The Premier Summer Music Camp in New Jersey

Our summer music camp in New Jersey, July 22-26, brings together student talented musicians and an amazing faculty in our inspiring rural campus in Lebanon, NJ. We have two amazing music programs to choose from depending on your musical interests.

Rock Camp - We pride ourselves in creating an inspiring environment where students are having fun and making friends, while also learning so much about music from the early days of Rock in the 1950’s to what is happening today in the music. Open to beginner through advanced musicians, in Rock Camp musicians have lessons in the morning, a morning ensemble, afternoon electives, afternoon lessons, and then a different afternoon ensemble. Our musicians then perform at our Friday Concert Series at the end of the week for family, friends, and the public. You will be amazed how students grow in our 5 day music program at Rock Camp. Rock Camp is from 9-2:50 pm, and there is late afternoon elective for interested students called Intro Jazz Workshop from 3-5 pm.

Rock Camp, Summer Music Camp in New Jersey

Jazz Workshop - Jazz Workshop meets in the afternoons, 1-5 pm, and is geared towards teens and adults looking to take their understanding of jazz to the next level. We will dive into the whole history of jazz from the music of Duke Ellington to Herbie Hancock, to what is happening today in the music. Students have lessons with master teachers and performers, perform in a variety of ensembles, and have classes that explore topics such as improv, harmony, and composition/arranging.

Jazz Workshop, Summer Music Camp in New Jersey

Jazz Workshop, Premier Jazz Summer Camp in New Jersey

In Jazz Workshop, a New Jersey jazz summer camp for teens and adults, we explore the music from many points of view. Let’s take a look at the jazz standard, All the Things You Are.

How would one approach soloing on this piece? First off, I think it’s important to understand what’s happening with the harmony. In the first 5 bars of the melody we are in the key of A flat major, and then we are in the key of C major for bars 6-7-8. Let’s just take the first 8 bars. There is a macro way of approaching our solo and more of a micro way. For the macro approach you can play ideas in the key of A flat major for bars 1-5, and then shift your focus to playing ideas C major in bars 6-7-8. By thinking in these big harmonic sweeps, you can let your ideas breathe and use space more easily. I find you are a bit less in your head and you can just let your ear guide the way in the key you are in.

A micro approach would be knowing your scales for each chord you are playing. So for F minor 7th chord one could think F natural minor (also called F aeolian mode), and for B flat minor one could think B flat minor dominant 7th scale or B flat dorian mode. It’s important to know your scales not just in the abstract but be able to play them in time in the song you are working on.

At some point what’s start to happen is these 2 approaches merge and you are able to do both at the same time. It’s similar to when you drive you see the car in front of you but you are aware that there is a curve in the road 10 cars ahead of you as well. he ironic thing also is that once you develop then your ideas and vocabulary with these two approaches, you basically “forget” what you learned (using quotes here, you never really forget, it’s just not your focus anymore) and you use your ear to guide you as you tell a story through your solo with your fellow musicians.

In Jazz Workshop in Lebanon, New Jersey in Hunterdon County, we dive into the music and have a while lot of fun along the way. See you this summer!

A Unique Kind of Music Camp in New Jersey

Tucked away in the beautiful countryside of Hunterdon County in Lebanon, New Jersey, is a very different kind of music camp that has been around for twenty years offering an inspiring musical experience for all ages.

Our music camp is structured in a way where we have 2 music programs that run side-by-side:

1. Rock Camp is from 9 - 2:50 pm, Monday-Friday, and is an amazing program where students have lessons throughout the day, play in a variety of ensembles, are able to take a number of electives during the day. While all this is happening we are having a whole lot of fun! I mean this is summer and we want students to have an inspiring experience and make friends along the way. If students would like to study jazz, we have an additional elective from 3-5 pm called Jazz Workshop. At the end of the week, students perform an amazing concert for friends, family, and the public. You can see our complete curriculum on our site.

2. Jazz Workshop is from 1-5 pm and is geared towards teens and adults who have some experience in music and are looking to dive into the world of jazz. Students study harmony, improvisation, and perform in a variety of ensembles. You can see our full curriculum on our site as well.

