Music Camp

Welcome to Cazadero. Since 1957, our camp has been providing the best in musical education and performances. The camp is in an old growth redwood grove approximately two hours from the Bay Area. In these beautiful surroundings, lives are changed forever through music making, recreation and friendship. We offer four youth music sessions, carefully configured for age-appropriate ability levels, and two sessions designed for participation by the whole family. Please refer to this brochure, as well as the specific expectations for the youth music sessions listed on the back of the camper application form. Then, select the appropriate session for your child based on this information. Please call the Berkeley office at 510.527.7500 if you have any questions.

YOUTH MUSIC SESSIONS PROGRAM INFORMATION

Students may participate in orchestra and symphonic band; jazz ensemble, guitar or piano programs by audition. A variety of electives are offered. Campers should have notational reading skills, at least three years of musical training, and sufficient technique to perform one- to three-octave scales on their instruments. Students in this session are encouraged to reach for a more challenging musical level. Concerts will be held July 17 and July 23.

AUDITIONS AND ENSEMBLE PLACEMENT: € While enrollment in camp programs is generally on a first-come, first-served basis, placement and eligibility for major performing ensembles, and seating and part assignments, is determined in part by audition upon arrival.  Students should come prepared with a short piece to best demonstrate tone, range and technique, and are asked to play scales and to sight-read at their audition. € Campers interested in jazz ensemble in the two-week sessions should also prepare a jazz audition selection.  See back of the application form for details.   NOTE: Campers are placed in ensembles based on ability, instrumental needs, and conductor criteria.  Some campers may not be placed on the instrument(s) requested.  Every effort will be made to accommodate camper requests.

NOTE: Campers are placed in ensembles based on ability, instrumental needs, and conductor criteria.
€ During the one-week session, orchestra is comprised of strings only, and all woodwinds, brass, and percussion are placed in concert band.
€ In two-week sessions, woodwinds, brass, and percussion may participate, by audition, in either jazz ensemble or orchestra for one week.
€ Jazz ensemble is offered as a major ensemble during two-week sessions; during one-week sessions, as a one-hour, daily elective class.


PIANO: Campers receive individual coaching and perform in chamber music ensembles. Piano is offered as a primary instrument and an elective in all sessions. Acceptance is by audition only; call 510-527-7500 for more information. There is a $125 piano lab fee for students accepted into the piano program.

GUITAR: The guitar program is offered in all sessions except Young Musicians. Campers receive individual coaching and perform in chamber music ensembles on acoustic guitar. Acceptance is by audition only; call 510-527-7500 for more information.

PERCUSSION, WINDS, BRASS AND STRINGS: Auditions are not required.  See application form for minimum requirements to be met.

ELECTIVE CLASSES: During Young Musicians and Middle School sessions, campers participate in all-camp choir for one hour daily. Campers may also select an additional one-hour elective class such as music theory, composition, conducting, jazz improvisation, chamber ensembles, instrumental techniques, percussion improvisation and vocalization, and nature studies.  Electives offered may vary from session to session.  Assignments are based on camper preference, ability level, and availability. Visit www.cazadero.org for more details.

CAMP LIFE

CAMP REGULATIONS
Cazadero is a non-smoking camp, and we conform with all laws governing drug use, alcohol use by minors, environmental protection, health, and safety. Youth Camp sleeping areas are separated by gender, with curfews. We strictly enforce policies that protect camp, camper, and staff privacy, safety and property. Violation of our policies may result in expulsion with no refund of fees.

ATTENDANCE
Campers must attend the duration of their camp session. We do not allow late arrivals or absence from sessions. There are no exceptions.

MEALS
€ Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the dining hall.
€ Some special dietary requirements can be accommodated with prior arrangement, but Cazadero is not equipped to prepare vegan or specialty diets.
€ Families are welcome to picnic at the camp before the concerts, and parents may take their camper to dinner after the mid-session concerts.
€ We offer pre-concert Café Caz lunches for families in our dining hall. Lunch is $12.00 and reservations are required, as space is limited – more information is in registration packet.

MEDICAL CARE
At all sessions, resident nurses administer first aid and dispense medicines provided by parents. Paramedic response time is approximately 5 minutes; major hospitals are in both Sebastopol and Santa Rosa, and a drop-in clinic in Guerneville is used for minor injury treatment.

CAMP STORE
Campers may purchase sundries, snacks and CazWear at the Camp Store. Caz is a cashless camp, so parents may set up a store account for their camper.

