We are often asked about summer music camps. There are a ton of options out there. Many are quite expensive, frankly, and often far away. But luckily, we have two excellent (and less expensive) options right here in our “backyard”. Both are overnight camps. Both are available to middle and high schoolers. One is on the UMO campus, and the other is on the Colby College campus. Both run for a week in July.

The Maine Summer Youth Music Camp at the University of Maine, Orono. Pick this camp if you want a big, classic summer camp feel with the excitement of a large university campus and want a balanced mix of traditional social fun alongside various rehearsals. They have Jazz Ensemble, String Ensemble, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Musical Theatre, and Chorus. Tuition = $795 (2026 rate).

The Maine Jazz Camp at Colby College. Pick this camp if you want an immersive jazz experience in small ensembles directed by jazz artists from NYC. This camp is designed primarily for students on a jazz track who want to study with renowned professional jazz artists. Tuition = $1050 (2026 rate).