Summer Reimbursement Program

SUMMER MUSIC CAMP REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM

The Rocky River Music Backers are excited to announce our summer music reimbursement program for current 5th to 11th graders--this year expanded to include both vocal and instrumental students in our district! To be eligible to receive this reimbursement funding, you must (1) be a current participant in the Rocky River instrumental or vocal music program, and (2) be a participant in the Rocky River instrumental or vocal music program next year as a 6th through 12th grader. Your band or choir director will verify your participation eligibility.

There are many wonderful summer music opportunities available for students in our area, and participating in one is an excellent way to expand your music education and bring what you’ve learned back to our school’s music programs. Camps range from $100-$300 for local camps, to over $2000 for sleep-away camps. The Music Backers will reimburse you $100-$200 per student, to help cover the cost of a summer music camp or organized music performance opportunity.

Please note: Once reimbursement program applications have closed, and we know how many student applicants there are, we will know the exact amount available per student. The reimbursement amount will not exceed the amount paid for the camp. For example, if your camp costs $100, we would reimburse you only $100. If your camp costs $500, we would reimburse $100-$200, depending on the number of applicants.

If you are interested in participating in the reimbursement program for a summer music camp or organized music performance opportunity, please complete the online application form to the best of your ability by May 15th. If you do not know the exact amount of the camp, you can provide an estimate. Reimbursement program applications officially open April 15th. You will be notified of your reimbursement award amount by June 1st. After you attend the summer music program, you must complete a final scholarship survey, providing feedback about the camp, and providing proof of payment and participation. Reimbursement will be made after receipt of the final program survey in the Fall. 

Please see the final program survey for 2024 here: 2024 Reimbursement Form 

Questions about this program? Please email alice.allen@gmail.com or mmalquest@gmail.com.

We have compiled a list of some of the area summer music camps. You may choose a camp off of this list, but you may also apply for the reimbursement program to participate in another formal instrumental music camp or organized music performance opportunity that is not listed below. If you have questions about your prospective summer music program’s eligibility, please email alice.allen@gmail.com or mmalquest@gmail.com.

Summer Music Opportunities

●      Tri-C www.tri-c.edu/arts-and-entertainment/creative-arts-academy/summer-immersions.html

●      BW https://bwcommunityarts.bw.edu/summer-arts-programs/

●      The Music Settlement www.themusicsettlement.org/camps/summer-offerings-and-camps

●      Otterbein University www.otterbein.edu/events-conferences/summercamps/music-camp/

●      Beck Center www.beckcenter.org/education-programs

●      University of Akron www.uakron.edu/music/Summer-camp/

●      Kent/Blossom www.kent.edu/blossom

●      Oberlin www.oberlin.edu/summer-programs/programs

●      OSU https://music.osu.edu/outreach/ysmp2024

●      Blue Lake https://bluelake.org/summer-camp/

●      Capital University www.capital.edu/academics/services-and-programs/summer-programs/summer-music/

●      Summer Symposium @ Ball State https://camp.musicforall.org/

●      Westlake HS (Flyer located here)

Impact since starting the reimbursement program in 2023:

1.  In 2023, Rocky River Students participated in camps at Tri-C and Westlake High School. In 2024, we are anticipating students to attend camps at Tri-C, The Beck Center, Baldwin Wallace, Westlake High School, SJA Stars, and School of Rock.

Students write about their 2023 camp experience: 

• From a Tri-C Jazz Fest participant: "I had an extraordinary two weeks. I was impressed with the focus, talent and amount of material we got through during camp. I feel like a lot of the music theory I learned in the camp can be applied to Jazz Band here at RRHS. The two days of performances were so fun because we had worked so hard on everything during camp and we shared that hard work with the downtown crowd. I also enjoyed tickets to as many shows as possible including the show my teacher and director of the camp Dominic Farinacci who performed inside Playhouse Square. It was an honor to be a part of the Next Generation stage and wear the festival artist lanyard."

• From a Westlake Summer Band participant: "It was cool to get to play with kids from another school. Putting together a concert in a week took a lot of work, but it was fun!"

• From a Tri-C Jazz Fest participant: "This program helped me to develop skills both as an individual musician and as a member of both a big band and a smaller ensemble. I developed a greater understanding of music theory and strengthened my abilities to improvise. Additionally, the program allowed me access to the Tri-C Jazzfest performances which gave me the opportunity to see a large number of jazz performances which allowed me to expand my knowledge of jazz techniques as well."

Students write about their 2024 camp experience:

• Jazz Fest Summer Academy impacted me by not only giving me skills in playing, but also introducing me to the culture of jazz. It gave me a great idea of jazz theory and a lot of times I get to share my knowledge with peers in a more classical setting. I learned how to interpret music from lead sheets, recordings, and other things I was unfamiliar with.

• It gave me a chance to learn to communicate with others, use my voice differently, and make new cords. We got to try piano, ukulele and voice with three different teachers with different ways of teaching.

• It has made me realize many elements of my playing that need to be further explored/refined such as having a better comping vocabulary and a better vocabulary when it comes to soloing.

• I enjoy singing and this camp taught me tips on vocal health, gives me lots of practice, and helps me project my voice. That will help me in choir and chamber choir.

• I had a very fun time learning and practicing music with my other band mates, even though some of the music were very difficult. The Westlake band was very welcoming, especially since I’m from Rocky River band. This class definitely prepared for next year’s band.

• During SJA camp, I learned how to work with others to perform a musical number. We wrote a script to connect the songs. I learned about working on my vocals, as well as choreographed dance.

• I learned more about breath control and got to participate in 4 part harmony with other singers. I also gained confidence and sang in a trio during 1 of our songs.

• The Musical theater camp I enrolled in dramatically improved my musical skills. First of all, it pushed me to sing higher than I usually would sing in choir, to the F above middle C. Because of this, I can now more comfortably sing songs with wider ranges than what I was previously challenged by. Secondly, the rate at which we learned songs made it a requirement to be able to read sheet music, both standardly and 8vb. Finally, the camp helped speed up the speed at which I could learn music.

• It was a great opportunity to try some new instruments and work on voice for choir.

• It was good to experience an immersive music camp such as this 12 hour days, 5 days a week, culminating in a group concert

• I was interested in musical theater in middle school, but going to this camp for the last two years really opened up my love for musical theater and for singing. It gave me more confidence in performing. I learned a lot from the BW teachers regarding musical theater performance. I also learned some new techniques for singing, dancing and performing within a group. This experience has definitely helped in my development as a singer and performer. I truly believe it helped me when auditioning for last year's musical, River's Edge and Chromatix. I was so happy to be chosen to be in the musical ensemble and to be selected for River's Edge and Chromatix. I am also so excited to perform in both choirs this year. I am also very excited to try out again for this year's play and musical.