The Performing Arts Institute of Wyoming Seminary offers three summer music and performance programs for students of elementary- and middle-school age. PAI Junior Division is a program for instrumental students, Young Artists Musical Theater is for students who love to perform, and Music Makers is an introduction to music that fosters creativity and imagination.

PAI Junior Division

Many instrumental students in grades 5, 6, 7 and 8 are looking for a summer experience that allows them to improve their musical skills in a fun, upbeat atmosphere. The Junior Division of the Performing Arts Institute (PAI) is just the environment to cultivate their talents and to meet friends who enjoy music as much as they do. Open to string, woodwind, brass, percussion and piano players, the PAI Junior Division is designed to inspire young musicians to make the leap into a lifetime of musicmaking. A positive summer experience is often exactly what it takes to motivate students to practice and to become leaders in their own school music programs.

Junior PAI is comprehensive, including basic musicianship, instrumental ensembles, chorus, music classes, performances and recitals. Music classes allow students to acquire fundamentals in music; instrumental ensembles provide young musicians with a challenging ensemble experience; and Institute Chorus enables students to sing side by side with the "senior" PAI students while developing their sight-singing skills. At the close of each day, all students and faculty meet for "Grab Bag" which allows everyone the chance to explore widely varied topics such as improvisation, music technology, and performance poise.

Special notes: Location is at the Wyoming Seminary Upper School in Kingston. Students may bring their own lunch or purchase lunch in the cafeteria. Students must have studied their instrument at least two years.

Daily Schedule:

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Young Artists Musical Theater

Students ages 10-13 who flourish in a creative environment will feel right at home in Young Artists Musical Theater. For two weeks each summer students improve their musical skills and experience the challenges and rewards of producing a Broadway musical theater revue. Fast friendships are formed during this high-energy, high-quality experience!

Each morning, students and teachers gather for chorus rehearsal, basic musicianship class, solfeggio lessons and musical games. Solfeggio class enables young musicians to develop sight-singing skills which are put to practical use while part-singing in chorus. Basic musicianship class offers a wide range of activities enabling students to learn the fundamentals of music in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.

After lunch, students rehearse for a musical theater revue in which every student has solo and ensemble experience. Written by our faculty, the revue is a compilation (often humorous!) of songs and dances from Broadway musicals chosen specifically for students enrolled in the program. The program culminates with a performance of the revue on the Lower School campus. Rehearsals and performances take place in Forty Fort in our recently renovated auditorium with comfortable seating, professional lighting, air conditioning and superb acoustics.

Special notes: Location is at Wyoming Seminary Lower School in Forty Fort. Students should bring their own lunch.

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Music Makers

With or without prior musical training, children in ages 7-9 thrive in Music Makers. This two-week program fosters creativity and imagination while providing a solid foundation in pitch, rhythm, phrasing and music listening. Based on the teachings of music education pioneers Carl Orff and Zoltan Kodaly, Music Makers activities include solfeggio-singing, movement, musical games, recorder, chorus, mallet percussion (Orff instruments), and African drum circles.

Solfeggio-singing develops each child's natural ability to sing in tune, to read music and rhythms and to sight-sing. Recorder class also reinforces those skills and provides opportunity to perform easy chamber music. Chorus is where our young musicians learn simple part-singing with a repertoire including traditional, American and ethnic folk songs.

Children in Music Makers also love to use the mallet and percussion instruments designed by composer Carl Orff. On these child-sized instruments, they experience the fun of improvisation and the joys of both chamber music and song accompaniment.

Movement is the most natural way for children to develop awareness of musical patterns and phrases. Daily experience in folk dancing, movement games and improvisation cultivate confident and happy young musicians.

Music Makers will take place at Wyoming Seminary's Lower School campus, located in Forty Fort. Its resources - playgrounds, classrooms and auditorium - meet the unique needs of children both in work and play.

Special notes: Children should bring their own lunch. A snack is provided.

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