We look forward to seeing you this summer at the premier music camp in New Jersey, Rock Camp and Jazz Workshop. All students are welcome from beginners-advanced, and all ages as well. Our teachers are all performing musicians who love to share their knowledge. We look forward to seeing you this summer!

That's a Wrap, Summer 2023

Yesterday was the last day of our summer camps and classes for students of all ages, including our adult classes, in music, art, ceramics, theater, and dance. So proud of how every single student explored their chosen art form in such a deep, thoughtful, and collaborative way. Everyone worked together as a team to reach a new level and it was a whole lot of fun along the way! On behalf of all of the teachers of Rock Camp, Diving into Art, Explore Ceramics, Dance Intensive, Theater Workshop, and Jazz Workshop in Bridgehampton, New York City, and Lebanon, NJ - thank you!

Rock Camp, The Premier Music Camp in New Jersey

Tucked away in the rolling hills of Hunterdon County in Lebanon, New Jersey is a music camp like no other, Rock Camp, which has been providing an inspiring musical experience to musicians of New Jersey for over 14 years. Beginner and experienced students are welcome, ages 7-19 years old, to take their music to the next level.

Students will have workshops, morning and afternoon ensembes, lessons, electives and and end of the week concert for friends, family and the public (see our full curriculum). Musicians will work with their peers and expert teachers to learn the full spectrum of rock music from a variety of time periods. Our campus is located on the beautiful campus of Acorn Montessori School in Lebanon, New Jersey

The end of the week concert is a real milestone for musicians. Students take all of that knowledge they have learned in their lessons and ensemble classes throughout the week and come together to create music they did not think was possible at the beginning of the week. Students finish the week with a certain confidence that that comes the realization that you can create incredible music through teamwork, inspiration, and practice.

Summer Camp in Lebanon, New Jersey, Hunterdon County, Rock Camp

If you are looking for a different kind of summer camp experience in New Jersey, check out Rock Camp held in Lebanon, Hunterdon County at Acorn Montessori School. We welcome students, 7-19, beginners-advanced. Our aspiring musicians have small group lessons, ensembles, outdoor activities, student concerts, and prepare for an end of the week concert where they will perform rock music from the 1950’s to what’s happening today. We also offer a number of electives in songwriting, recording techniques, film scoring, and other topics that interest our aspiring musicians.

Students get individual attention to ensure each person is growing into his or her full potential in this uniquely fun summer experience called Rock Camp.

Give us a call at (908) 230-6079 to learn more or explore our site. See you this summer!

Private Lessons & Classes in Music and Art

First off, I want to tell every student, whether you studied music, art, or dance, that we are all very proud of your achievements this summer! Watching each of you grow in your own unique way, was nothing short of amazing. You all worked hard, dug deep, and rose to another level which we all were able to see in your concerts, art exhibits, and dance recitals.

While our full day camp is over for summer 2022, we will be offering private lessons (1 hour long each) in music and art, and folks are also able to book ensemble classes (2 hrs) and art classes (2 hrs).

If you would like to continue your exploration into music and art, we are here, just give us a ring or email, (908) 230-6079, HMSRockCamp@gmail.com. We are here for you!

Working as a Team, Summer Music Camp in Lebanon, New Jersey

In our music camp in the hills of Hunterdon County in Lebanon, New Jersey, everyone works as a team to create music. Whether you are a beginner or advanced musician, you come to see that the whole is greater than the parts. It’s a special kind of synergy.

In lessons you learn to new skills and your technique and mastery of your instrument grows, but that is just part of making music. The other part is working together in bands with others on a project, creating and learning new music for the end of the week concert. What happens in that process? You build friendships with your fellow musicians. Your awareness goes up, in what you are playing and what others are playing. You build trust in your fellow musicians, and you work together to constantly make the music better and better.

In addition to teamwork, musicians come to understand the joy of expressing yourself with sound. We are all used to that happening with words and the written page, but that expression takes on another dimension when it happens in music, as well as the visual arts, dance, and theater.

Here is a great video that dives into how music is a language from bassist Victor Wooten.

