Summer Opportunities
Summer Opportunities
In addition to the opportunities available during the school year, students have some extra opportunities available during the summer. These summer opportunities can help a student keep their chops up and advance even more quickly while school is out. These opportunities include those listed below:
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp
Grades: Rising 6th-12th
Dates:
Session 1 - 2025 Dates TBD, usually late June-Early July
Session 2 - 2025 Dates TBD, usually mid-July
Cost: 1,650.00 (Talent-based and need-based scholarships available)
The summer band program at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp is designed to challenge students of all proficiency levels. Students are grouped by ability in an appropriate ensemble after submitting a placement video prior to arrival. Each day, students will experience large ensemble instruction, along with technique classes and small group lessons on their instrument. Students may select a minor to explore another area of interest (such as dance, art, broadcasting, etc.). Students also have the opportunity to attend Summer Arts Festival performances, as well as participate in recreation, camp activities, and attend arts-focused educational events in the evening. Scholarships are available to help families with financial needs. Each session is approximately a week and a half long.
Band Sessions 1 & 2 (High School)
During sessions 1 and 2 (High School level), ensembles include a wind ensemble, symphony band, and two equal-ability high school bands (named after famous conductors). Consisting of the most advanced winds and percussion, the Wind Ensemble studies and performs a variety of musically demanding literature designed to challenge even the most experienced high school musician. Past Wind Ensemble repertoire has included selections such as: Grainger’s Lincolnshire Posy, Holst’s Suites in E♭ and F, Bernstein’s Candide, Reed’s Armenian Dances, Mackey’s Until the Scars, Biedenbender’s Luminescense, and Ticheli’s Sun Dance.
Northern Lights Drum & Bugle Corps
Grades: Rising 11th/12th and graduates
When: 3 Winter Rehearsals, Every other Saturday June-August plus performances.
Where: Rehearsals @ Newaygo HS, Newaygo MI - performance locations vary.
Cost: 350.00 in 2024 - may be slightly higher in 2025
The Northern Lights Drum and Bugle corps is an ensemble that competes in the All-Age Class of Drum Corps International, Marching Music's Major League. Students have the option to play a brass or percussion instrument in the ensemble - woodwind players may learn either, or march in the color guard, in order to earn membership. Students will spend the summer learning and perfecting a challenging 7+ minute field show alongside other student and adult musicians. The capstone event will be a performance at the DCI All-Age Finals at Lucas Oil Stadium, an event that often draws crowds numbering in the tens of thousands.