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MMR 2025

2025 Repertoire

Concert Band, Michael Burch-Pesses

Choir, Loren Pontén

String Orchestra, Sandi Schwarz

Symphony Orchestra, Nikolas Caoile

2025 Electives

There are three afternoon periods to select electives. The 2025 electives are listed here.

Gentle Yoga, Lydia Van Dreel
This gentle yoga class will involve slow, mindful movement, relaxing, restorative poses and deep breathing. No experience necessary. Bring a yoga mat and loose, comfortable clothing!

Baroque String Ensemble, Sandi Schwarz
In this elective we will explore:

  • It’s all in the BOW! Difference between Modern bowing and Baroque bowing.
  • Shaping and direction of a phrases.
  • The importance of harmony.
  • This year’s selection will be some movements from Telemann’s Ouverture-Suite in B-flat Major “Burlesque” [Performance Video]

Drum Circle, Patrick Roulet
You do not have to be a master drummer to succeed in this class. After learning the basic technique for hand drumming we will learn African and Latin drumming patterns. Through these patterns we practice our ensemble skills of listening, feeling the internal pulse and fitting our rhythm into the pattern. Past students have said that transferring what they learn in this class to their other instruments helps them in rehearsal and performance settings. 

Brass Ensemble, William Berry
Open to all brass: uses standard, modern instruments.

Jazz Big Band, Jim Sisko
An ideal group for all who enjoy performing large ensemble jazz. The group features traditional big band instrumentation: saxophones, trumpets, trombones and rhythm section players — piano, bass and drums. Repertoire is drawn from a mix of unique arrangements of jazz standards and originals. Will include one evening rehearsal on Wednesday. The band performs at Saturday night following the Festival Banquet. 

Afternoon Elective Orchestra,  Roger Nelson
An afternoon ensemble for strings and classical brass, winds. Repertoire drawn from all eras. Lots of sight reading; low key performance. Very fun! 

Saxophone Ensemble, Patrick Sheng
The saxophone ensemble rehearses and performs a variety of repertoire primarily from the classical and jazz idioms (but, as Cole Porter would say, we’re not afraid to dip our toes into the “anything goes” category). Instrumentation can vary from sax trio to sax choir, depending on camper instrumentation. All saxophonists of all levels are welcome!

Flute Choir, Faculty

Clarinet Choir, Faculty

Percussion Ensemble, Faculty

Jazz Improvisation, Jim Sisko
Open to instrumentalists and vocalists, this class will cover the basics of improvising: chord progressions, what scales to use with what chords, articulation styles, and how to develop a melody. 

Community through Song, Margaret Green. Experience community by singing together! All music will be taught in call and response style (up to four parts) and will include music from African, spiritual, gospel, and folk vocal traditions. Participants may also experiment with playing djembe and other percussion that enhances the singing. No prior singing experience is necessary.

How to Care for Your Voice, Scott Kovacs. Explore ways to care for your voice: the importance and technique of warm ups, vocal hygiene and routine “maintenance,” what to do when sick or vocally injured, and building vocal resilience as a strategy for long-term voice care. Though participants will sing, this is not a performance-based elective.

Medieval Women’s Choir, Lisa Pontén. Explore the mystical beauty of music from the 12th – 14th centuries, which will include serene plainchant, dramatic organum, and rowdy secular pieces in two or three parts. This music works well with lighter treble voices, or those that can control their vibrato well. Sessions will focus on tuning and phrasing ancient melodies. Learn about modes and drones and various forms of early vocal music. Music selection will include sacred (Latin) and secular texts.

Singing for Non-Singers, Nathan Shiu. Are you an instrumentalist who is curious about singing? Do you consider yourself a non-singer, or even scared of singing, but want to change that? Come join others who feel the same in a safe space to explore your voice. We’ll practice well-known folk and pop songs, rounds, and more! Presentation at the Saturday Sampler is not required.

The Magic of Taylor Swift, Gary Cannon. Whether you’re a veteran Swiftie or just wondering what all the fuss is about, this exploration of Taylor Swift is for you! We’ll consider her output both chronologically and thematically, including music and lyrics alike. Topics of discussion may include: the evolution of Taylor’s musical style over time; her expert craftsmanship in terms of harmony, melody, instrumentation, and structure; and how her lyrics reflect the fickleness of fame, the several stages of a love story, overt and subtle feminism, etc. And of course, there will be a bit of singing.

Musicianship for Singers, Loren Pontén. Are you overwhelmed by what you see in a choral or vocal score? Do you opt out of MMR chamber vocal ensembles because you think your sight-reading or music fundamentals skills are subpar? Do you always learn music by hearing it first? This elective is for you! Through this introductory level elective using the Kodály Method, participants will develop critical musical thinking and reading skills, and cultivate inner hearing through direct experience with the fundamentals of music.

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Midsummer Musical Retreat