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Perfect for young musicians with less than two years of experience, our Elementary Strings Camps offer a fun and supportive environment to develop foundational skills in small homogenous groups. Students will perform in a final performance to showcase their progress at the end of the week.

Elementary Camps

Overture

Overture Camp

Start off strong!

At Overture Camp, students experience an exciting environment where they learn basic instrument techniques and develop note-reading skills through playing a variety of music styles. Open to all beginners, our curriculum is tailored to provide a strong foundation, preparing students to excel in their school's strings program.

  • Camp takes place at Irving Middle School

    Concert takes place at Kimball Recital Hall

  • 9:00-9:50 - Fish Schools
    In Fish Schools, students receive instrument specific small group instruction.

    9:50-10:20 - Sing/Play
    Singing time allows students the opportunity to make music with their voices and learn some fun SAIL Camp themed songs.
    Play time gives the students a chance to play games and work off some energy, similar to recess at school.

    10:20-10:30 - Snack
    Students are asked to provide their own snack from home for each day of camp.

    10:30-11:20 - Fish Schools (M/Tu/W/); Large Group Rehearsal (Th/F)
    The large group rehearsal is when all Overture campers rehearse together to prepare for the final concert.

    11:20-11:30 - Ship's Store
    Each day students have opportunities to earn SAIL money which may be used to purchase items from the Ship's Store.

    11:30-12:00 - Showcase (M/W/Th); Picture Day (Tues.); Mass Rehearsal (Fri.)
    Showcase is a performance for SAIL Camp students by SAIL Camp instructors and local string musicians.
    The Mass Rehearsal is when all of the Overture and Intermezzo campers rehearse together to prepare for the final concert.

    12:00 - Dismissal

Overture Camp
$100.00

Intermezzo

Intermezzo Camp

Build your skills!

Intermezzo Camp is designed for students who are ready to take their musical skills to the next level. Building on the foundations established in previous studies, this camp introduces concepts that align with what students will encounter during their second year of playing their instrument. Perfect for those who have completed the fourth-grade strings curriculum with LPS and plan to continue in fifth grade, Intermezzo Camp is also open to other students with similar experience looking to deepen their musicianship.

  • July 21-25 (M-F) - 11:30-2:30

    Concert: Saturday, July 26 - 9:30 am

  • Camp takes place at Irving Middle School

    Concert takes place at Kimball Recital Hall

  • 11:30-12:00 - Showcase (M/W/Th); Picture Day (Tues.); Mass Rehearsal (Fri.)

    Showcase is a performance for SAIL Camp students by SAIL Camp instructors and local string musicians.
    The Mass Rehearsal is when all of the Overture and Intermezzo campers rehearse together to prepare for the final concert.

    12:00-12:50 - Fish Schools
    In Fish Schools, students receive instrument specific small group instruction.

    12:50-1:20 - Sing/Play
    Singing time allows students the opportunity to make music with their voices and learn some fun SAIL Camp themed songs.
    Play time gives the students a chance to play games and work off some energy, similar to recess at school.

    1:20-1:30 - Snack 
    Students are asked to provide their own snack from home for each day of camp.

    1:30-2:20 - Fish Schools (M/Tu/W/); Large Group Rehearsal (Th/F)
    The large group rehearsal is when all Intermezzo campers rehearse together to prepare for the final concert.

    2:20-2:30 - Ship's Store
    Each day students have opportunities to earn SAIL money which may be used to purchase items from the Ship's Store.

    2:30 - Dismissal

Intermezzo Camp
$100.00

6th Grade Camp

Finale

Finale Orchestra

Grow Together!

An exciting two-week experience designed to prepare sixth-grade students for the successful transition into middle school orchestra programs.

  • Experience Level: Students entering sixth grade

  • Prerequisites: Beginning string players

  • What We'll Do: Develop essential ensemble skills, build orchestral foundations, and prepare for a culminating final concert

  • July 14-18 (M-F) and July 21-25 (M-F) - 3:15-4:45

    *Students will attend both weeks.

    Concert: Saturday, July 26

  • Camp takes place at Irving Middle School

    Concert takes place at Kimball Recital Hall

Finale Orchestra
$120.00

Middle/High School Camps

Our middle and high school orchestra camps offer an advanced two-week orchestral experience for motivated and experienced orchestra students. These camps provide opportunities to perform challenging music, collaborate with peers, and work with professional musicians from our community. Students can enhance their experience by adding the Nebraska Summer String Academy, allowing for more personalized musical development. These transformative camps prepare young musicians to excel in the upcoming school year and beyond.

