Welcome to the Rappahannock Summer Music Camp! Please read these policies carefully. Submitting an application to attend camp means that you have read, understand, and agree to abide with everything that is printed here.
A complete application consists of these items:
• Student Application Form
• $100 nonrefundable deposit, or payment of any greater amount.
In addition, CIT applicants also need to submit:
• Counselor (CIT) Application
• 1-2 Letters of Recommendation
If financial assistance is requested, please submit a financial aid request. All requests will be carefully considered.
All forms should be submitted online. Click here for online forms.
Paper forms can be requested by contacting RSMC:
RSMCdirector@aol.com
540-846-8436
Rappahannock Summer Music Camp
P.O. Box 836
Spotsylvania, VA 22553-0836
Intermediate and Advanced Programs
Students enrolling in the Intermediate or Advanced program must have completed at least one year of study on their instrument. This study can either be in the form of private lessons, or participation in a band or orchestra. The Intermediate/Advanced program is for students who are between the ages of 9 and 18. If a student wants to enroll in the intermediate/advanced program, and he has had at least one year of instruction on his instrument, and he is younger than 9 years old, a parent or guardian should contact the camp director to discuss enrollment for their child.
In the Intermediate/Advanced programs, students can choose from classes such as Jazz Improvisation, Conducting, Ear Training, Composition/Orchestration, Voice Tech, Music History, Piano Skills, Dance Class, String Styles, School of Rock, or other classes. Students can also enroll in Instrument Workshops, Music Theory, Concert Band, Orchestra, Chamber Music, Chorus, and Jazz Ensemble.
All students in the Intermediate/Advanced program must audition. Auditions are for seating and placement purposes only, not for acceptance into RSMC. Please come to registration prepared to perform on your instrument(s) all audition requirements for your instrument(s). You will also be asked to sightread at the audition. Results and chair listings will be posted at 8AM on Monday morning.
Students can not choose to enroll in either the Intermediate or Advanced programs. Students will be placed in either of the two programs based on their audition. All of the same classes and ensembles will be offered to students of both programs. The level of instruction and repertoire will vary between the two programs in order to best suit the musicality and skill levels of the students in each program.
Junior Program
Students enrolling in the junior program should be between the ages of 8 and 11. These students will be eligible for their school’s band or orchestra program in the next year or two. The junior program is an exploratory program. This program prepares students for their school’s band or orchestra program by teaching students beginning skills in music notation, music theory, and ear training. Students will also have hands-on experience with all band and orchestral instruments that they may choose for future study. Instrumental classes include instruction in the proper assembly, care, maintenance, tone production, and handling of the different instruments. Students may elect to take a private lesson on an instrument of their choosing if they are interested in pursuing that instrument further.
Choosing A Program
Students who, by their age, qualify for more than one program should carefully read the program descriptions and choose the program that best fits their interests.
CIT (Counselor In Training)
A limited number of CIT positions are available to students who have completed the 10th, 11th, or 12th grades and who qualify based on maturity, level of musicianship, and personal recommendations. Students who are awarded these scholarships will attend the camp tuition free and act as CITs, providing leadership in ensembles and helping with administrative tasks and supervision of younger students. All CIT applications should be submitted by April 15, 2011.
The CIT award covers the tuition fees only. The optional meals fees are not covered. Those fees are the responsibility of the student.
Tuition and Refunds
All tuition amounts and fees may be paid online with a credit or debit card, or by mail/in person with a check. Please take note that not all fees are refundable. Below is a chart of which fees may be refunded:
| Fee | Refundable? | Conditions |
| Special Pricing Tuition | no | pay in full by March 15, 2011 is NOT refundable at any time |
| Regular Price Tuition | yes | regular tuition amounts are refundable, less the $100 minimum deposit, and only before June 26, 2011 |
| Minimum $100 deposit | no | The minimum $100 deposit is not refundable, however, other tuition amounts over $100 are refundable, but only before June 26, 2011 |
| $20 Registration Fee | no | The $20 registration fee is not refundable at any time. |
| Meal plans | yes | Students can add or delete their meal plan options at any time up to July 10, 2011 with a full refund |
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available on a limited basis. Families who wish to request financial assistance should submit the financial aid form. All requests will be very carefully considered. The actual amount of assistance may vary.
Attendance Policy
All students are required to be available for and to attend all camp activities and concerts on all 7 days from Sunday, July 10 to Saturday, July 16, 2011. In the case of an emergency that requires a student to miss a class or concert, parents/guardians should contact the camp director as soon as possible to discuss the student's absence.
Daily Schedule
Intermediate/Advanced program students are required to take RSMC Chorus, a theory class, Chamber Music, and the Instrumental Workshop. All other classes are the student’s choice. Free time is built into every student's schedule. Students with free time in their schedule can use that time to practice or schedule a private lesson or coaching. Students will choose their classes at registration.
Junior program students will have their own classes, although there may be some classes where they will be mixed with the Intermediate/Advanced program students. A daily recreation time is part of the schedule for junior program students.
Concerts
Concert attire for the student recital on Friday night is the camp shirt and tan/khaki pants. Concert attire for the final performance on Saturday is black pants, black shoes, and white shirt. Participation in the Saturday performance is mandatory for all students. After performing, students may not leave the building until the entire concert is over. All camp concerts are free and open to the public. Guest Artist performances may occasionally require that a ticket be purchased for non-camp community members to attend, but campers will get their ticket for free.
Dress Code
The dress code for all classes is casual. Shorts, tshirts, and flip-flops are acceptable! The following articles are NOT considered acceptable:
The dress code for Friday is the camp shirt and tan/khaki pants or shorts. Students may wear these clothes for the student recital that night, also, even if they are performing.
The dress code for the final performance on Saturday is black pants, black shoes, and white shirt. Girls may opt to wear a black skirt, but the skirt MUST be below the knee in length.
Meals
All meals will be served in the commons area. Campers may choose to be on the meal plan, or they may brown bag their lunch/dinner each day. No student may leave the school grounds for lunch or for any other reason without permission from the camp director.
Parents/families are welcome to join the students at dinner before the concerts each night. Parents can sign up for the meal plan, brown bag their own food, or pick up their child and go to dinner, making sure that the child is back before the start of the 7PM concert.
Private Lessons
Private lessons will be offered to interested students during the week. Students can sign up for a private lesson when they register on Sunday. The fee for a private lesson is $25 for 45 minutes and should be paid directly to the teacher. Students should come prepared with something to play or sing for the teacher at the lesson.
Medical Emergencies
For your child’s safety and protection, please be as accurate and specific as possible when providing medical information on the medical history form (to be provided on registration day). All information will be kept confidential. In the case of an extreme medical emergency, we would not be able to obtain treatment from a hospital without your signature and permission on the medical form. There will be a state-certified EMT on the premises and/or on call at all times during the camp week, including weekends.
Student Behavior
Students are expected to be on time for all classes and rehearsals. Intermediate/Advanced program students are also responsible for making sure that their instrument is in proper working order, including having proper sticks/mallets and accessories (reeds, strings, etc.). Students are not to leave the school grounds for any reason, including lunch, without permission from the camp director. Students are expected to act responsibly and respectfully to the conductors, teachers and fellow musicians. Students who show disrespect, act unprofessionally, or otherwise behave inappropriately for ANY reason, may be dismissed from RSMC for the remainder of the week without refund.