CONCERTS
Piano and Guitar concerts take place at 1:30pm. Major Ensemble concerts begin at 3:00PM. All concerts are free and open to the public.

ACCOMODATIONS
Campers sleep on beds under the stars on platform decks in supervised groups that are assigned by age. All camper have access to indoor showers, toilets and changing rooms. Every effort will be made to assign friends to the same group if requests (limited to 2) are noted on the application.

RECREATION
Basketball, volleyball, swimming, ping-pong, softball, and arts and crafts are all a part of the fun at Cazadero. A wide range of planned activities - from concerts, recitals and master classes to dances, campfires and skit nights - make camp evenings memorable and fun.

A DAY AT CAMP:

HOW TO REGISTER: Download Registration Form: N.B..Please remember to print on 8.5" x 14" paper. Payments and Refund Policy € All applications must include the completed application form, the $40 application fee, and one-half of total fees.  Of this, $100 becomes non-refundable once the applicant is accepted.  After 3/1/05, $300 is non-refundable; no fee will be refunded if cancellation requested after 5/1/05. € Credit card refunds will be issued less a 3% Merchant Fee. € Fees include a t-shirt, camp picture and DVD recording of the concert(s).   € Payment in full is required by 5/1/05.   A late fee of $50 will be added to all accounts which are past due.  Full payment must accompany any applications submitted after 5/1/05.

Cazadero’s program planning, hiring and related expenses are directly determined by the number of enrollments received in the early spring. Therefore, no refunds are made for early withdrawals, student cancellations or no-shows (regardless of accident, illness, or change of plans) unless:
€ There is an instrumentation issue.
€ Your enrollment is declined.
€ You apply for but are not awarded a scholarship and you cannot afford to attend.
There are no other exceptions. The $40 application fee is non-refundable. Any requests for tuition refunds must be made in writing. Commercial tuition insurance can be purchased for health related cancellations; visit www.insuretuition.com for details. We reserve the right to send campers home without refunds.

DISCOUNTS
The first family member in an initial session will be charged the full price. A 10% discount is offered for additional campers from the same family and/or for each additional session attended by the same camper, applicable to the lower-priced session after any deductions for a scholarship are made. No other discounts apply.

SCHOLARSHIPS: Download Scholarship Application:

Cazadero is committed to providing financial aid, where needed, for qualified, talented young musicians from diverse backgrounds. We are also committed to providing awards for deserving talented students to attend camp. As Cazadero is a private, non-profit institution, scholarships are awarded from funds donated for that purpose. Awards are based on the following criteria, at Cazadero’s discretion:
€ Accomplishment of the student
€ Financial need of the student
€ Instrumentation needs
Generally, maximum awards granted are one-half (50%) of total tuition. In rare circumstances, a larger award may be granted to students with exceptional financial need. Some financial commitment is required of every family. Please see scholarship application materials for further details. There is no guarantee that a scholarship will be awarded. Scholarship tuition deposit will be returned if applicant is unable to attend due to lack of scholarship funds.

How to apply for a scholarship:
€ Complete the camper application form.
€ Check box to request scholarship application to be sent to you.
€ Enclose a $40 non-refundable application fee and $100 tuition deposit.

You will be asked to :
€ Complete scholarship application.
€ Submit an audition tape.
€ Submit copies of their parent or guardian’s tax return information.

MEDICAL FORMS
€ Parents must confirm a physical examination within the last 24 months. A confidential medical history and release form, a copy of your current medical insurance card and a camper liability waiver must be received by 5/1/05.
€ Doctor’s forms are due one month prior to the session start date. Late forms may result in forfeiture of reservation.
If your child has a special health condition, or you have other questions, please contact us. Acceptance to camp may be denied because Cazadero cannot accommodate some medical and pre-existing conditions.

WAITLIST
If a camper is wait listed and a spot does not become available or you advise us in writing that you wish be removed from the list, we will refund your deposit, minus the $40 registration fee.

BUSES TO CAMP
€ Bus reservations must be made and $30.00 prepaid for the one-way trip to camp with your application.
€ Buses leave from our Berkeley office at 9:00AM on the first day of each session. No bus will be available for the post-camp return.

Cazadero Performing Arts Camp leases its facility from the City of Berkeley. We offer priority registration to Berkeley residents as per our partnership with the City. Application materials are mailed to Berkeley addresses in advance of our other mail lists.