Printer FriendlyAbout the Outreach Programs
The Department of Music offers a number of outreach programs in music for prospective students.
UMass Lowell Mary Jo Leahey Symphonic Band Camp
The Mary Jo Leahey Symphonic Band Camp is a residential, musically-intensive honors band camp for instrumentalists in grades 9 through 12. Several full and partial scholarships are awarded. Interested applicants may download information from the Web site. Scholarships are available and contingent upon auditions, however auditions are not necessary to be accepted into the camp. The camp accepts approximately 115 student musicians, whose instruments include string, bass, oboe, french horn, piano and guitar. Classes include Concert Band, Honors Wind Ensemble, Jazz Improvisation, Conducting, Sound Recording Technology, Big Band, and Small Jazz Ensembles. For more information please contact the director, Deb Huber, at (978) 934-4133.
The New England Youth Wind Ensemble
The New England Youth Wind Ensemble is for high school students in grades 9-12. The ensemble meets on Monday evenings from 6:45-9 pm in Durgin Concert Hall. UMass Lowell's New England Youth Wind Ensembles bring students from the community together with college students from the UML Music Department to perform college-level music. This ensemble provides a unique opportunity for the participants. As in the nature of wind ensembles, there is only one individual per part. Students learn to listen, interpret, and perform across instrumental families, and to perform with soloists. Much responsibility rests with each musician, providing a significant challenge for all. Auditions take place in January. The ensemble begins at the end of January and runs through April, with a finale concert taking place in May. Applications may be downloaded from the website. For more information contact the Artistic Director and Conductor, Deb Huber, at (978) 934-4133.
The New England Junior Youth Wind Ensemble
The New England Junior Wind Ensemble is for junior high school students in grades 6-9. The ensemble meets on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 4.50-6 pm in Durgin Concert Hall. UMass Lowell's New England Junior Wind Ensemble (inaugural year 2007) brings students from the middle school community together with college students from the UML Music Department to rehearse and perform. This ensemble provides a unique opportunity for the participants - young students are able to perform with those who will be the band directors of the future. Seating takes place in January - students are asked to prepare a piece to play in for a conductor's panel, in order to ascertain seating order. The ensemble begins at the end of January and runs through April, with a finale concert taking place in May. Applications may be downloaded from the website. For more information contact the Artistic Director and Conductor, Deb Huber, at (978) 934-4133.
UMass Lowell String Project
The UMass Lowell String Project is a new program that offers violin, viola, cello, and bass instruction to elementary students in the Lowell Public Schools. The students attend classes twice a week on campus and are taught by Music Department faculty members and undergraduate string majors. UMass Lowell is one of ten national sites for 2001 to join the National String Project Consortium organized by ASTA, the American String Teachers Association, with NSOA, the National School Orchestra Association. For more information, please call or write the director, Dr. Kay G. Roberts, at (978) 934-3867. A champion of music education for young children, Dr. Roberts initiated this project as well as the ensemble-in-residence, String Currents, which promotes American music.
Community Arts Outreach Program
Through its community arts outreach office, UML offers several programs for children and families. Current offerings include:
- Discovery Series presents family-oriented performing arts on Sundays. Call (978) 934-4444 for further information.
- Arts Bridge provides professional development workshops for teachers.
- SMARTS (Students Meeting the Arts) exposes children in grades K through 8 to performing arts in an educational and entertaining manner.
For additional information, call or write Christine Brown at the Arts Outreach Division, (978) 934-4449.