Middle School Summer Music Academy
The Middle School Summer Music Academy is an opportunity for talented band and orchestra students from Colorado and around the country to receive world-class music instruction in a one-week summer session. Band and orchestra participants will be placed into a concert band or string orchestra with a nationally renowned conductor. When not in rehearsal, you can expect exciting games and activities throughout the week geared toward teamwork, creative and critical thinking ... and fun. A few activities from previous years included skit night, the Amazing Race and visiting Fiske Planetarium on campus.
June 22-26, 2025
Registration, fees + deadlines
Registration
Returning students will receive an early registration invitation via email on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. The early registration window closes at 5 p.m. MST on Jan. 20, 2025. Registration for the general public will open on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. Please check back here at that time for the registration link.
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Fees
- $675 overnight resident: includes all housing and meals
- $450 daytime-only commuter: includes all lunches
Incidental fees
- Lost Room Key fee (to be collected at the time of loss): $10-$50
- Lost Meal Card fee (to be collected at the time of loss): $5-$15
- Property Damage (where applicable): case-by-case determination
Parents are financially responsible for any and all damages caused by the student to the University of Colorado property including, but not limited to, CU Boulder College of Music facilities and CU Boulder dormitory facilities.
Deadlines
March 1: Optional scholarship application deadline. See scholarship opportunities below for more information regarding application requirements and a link to the application form. Awardees will be notified by April 1.
April 1: Scholarship recipients will be notified by email on or before April 1. If you do not receive a scholarship notification email by then, this means that we were unable to offer a scholarship award.
May 15: Registration and deposit deadline for the Middle School Summer Music Academy. Please follow the link above to the online registration form. Registration forms are accepted for the middle school camp until positions are filled or the deadline passes. If an instrument section is full, you will be put on a waitlist. We will contact waitlisted families if and when spaces become available.
May 15: Deadline to complete and upload all permission forms and waivers. (Students who are waitlisted do not need to complete these forms unless they are accepted into the camp). Families will be prompted to complete the waivers and permission forms during the registration process.
May 31: Payment-in-full deadline for the Middle School Summer Music Academy. Payment may be completed through the registration portal linked above.
May 31: Cancellation deadline for full refund of camp fees excluding a non-refundable $150 deposit. See refund policy below for more information regarding refunds and cancellation.
Refund policy
Refunds will be processed on the card used to make the payment through the registration portal. Prior to May 31, refund is in full excluding a non-refundable $150 deposit. No refunds will be issued for cancellations after May 31.
Enrollment + eligibility
The Middle School Summer Academy is open to graduates of grades 6, 7 and 8. Enrollment is open to anyone enrolled in a school band and/or orchestra class. There are no audition required for enrollment.
In the event enrollment is full, registrants will be placed on a waitlist. We will contact waitlisted families if and when spaces become available.
Honor musicians’ discounts
We would like to extend an invitation to middle school musicians who are current participants in the University of Colorado Middle School Honor Band. If you are a member of this group, you will receive a $150 credit toward your registration fee at the conclusion of the honor band festival. To redeem this credit, please use the provided discount code when registering for the summer music academy. If you register for the academy before the honor band festival, we will refund the $150 credit to you after the festival has ended. Musicians who were chosen as alternates for the honor band festival will receive a discount code if they are called upon to perform in the honor band festival.
Scholarships
For the Middle School Summer Music Academy, we’re pleased to offer scholarship assistance to help students of financial need. To be considered for scholarship assistance, please complete the form below, including a brief essay telling us about yourself, your need for financial assistance and how you could benefit from attendance at the Middle School Summer Music Academy. The completed form with essay is due March 1 and awardees will be notified by April 1. Financial need will be taken into account when reviewing applications and scholarships will be awarded as funds allow.
Academy instruction
Assembled for their talent, teaching ability, dedication and enthusiasm for music, distinguished music professionals from across the country participate in the °µÍø½ûÇø summer music academies. They include world-renowned conductors, CU Boulder professors, middle school and high school teachers, master class and elective teachers, administrators, and outstanding undergraduate and graduate students who serve as counselors and mentors. Together, their knowledge and experience support an extraordinary educational opportunity for students to build confidence, and develop good habits and attitudes that shape their future.
Questions? Get in touch at musicacademy@colorado.edu, 303-492-6584.