Keyboard Explorations

Keyboard Explorations
Level I (grades 5-9): July 1-6, 2024 (no activities on July 4) / 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
Level II (grades 10-12): July 8-12, 2024 / 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.   
Location: Eastman School of Music

“It is an amazing camp that covers and improves all aspects of piano.” –2023 participant

“Keyboard Explorations is a great way to launch into the summer! It helped me want to keep playing all summer rather than take a break from my instrument. I learned about music history too! I loved the movement part of the program.” –2023 participant

Howard Spindler and Ke’er Wang, directors

Level I (grades 5-9)
This one-week piano intensive program for grades 5-9 will feature piano solo and ensemble workshops; sessions on great pianists; workshops on practice methods, techniques and performance skills; history and historic instruments; as well as daily Dalcroze musicianship classes. Students will be paired into ensemble groups for two pianos or four hands, which they will be assigned in June. In the morning session, students have a group piano lesson, and students will play for and listen to their peers. All students will have the opportunity to play in a masterclass with a world-renowned piano artist. The program offers important learning opportunities for young pianists to establish their musicianship. This is a non-residential in-person program. 

Level II (grades 10-12)*
After great success with the middle school Keyboard Explorations program, this year we added a one-week intensive program for high schoolers. It will have the same features to the original version, but at a pre-collegiate level. There will also be a final performance and a masterclass with a world-renowned piano artist. This is a non-residential in-person program.
*May accept advanced students of younger grades

Performances: TBD – Level I will be on July 6 and Level II will be on July 12
Faculty Concert TBD

Tuition: $415
–Please note that tuition is due by June 27 in order to hold a student’s place in the program. Registration is not complete until tuition is received in full.
-Also note that housing and meals are not included/available. Students should pack a lunch every day (refrigeration not provided).

Discounts:

  • 10% off for ECMS Students enrolled both semesters of current year
  • 25% tuition waiver for eligible UR employees

Registration deadline: June 1, 2024. After that date, call 274-1400 to verify that space remains. 
This allows for the directors to plan and send out music to the students in advance of the program.

Keyboard Explorations Daily Schedule Note that this is a sample schedule from 2023

Register HERE! 

Registration Checklist
1. Register at the link above.
2. Submit a performance video HERE. This should be a complete performance of 1-2 pieces that the student has recently learned. Please be sure the file contains the student’s name.
3. Ask the student’s music teacher to submit a recommendation letter to the directors: hspindler@esm.rochester.edu and kwang52@u.rochester.edu.

Visit Summer@Eastman’s blog for some great articles on the Eastman Experience, interviews with faculty, helpful tips, and much more!