It's All About Your Sound, Music Camp in Long Island and New Jersey

In Rock Camp and Jazz Workshop our music summer camp in Long Island, Bridgehampton, and Lebanon, New Jersey, we focus on what makes a great sound on your instrument. Whether you are a pianist, guitarist, drummer, singer, or whatever your instrument is, your sound is your what makes your music unique to you.

Often times many teachers will focus on the “what.” This is the scale that works over this harmony, and that is something we need to know, but there is something more important than that, your sound. Your sound or your voice on your instrument is what draws the listener closer to the music. It is something unique to you and something that should be developed side by side with learning music techniques, harmony, and rhythm.

So how does one work on one’s sound? For wind instruments, saxophone, flute, trumpet, etc…, you will focus on your breath and embouchure paying attention to things like vibrato, and your approach to how you play the note (legato, staccato). For pianists, guitarists, bassists, and drummers we pay attention to playing without tension, your attack (how you strike the note, thinking like a drummer), the position of your body and how that can change your sound.

Working on one’s sound is a process that takes place over time, and just having that awareness will help you create a sound that is personal and unique to you, a voice that expresses all you have to say in music!

Here are a few examples of musicians with distinct voices on their instruments.

The Premier Music Camp in New Jersey, Rock Camp and Jazz Workshop

When you come to our music camp, Rock Camp or Jazz Workshop, in the beautiful countryside of Lebanon, New Jersey, you will learn to master your instrument, play with others, and have a whole lot of fun along the way! At the end of the week we have a concert for friends, family, and the general public, a concert that our students prepare all week for.

While the music will undoubtably be amazing by all our students, whether beginner or advanced, no concert you will ever go to is ever “perfect.” Mistakes happen onstage, many of which no one in the audience notices because they are so minute and the musicians recover so quickly. We tell students it’s ok if you make mistakes. The key is to keep your cool and quickly recover, get back on the horse so to speak. After all, we are all human and part of being human is that mistakes happen.

Here is a video of the great pianist Herbie Hancock talking about that and how he came upon a surprising realization after hitting the wrong chord in a performance. Click here to see the video.

You Be You: Music, Art, Dance, and Theater Camps in Bridgehampton, NY and Lebanon, NJ

One of the benefits for those that come to our summer camps and classes in the Hamptons and New Jersey, Rock Camp, Jazz Workshop. Diving into Art, Dance Intensive, and Theater Workshop is that you are doing two things at the same time.

I once has a teacher that asked me what was a guitar. What is it? Well, it’s carved wood with steel or nylon strings, etc… The teacher shook his head, no, no, no. He smiled and said the guitar is a reflection of you! When you are studying to learn and master an art form this concept becomes more apparent every day. Through learning an art form you start to learn more and more about yourself. The second thing you realize is that while it’s important you work on your individual skills, it is also important to work well with others, to cooperate, challenge and support your fellow musicians, artists, dancers, and actors. These two ideas are not only important in the arts, but life in general!

Looking forward to seeing everyone this July!

Music Camp in New Jersey

Tucked away in the beautiful countryside of Hunterdon County in Lebanon, New Jersey is a music camp dedicated to inspiring musicians, beginner-advanced, to take their music to the next level. At Rock Camp and Jazz Intensive students have morning and afternoon lesson and play in morning and afternoon bands. Our goal is for students to have a fun and social experience while also learning to play music from a variety of angles.

At the end of the week students perform in a concert for their friends, family and the public where you will hear a wide variety of rock music (for those in Rock Camp) and for those enrolled in Jazz Workshop you will hear jazz from the 50’s through today. You will also hear students perform original music which gets musicians thinking outside the box and the intersection of lyrics/telling a story and song structure possibilities.

So if you are looking for a music camp in New Jersey that is both fun and inspiring, you are in the right spot.

Music Camp in New Jersey for Teens and Adults

If you have a passion for music then you are in the right spot at our music camp in Lebanon, New Jersey at Rock Camp (9-3 pm), Jazz Workshop (3-5 pm), and Adult;t Lessons (3-5 pm). We welcome beginners-advanced students.

In Rock Camp you will have a morning and afternoon lessons, morning and afternoon band, a whole bunch of electives in the afternoon, and you will be surrounded by musicians your age who share your interests. On top of that, our staff are all musicians pursuing their music and also love too share what they have learned along the way and teach at area colleges such as Rutgers University, Rider University, and Raritan Valley Community College.

In Jazz Workshop you will play in an ensemble, have lessons on your instrument, learn about harmony and how to improvise, and create original works of your own. Our teachers are all active performers in NYC, NJ, and regularly play festivals and concert halls around the world.

Call us at (908) 230-6079 to learn more……yes, we are old school like that, we love to speak on the phone, or you can email us at HMSRockCamp@gmail.com!

Summer Performing Arts Camp in the Hamptons and New Jersey, Music, Art, Dance, Theater

If you have a passion for either music, art, dance, or theater, we welcome you to our summer camp in the Hamptons, Long Island, or our campus in Lebanon, New Jersey. Our summer camps are for all ages (Adults, College, High school, and middle school) and include Rock Camp, Jazz Workshop, Diving Into Art, Dance Intensive, and Theater Workshop. Wherever your passion lies, we have you covered, and encourage you to dive in and get inspired this summer.

Give us a call or email and we can tell you more, (908) 230-6079, HMSRockCamp@gmail.com.

• In Rock Camp students having morning and afternoon lessons, morning and afternoon bands, electives, and perform at the end of the week for friends, family and the public.

• In Jazz Workshop students perform in ensembles, learn to improvise, and understand how harmony works. Students perform a concert for friends, family, and the public.

• In Diving Into Art students learn acrylic painting in Session I (July 18-22, Hamptons) and Watercolor Painting (July 25-29, Hamptons). There are electives in the afternoon and each week culminates with a public exhibit at the end of the week.

• In Dance Intensive students engage in our hip hop workshop taught by one of the leading dancer/choreographers in the dance world, Carlos Neto (Alvin Ailey, Broadway Dance Center, NYU). There is a performance at the end of the week for family, friends, and the general public. (July 18-22 only, Hamptons).

• In Theater Workshop students will perform the musical Little Shop of Horrors. This camp is two weeks long, July 18-22 and then July 24-28 in the Hamptons.

Jazz Camp in New Jersey and the Hamptons

Our jazz camp in New Jersey and the Hamptons is meant for musicians who want to take their music to another level in terms of improvising, finding their creative voice, and making music with like minded musicians who love music as much as you do. We have an adult class, a class for high school musicians, and a separate division for our middle school musicians in our jazz camp which meets in July in the afternoons, 3-5 pm (July 11-15 in New Jersey, and July 18-22 in the Hamptons). Whether you are an adult, a college students, a high schooler, or someone own middle school hungry to learn, you will find a welcome home here at Jazz Workshop.

Many musicians in our jazz camp ask about soloing and how to improvise. A few things come to mind.

1. A great solo is like a great story. Just like a great story, whether its a movie or in a book, has an arch, the same is true in music. There is a narrative that one can follow, with a theme or various themes. There is a beginning, middle, and an end. There is dialogue which translates into how a soloist articulates his or her ideas and uses spaces, pauses, exclamations, just like when we speak.

2. The soloist’s ideas are tied into the harmony of the music, and when it’s not connected to the harmony (when someone plays outside the key for instance) it’s done in a purposeful way.

3. A solo is alive, in the moment, and responds and interacts with the band playing.

There are many many amazing soloists in jazz, each with his or her unique voice. Here is the great Sonny Rollins soloing over his song St. Thomas.

Summer Jazz Camp in New Jersey and Long Island, Jazz Workshop

Jazz Workshop is a music camp in New Jersey and the Hamptons that aims to take students to a higher level through mastering their instrument or voice, how to solo, how to understand harmony, and inspiring students to find their individual voice in music.

Let’s look at George Gershwin’s song, Summertime, as an example of how we can dive into the music.

1. As a baseline for improvising on this song we need to know that we are in the key of d minor, and everyone will play the triads for d minor, g minor, and A major, root position and with inversions.

2. We see in measure 2 and 3, that we have a ii-V-i pattern. The II-V-I and it’s minor key equivelent, ii-V-i, is a harmonic cornerstone to many jazz songs, particularly music of the American Songbook. So after understanding this we need to put this knowledge in our fingers, voice, and become fluent with playing II-V-I’s passages in different ways and in different keys.

3. What about improvising? Well, there are many approaches we can take. A macro approach, and a way to just start getting into the music would be to review the d and g harmonic minor scales, as well as the f major scale. The d harmonic minor scale (d-e-f-g-a-b flat-c sharp) can be used over measure 1-3, 7-11, 14-16 while the g harmonic minor scale (g-a-b flat-c-d-e flat-f sharp) can be used in measures 4-6. The F major scale can be used in measures 12 and 13.

This is only one of many ways to start creating your own melodies over the song. Initially it’s important to learn the building blocks (scales, arpeggios, etc..), but once you have this understanding, one needs to throw this knowledge out the window in a way, and start creating melodies and lines that come from your voice, your own creativity, what you are hearing into the music. Then the music really comes alive and will inspire you and everyone listening!

Music Camp in New Jersey and Hamptons, 3 Things to Know

I have seen a few different approaches to music camps/education.....At Rock Camp and Jazz Workshop, our summer music camp in New Jersey and the Hamptons, I can confidently say we are the 3rd approach, without a doubt!

1. A fluffy-music-appreciation type of experience - that's not us (I am having flashbacks to when my children were very young and we took a few of these classes).

2. A hardcore conservatory approach (i.e Manhatten School of Music, Julliard...this is great but it's meant for older students and is meant as a pre-professional, bootcamp approach) -that's definitely not us either......

3. Banff Approach (a great center for the arts in western Canada). This is us!

The environment is social, fun, friendly, and students are inspired to learn and create as much from their teachers as their fellow musicians. You are surrounded by teachers who are pursuing careers in music who love to share with others. An interest in music or anything I suppose, is something that should be nurtured and allowed to grow at the same time.

Summer Jazz Camp in Lebanon, New Jersey

Our jazz camp in July we call Jazz Workshop which because this is a hands on experience where everyone is busy learning their instruments, playing in ensembles, learning to solo and accompany others, and creating new and original music.

An example of a song that we could dive into would be Horace Silver’s “Song for my Father.” The pianists would learn the chords and different voicings and how to comp behind the horns. The horn players would learn the melody obviously and the drummers would learn different rhythms that could work over the music.

After learning the written music, we would look at the harmony and what play through the scales the coincide with the chords and the overall key. Pianists would also dive into what is a montuno (a repeated rhythmic phrase played over chords). This then ties into the clave and the different types of claves acts as the rhythmic heartbeat of a song.

We would fluctuate between the micro and the macro in learning the music until we have it and everyone is soloing on a different level. It’s a fun process and one in which everyone will learn and get inspired whether you are a beginner to the music or are experienced.

Rock Camp, Jazz Workshop Summer Music Camp in Lebanon, New Jersey, Hunterdon County

Rock Camp and Jazz Workshop bringsthe most talented musicians from New Jersey and New York to work with students at our New Jersey campus and Hamptons Campus who have a passion for music. Rock Camp happens from 9-3, July 11-15th, and Jazz Workshop is afternoon program from 3-5 pm that same week.

It does not mater if you are experienced or brand new to music, our goal is for you to be 10 notches higher after your experience with us in terms of knowledge, technique, and inspiration.

We have a few things that are always top of mind.

1. This is summer and everyone wants to have a fun and an inspiring experience! It is equally important to us that student love their experience with us because that will feed into their enthusiasm for learning and taking risks.

2. Staying nimble. Our days are full (morning band, morning lessons, electives, afternoon band, afternoon lessons, concert at the of the week), so students will be places in may different musical situations and we help them navigate and succeed in every one of them.

3. Our faculty. Our faculty are all performing musicians and also teach or have taught at Rutgers University, University of Miami, Rider University, Westminster Choir College, Raritan Valley Community College, and many other schools and colleges in the area.