The Fredonia Summer Music Festival has a long history of providing high school students with a friendly and relaxed setting for musical growth. Set on Fredonia’s beautiful campus and housed in the university's School of Music, the Fredonia Summer Music Festival takes advantage of the campus' first-rate facilities and world-class teachers. Many of the festival faculty are also professors at the university. Outstanding performers and teachers provide unique opportunities for learning, improving technical skills and expanding musicality.
The festival continues its tradition of excellence with the third year of the Honors Solo Vocal program (grades 9 - 12) for students interested in further developing their skills as a solo classical vocalist. The Band program (grades 9 - 12) is open to instrumental music students (winds, brass, and percussion) with performance opportunities in large ensembles, chamber music, jazz and more. For the first time, Fredonia will offer a Strings program (grades 8 - 12) for high school string instrumentalists.
The Band and Honors Solo Vocal programs are offered on Sunday, June 25 through Saturday, July 1, with a new Strings program slated for Sunday, July 16 through Saturday, July 22.
The students in the Honors Solo Vocal Program will work with Fredonia School of Music voice faculty in sessions about repertoire, how to approach text, acting, how to practice, auditioning techniques and movement. Each singer will also receive private voice instruction and have the opportunity to perform for each other throughout the week. In addition, voice students will attend daily musicianship classes with Band students, participate in master classes, attend special evening performances, and have time for individual practice and recreation. The week will culminate in a program of scenes and song, giving students the chance to show-off what they have learned.
Open to instrumental music students currently enrolled in grades 9 through 12, the Fredonia Band program offers a friendly and relaxed setting for musical growth through performance of large ensemble and chamber music. Many of the Festival Band program faculty are also professors at the university. Outstanding performers and teachers provide unique opportunities for learning, improving technical skills and expanding musicality. In addition to band rehearsals, chamber ensembles and jazz groups, students will attend daily musicianship classes, participate in master classes, attend special evening performances, and have time for individual practice and recreation.
The Summer Music Festival String session is a new and unique summer program designed by Fredonia's expert faculty exclusively for violin, viola, cello, and double bass players in grades 8 through 12. Daily activities include orchestra rehearsals, chamber music, technique classes, and faculty recitals. All musical experiences are led by Fredonia string faculty and special guest artists. The week-long festival culminates with a final concert.
The Fredonia Summer Music Festival is an exceptional value, with the university intentionally keeping tuition and fees as low as possible to make it an outstanding musical experience available to everyone. Tuition and fees include: ensemble participation, all instruction (theory, musicianship, composition, etc), attendance at professional music performances and master classes, daily recreation, all meals and housing, and a festival t-shirt and group photo. Limited scholarships are available for instruments as specified on the tuition page. Families in financial need are strongly urged to request funding in writing from local school, religious organization, or other charitable organizations (Rotary, Lions, etc.).
For further information. contact the School of Music at 716-673-3151.
