About N.M.C.

NMC's Administration

Fees

A Typical day at N.M.C.

Location

National Music Camp is run by a non-profit, non-sectarian foundation and is located on a 120 acre site on the shores of Lake Couchiching, north of Orillia. For over 45 years, young musicians have come from across Ontario and Canada to enjoy a challenging music experience balanced with a wide range of recreational activities, including water-skiing, swimming, windsurfing, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, baseball, volleyball, basketball, tennis, archery, golf and arts and crafts.

Campers and staff live in cabins that house 10-14 campers and 2-4 staff. Each cabin usually has both Recreation and Music staff as counsellors. All cabins are equipped with indoor plumbing and electricity.

NMC runs several programmes:   At Junior camp, (for campers completing gr. 3-8) we offer: Band, Orchestra, Beginning Band, Beginning Strings, Beginning and Advanced Acoustic/Classical Guitar, Suzuki Strings, Music Theatre, and Junior Jazz Band. At Senior camp (for campers completing gr. 8-12) we offer: Band, Orchestra, Acoustic/ Classical Guitar, Jazz , including Jazz Vocal, Intermediate Jazz ( gr. 7 - 8 students), Music Theatre.  (For 2010 camp dates and rates, please see bottom of this page)

Campers coming into the Band/Orchestra stream typically have at least one year of playing at school or privately. Those in Suzuki strings are Suzuki students at home and continue their studies at camp.  Campers entering the Jazz stream will have had some experience playing or singing jazz at their school, except those in grade 7 or 8 who may have had little jazz experience.

In Music Theatre campers are welcome with no experience and have classes in voice, drama, dance and performance.  The Classical Guitar programme is open to players of all levels.

The music faculty is made up of performing artists, musicians and teachers from symphonies, universities, colleges, high school and elementary school music programmes across Canada.  Many of our faculty are also well-known freelance musicians.

The music staff are usually University or College music students.  Some are in teacher's college; a few are teacher's college graduates and young teachers.  A few of our staff are not in music, but have maintained their musical practice and a high playing level.  A few are in their last year of high school.  Most staff are interested in music education as a career and use NMC as a valuable experience.

The typical day for students at Junior Camp is 4 hours of music including an elective period where they can perform in an ensemble, sing in a chorus, or work on their theory and rhythm.  They have 2 recreation periods and a nightly concert where they have an opportunity to hear a variety of professional performances, up close and personal.  Students at Senior Camp have 5 hours of music and may also choose from a variety of electives, including ensembles, composition and sports electives, among others.

Unique to NMC is the Matthew Ferguson Memorial Staff Scholarship Fund, which raises money through staff and faculty donations and through some at camp activities. Its purpose is to assist talented but financially strapped students to attend camp. For more info, see Staff Scholarship Fund

N.M.C. 2010 PROGRAMS: