Summer Camps
Your Soundtrack to Summer Starts Here
From first notes to bold new musical goals, MacPhail Camps offer something for every young musician. With world-class teaching artists and programs across ages, instruments, genres, and experience levels, students build skills, explore creativity, and make music all summer long. Whether they’re just getting started or ready to take their music further, MacPhail will help make summer unforgettable.
Financial assistance is available. If tuition is a barrier, we encourage you to apply. Learn more.
Looking for summer lessons, classes, or ensembles? Explore MacPhail’s summer semester offerings.
Not sure where to start? We can help.
Share a few details and we’ll send camp recommendations based on your camper’s age and interests.
Camps for Kids
Ages 3–12
Whether they’re exploring different instruments, creating their own music, or bringing stories to life through song and movement, our kids camps help young learners discover the joy of music in a fun, supportive environment.
Camps for Youth
Ages 11–18
Designed for developing musicians, our youth camps combine focused skill-building with creative music-making across genres and instruments—giving teens the opportunity to perform, create, and connect while growing in confidence and musicianship.
Why Choose Camp at MacPhail
- World-class teaching artist
Learn from professional musicians and educators who know how to challenge, inspire, and support students at every stage.
- Camps for every age, instrument, and musical interest
From trying music for the first time to building advanced skills, our camps span classical, jazz, rock, electronic music, songwriting, ensembles, and more—meeting students where they are and helping them grow.
- Skill-building and creativity, thoughtfully balanced
Campers strengthen technique, collaborate with others, and explore creative expression in programs designed to be engaging, motivating, and rewarding.
- Rooted in expertise and a love of music
As the nation’s largest community music school with more than 118 years of music education experience, MacPhail brings unmatched depth, care, and a genuine love of music to every camp experience.
- Designed for joyful summer learning
Each camp blends high-quality instruction with the energy and fun of summer—trying new things, making friends, and discovering what music can mean in their lives.
Suzuki Summer Institute
The Suzuki Summer Institute offers masterclasses, group classes and performance opportunities for piano and guitar students, and teacher training sessions. Students experience musical growth through stimulating teaching from our excellent faculty, the motivating presence of their peers, and the nurturing support of their parents. The week’s inspiration can invigorate the children’s musical studies throughout the year.
Summer Camp Offerings
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Composition Camp: August 3-7
Unleash your creativity at our week-long Composition Camp, designed for young composers! This inspiring program offers students the opportunity to explore the art of music composition through hands-on writing sessions,...
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Musical World Camp: August 10-14
Ages 5-7 years Take a musical journey around the world! In this camp, we will explore the ways that children of different cultures play music and games, tell stories, sing,...
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Songwriters Lab Summer Camp: August 3-7
Discover your voice and share your story at our week-long Songwriting Lab at MacPhail! Designed for students 14 to 19, this program provides an inspiring and supportive environment to explore...
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Songwriting Camp for Kids: August 3-7
Ages 6-8 years Does your child make up songs at home? Join us in taking your child’s songwriting skills to another level. Students will create lyrics from familiar tunes, compose...
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String Chamber Music Orchestra Camp: August 10-14
Join us at String Chamber Music Orchestra Camp, a week-long program designed for string students ages 12-19 who are passionate about playing in both small ensembles and large string orchestra...
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Animals On Parade: Musical Trolley Camp CHANHASSEN: Aug 3-7
For ages 4-6 Playful animal themes will inspire us to learn about contrasting musical concepts such as fast/slow, forte/piano, legato/staccato, and steady beat through exploration of orchestral instruments, singing, moving,...
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Beginning Ukulele Camp: August 10-14
Ages 6-8 years Join this weeklong dive into basic ukulele playing for children ages 6-8 years. Children will explore the ukulele, learn a few chords, create songs, act out stories...