun! Every year, 20 lucky campers put on a full music theatre production in just 2 weeks. Days are spent blocking scenes, learning songs, choreography, working on character development, and developing vocal technique for choral and small ensemble singing. Production titles change each year so you can join every year for a new experience!
Pre-requisites for a lead role:
Ages 13+
Successfully complete an audition (in June) that involves script reading and singing.
Extra Clothing & Appropriate Shoes for outdoor play
Water Bottle (labeled with your child’s name)
Sunblock
Snacks (NUT-FREE)
Camp Specific:
Craft materials for Mini Music, Kids Adventure, and Piano Palooza Camp (and craft shirt that can get dirty)
Typically recycled tissue box, shoebox, cereal box and toilet paper rolls
Guitar (for Guitar Camp), Ukulele (for Ukulele Camp), drumsticks/ear plugs (for Drumline and Percussion Camp), electric bass/acoustic guitar (for Rock Band Camp), Woodwind instrument (Woodwind Camp), Violin (String Ensemble Camp).
Note: These materials and instruments must be purchased or rented prior to the start of camp. Oakville only: Please note our store will not be open during Monday morning Registration.
Sign-in ProceduresMonday Registration: Please allow ample time for registration process (sign-in, hand in waiver form, and double checking information). For Monday morning only, sign-in takes place in the Recital Hall. For Vaughan camps, sign-in/out will take place in room 103. For the rest of the camp week, sign-in takes place between 8:50am-9:00am, unless you have prepaid for extended care (8am drop off). For safety reasons all campers must be signed in and signed out by a parent/guardian. All sign in and out will take place at your child’s homeroom. Campers will only be allowed to leave with the person pre-authorized to pick them up.Late Arrivals It is important that campers arrive each day before 9:00am as programming begins promptly at 9:00am. Should you arrive later than 9:00am you must report to reception. They will assist in locating your child’s homeroom to be signed in with their counselor.
Early Departures Should you need to pick up your child early (before 4:00pm) please contact your child’s counselor or reception as soon as possible. Sign-out Procedures For safety reasons all campers must be signed out by a parent/guardian. The sign out binder is located outside your child’s homeroom as the campers will wait to be called from inside the room by their counselor. Campers will only be allowed to leave with the person pre- authorized to pick them up.
Summer camps run from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Early drop off is available from 8:00am-8:45am each day and late pickup runs from 4:00pm-5:00pm. During this time, campers will be provided with a variety of games and activities. There is a $5.00 per day charge for extended care. Typical Day
8:00am-9:00am
Extended Care (pre-paid)
9:00am
Sign In
9:00am-12:00pm
Camp specific activities (rehearsals, use of the Recital Hall, Crafts, Outdoor time)
12:00pm-1:00pm
LUNCH – All campers eat lunch together supervised by counselors
1:00pm-4:00pm
Camp specific activities (rehearsals, use of the Recital Hall, Crafts, Outdoor time)
All camps culminate to a final performance every Friday afternoon between 2-5pm. After your child’s performance, you have the option to sign-them out or leave them with the camp staff to continue watching other camps performances until 4pm pick-up time.
Merriam School of Music reserves the right to cancel programs with full refund due to low enrollment. No reimbursements for missed days or refunds provided for cancellations without a doctor’s note.
If your child requires any prescription medications (including Asthma Inhalers) or carries an Epi-Pen, please fill out the Medical Information section on the registration form. All prescription medications must be turned in to the camp supervisor at morning sign in. Prescription medications must be in the original pharmacy bottle, labeled with the patients name and the physicians ordered dose on the bottle (e.g. pills in Ziploc bags are not accepted). Non prescription/over-the-counter medication, including vitamins and herbal supplements, will not be permitted. Asthma Inhalers and Epi-Pens will be carried by your child. If you wish to discuss your child’s medications or medical conditions in advance, please contact the Summer Camp Coordinator.
If your child is injured, you will be notified following notification of the appropriate emergency personnel. Camp staff will administer first aid and complete an incident report. The Camp Staff, in conjunction with the Camp Supervisors, will make any decisions regarding further medical care. A waiver form was included in your confirmation email to allow the Camp Supervisors or designated appointee to authorize all procedures (including admission to the hospital and necessary treatment) in the event of an emergency.
If your child should become ill while at camp, you will be notified. We will ask you to make the decision whether to remove your child from the program for the day as we do not have a registered nurse on staff. We ask for your discretion on bringing your child to camp if he/she is ill.
Pizza Lunch A pizza lunch is available for an extra fee of $5.00/day. This comes with a choice of either 2 cheese or pepperoni slices, and a juice box. Lunches Should you decide to pack a lunch please ensure it is a non-refrigerated lunch and that there are no peanut products. Please pack extra snacks as morning and afternoon snack breaks will be provided.
Campers are asked to leave all valuables at home as Merriam School of Music will not be responsible for any lost or stolen items while at camp. Please label all clothing and belongings. Any items unclaimed by the end of the summer will be donated to charity.
Behaviour Guidelines It is the goal of Merriam School of Music to provide a healthy, safe, secure and respectful environment for all campers and staff. All campers are expected to follow the behaviour guidelines and interact appropriately in a group setting. Please review the following Behaviour Guidelines and Program Rules with your child(ren). Your co-operation is greatly appreciated and will help provide a safe, fun, and respectful environment for all campers and staff.
Camp Behaviour Guidelines and Program Rules
Campers are expected to participate in camp activities, follow the directions of the camp staff and stay with their camp group at all times.
Campers must be respectful, honest and considerate of other campers, staff, volunteers and guests.
Campers must be respectful of Merriam School of Music property, property of other campers, staff or guests.
If a child does not follow the behaviour guidelines, the camp staff will take the following steps: 1st occurrence – Staff will redirect the child to more appropriate behaviour. 2nd occurrence -The child will be sent to see the Camp Coordinator or School Manager to be reminded of the behaviour rules and parents will be notified by way of an incident report or phone call. 3rd occurrence – Parent will be contacted immediately by the Camp Supervisor and asked to pick up their child. Merriam Music Camps reserve the right to ask a parent to pick their child up early, temporarily suspend the child from the camp program or expulsion from the program in extreme cases with no refund. The following are zero tolerance behaviour and will result in the immediate suspension from the camp program with no refund:
Using profanity, vulgarity, obscenity or acting in a lewd manner.
Use of alcohol or drugs.
Verbal or physical abuse of other participants or staff.
Stealing or damaging Merriam Music property or personal property of other campers or staff.