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Morse Summer Music Academy

» Apply for the 2013 Morse Academy now

The Morse Summer Music Academy provides comprehensive summer music instruction for accomplished student musicians from the New Haven Public Schools. The program nurtures and develops creativity, musicianship, and musical leadership in students who are passionate about music. Parental involvement and continuing musical opportunities throughout the school year are hallmarks of the Academy. The program is open for application to all NHPS students in 5th-11th grades who play piano, woodwind, brass, string, and percussion instruments.

Applicants for the Morse Summer Music Academy must exhibit musical accomplishment, enthusiasm, and work habits conducive to an intensive music instruction program, including at least a "B" average on their NHPS report card. Interested students meeting these criteria may apply online now or request a paper application from their NHPS music teacher. Applications will be accepted until April 14, 2013.

After applying, all students interested in attending the Morse Academy must audition, and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for a parent/guardian meeting. Auditions and parent/guardian meetings will be held at the Yale School of Music in Hendrie Hall (165 Elm Street, New Haven) on the following dates. Please mark your calendar to come audition on one of these dates:

Monday, May 13, 5:00-8:00pm
Tuesday, May 14, 5:00-8:00pm

 

Program Details

The 2013 Morse Academy will run from July 29 – August 23, 2013. Students attend Monday/Wednesday/Friday 9am-1pm, and Tuesday/Thursday 9am-5pm. Parents join to attend performances and workshops Tuesday/Thursday 3:30-5pm. The Academy takes place at Hendrie Hall at the Yale School of Music, 165 Elm Street in New Haven.

During the Academy, students will participate in:

• private lessons once a week
• sectional rehearsals
• ensembles
• ear training
• music theory
• composition and conducting
• formal weekly recitals
• field trips to galleries and museums
• field trip to the Norfolk Summer Music Festival

All instruction is given by NHPS music teachers, Yale School of Music graduate students and alumni, as well as faculty from the Yale School of Music.

Parental Involvement

Because parental commitment and enthusiasm are such crucial components in children’s development as musicians, parent/guardian involvement in the Morse Academy is required. Tuesday and Thursday parents’ workshops each week during the program address relevant issues for parents and guardians of gifted musicians and educate them in ways to prepare their children for future musical experiences.

Year-Long Opportunities

Students who successfully complete the Academy have musical opportunities throughout the academic year. These opportunities include master classes, private lessons, and attendance at Yale School of Music and professional performances.

History

The Morse Summer Music Academy is made possible through a generous endowment established by Enid and Lester Morse, Yale College ’51, and is offered free of charge to New Haven Public School students. The first Academy took place in summer 2010 with participants from 10 schools.

If you have any questions that are not answered on this page, please contact the Morse Summer Music Academy at morsemusicacademy@yale.edu or Lead Teacher Rubén Rodríguez at ruben.rodriguez@yale.edu.