Cadenza

Cadenza Orchestra

Expand your musicianship!

Designed for advancing string players, Cadenza Orchestra offers a challenging and enriching musical experience for motivated young musicians.

  • Experience Level: Students entering grades 7-8

  • Prerequisites: At least two years of string instrument experience; comfortable reading and playing in various styles and keys across all strings

  • What We'll Do: Explore traditional and alternative musical styles while working with local music professionals

  • Additional Option: Pair with the Nebraska Summer String Academy during the second week for enhanced chamber skills

  • July 14-18 (M-F) and July 21-25 (M-F) - 3:30-5:00

    *Students will attend both weeks.

    Concert: Saturday, July 2A6 - 11:00am

  • Orchestra rehearses at UNL’s School of Music

    The Concert will take place at Kimball Recital Hall

Cadenza Orchestra
$120.00

Cadenza Orchestra only. Does not include Nebraska Summer String Academy

Cadenza + NSSA
$300.00

Includes Cadenza orchestra and the Nebraska Summer String Academy


Encore

Encore Orchestra

Challenge your musical limits!

Perfect for passionate, advanced string players seeking to elevate their musicianship to new heights in a dynamic, challenging environment.

  • Experience Level: High school and advanced middle school students, 4+ years of string instrument experience

  • Prerequisites: Comfortable with shifting, multiple keys/meters, and advanced bowing techniques

  • What We'll Do: Master challenging repertoire while pushing musical boundaries among equally dedicated peers

  • Additional Option: Enhance your experience by joining the Nebraska Summer String Academy during the second week

  • July 14-18 (M-F) and July 21-25 (M-F) - 3:30-5:00

    *Students will attend both weeks.

    Concert: Saturday, July 2A6 - 11:00am

  • Orchestra rehearses at UNL’s School of Music

    The Concert will take place at Kimball Recital Hall

Encore Orchestra
$120.00

Encore Orchestra only. Does not include Nebraska Summer String Academy

Encore + NSSA
$300.00

Encore Orchestra and the Nebraska Summer String Academy (2nd week only). Does not include room & board.

Encore + NSSA + Overnight
$500.00

Encore Orchestra, NSSA (2nd Week Only) with room and board on campus.

Nebraska Summer String Academy

Join us for Nebraska Summer String Academy (NSSA) at the stunning new Westbrook Music Building and freshly renovated Kimball Recital Hall! The University of Nebraska Glenn Korff School of Music is collaborating with SAIL to offer this comprehensive string experience. Open to dedicated string musicians who have completed grades 7-12, NSSA is the perfect opportunity to elevate your musical abilities alongside the distinguished Glenn Korff School of Music string faculty, including special guest Scott Tixier—a six-time Grammy Award-winning French jazz violinist. Develop crucial skills for continued growth as a musician, from audition preparation and performance techniques to instrumental improvisation, all within a collegiate environment designed to inspire the next generation of string performers.

NSSA

A comprehensive musical experience where dedicated string musicians can develop their skills in both chamber music and advanced string techniques.

  • Experience Level: String musicians who have completed grades 7-12

  • Prerequisites: Dedicated string players seeking intensive musical development

  • What We'll Do: Participate in chamber music coaching, masterclasses, improvisational training, and technique workshops

  • Special Guest Artist: Work with six-time grammy winning jazz violinist Scott Tixier! (see below)

  • Performance Opportunities: Daily chamber rehearsals culminating in the Friday night Student Chamber Ensembles finale concert. And a Wednesday evening student soloists recital.

  • Professional Development: Receive guidance on audition preparation, music career pathways, and instrument maintenance

  • *Students who register for NSSA will be asked to provide a 2-3 minute recording of themselves playing solo repertoire. An email with details will be sent out in June to all registrants.

Cadenza + NSSA
$300.00

Includes Cadenza orchestra and the Nebraska Summer String Academy

Encore + NSSA
$300.00

Encore Orchestra and the Nebraska Summer String Academy (2nd week only). Does not include room & board.

Encore + NSSA + Overnight
$500.00

Encore Orchestra, NSSA (2nd Week Only) with room and board on campus.


Scott Tixier

Scott Tixier is a six-time GRAMMY award-winning French jazz violinist and 2018 DownBeat Critic Poll Winner. He has performed, recorded, and toured with jazz legends and music icons such as Stevie Wonder, Kenny Barron, Elton John, Pink Floyd, Earth Wind & Fire, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, John Legend, Ariana Grande, Adele, John Batiste, and many others.

“Mr. Tixier is a violinist whose sonic palette, like his range of interests, runs open and wide” - The New York Times