Dr. Joseph Higgins in an advertisement for the summer workshops. - Photo via @rowanmusicdept on Instagram
Summer is on its way, and so is Rowan’s annual Summer Music Camp. This camp takes place for a week in July, where high school students from 8th to 12th grade are welcome to attend. The music camp begins on Sunday morning and ends with a concert on Thursday evening.
The purpose is to provide high school students with a taste of what their major will look like, at Rowan University. There are different sections within the camp like the coral vocal track, music industry track, as well as the band track. Strings and the teaching of music industry are also included in this camp. Musical faculty like Dr. Joseph Higgins, who is the conductor and in charge of the summer band track, help conduct rehearsals alongside other faculty members and Rowan student counselors.
Dr. Joseph Higgins, PhD, teaches Wind Ensemble at Rowan University, along with conducting and band literature.
“The band camp is offered for high school students to attend, so they get to have a pre-college experience,” said Dr. Higgins.
Rowan students who major in the music department, like music education, are given the opportunity to be a counselor for the high school students. This allows current Rowan students to gain experience in teaching and do so alongside Rowan Professors, like Dr. Higgins.
“The Rowan students and I can kind of work like we are colleagues,” Dr Higgins said. “So it is a really good opportunity for the college students to work with me.”
No auditions are necessary for high school students to enroll in the Summer music camp. Previous experience in music is also not required. This Summer Music Camp can be used as an introduction for students new to music, and even those who already have an interest in pursuing a music major. The Summer Music Camp is designed to mimic how being a music major Rowan University will look like, before becoming a Rowan student.
High school students are given the chance to stay in the dorms, eat from the dining hall, attend master classes, and gain musical experience. Every night, students will perform what they have learned in their section for everyone in the camp. Depending on your interest in the camp, you may even receive a workshop presentation.
“I’ve been doing this for ten summers, and it’s grown with the exception of COVID. The camp has grown pretty consistently, and we offer more and more every summer,” said Dr. Higgins.
At rehearsals students can expect to work on the fundamental aspects of music, like focusing on breathing exercises. Students will be taught music that will be performed later that night for the rest of the camp members and staff. The last day of the camp happens on a Thursday. Family and friends are welcome to enjoy the hard work of students at their culminating concert, at no cost.
Dr. Higgins often has goals for these summer band camps.
“One goal is that it’s a cool opportunity for our Rowan Students. The big goal would be that every student who comes learns or develops their musicianship in some way. The big stated goal is that every camper is developing their music skills,” said Dr. Higgins.
For more information, interested Rowan music majors and high school students can find more information about the Summer Music Camp on Rowan’s website.
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