The Summer Youth Music School at UNH is an amazing experience for aspiring young musicians and one of New England’s long-running music camps. At both the Junior and Senior sessions, students perform in a variety of ensembles—concert bands, choruses, orchestras, and jazz bands—while receiving top-notch instruction in masterclasses and group lessons from outstanding teachers and freelance artists. Private lessons, small ensembles, elective courses, evening activities, and other opportunities designed to stimulate the growth of each student's passion and musical development are available to students at all levels. High school aged student seeking a more immersive experience can apply for the tuition-free Chamber Music Intensive session in addition to their enrollment in the Senior session.
SYMS campers concentrate on a primary instrument or voice part and choose electives to broaden their experience. They associate with talented young musicians who share their excitement about music, and they study with caring and encouraging teachers.
Students and faculty members give a variety of evening recitals throughout the sessions, and the Junior and Senior sessions conclude with final concerts, open to the public. All SYMS campers are fully supported by a team of camp counselors carefully selected from the UNH Music Department, led by a professional staff of experienced educators.
Detailed descriptions of each session are available below. Please be sure to also visit the extensive Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section at the bottom of this page.
Come be inspired at one of our SYMS sessions!
July 18-22, 2026
For students who have completed grades 6, 7, and 8
Cost: Overnight - $599 / Commuter - $399
The Junior SYMS schedule has 5 periods per day, organized in a structure that mimics the familiar school setting. At Junior SYMS, these 5 periods are typically filled with the following activities:
Large ensemble (1st rehearsal)
Elective course
Group masterclass
Musicianship course
Large ensemble (2nd rehearsal)
Click the box below to learn more about the Junior camp.
Primary and Secondary Instruments:
Upon registration, all SYMS campers will declare one instrument or voice as their primary area of study. This primary instrument/voice will determine which masterclass and which large ensemble they will participate in. Campers perform an informal and friendly audition on their primary instrument/voice during the first day of camp and are placed in their various large ensembles accordingly.
Students are also welcome to perform an audition on their secondary instrument. However, their masterclass and large ensemble will be determined by their primary instrument choice.
Audition Materials for Junior SYMS:
- Voice: Students should prepare a song of their choosing (classical, folk, popular song) that demonstrated their range and strengths. Students will also be asked to sight read and to sing some vocal technique exercises under the guidance of the vocal faculty in the audition room.
- Strings
- Woodwinds and Brass
- Percussion
- Piano
Piano and Guitar:
Students for whom piano and guitar are primary instruments will have only one large ensemble rehearsal a day. They can sing in choir or play in the band or orchestra on an appropriate secondary instrument. During the other large ensemble rehearsal period, piano and guitar students will have small ensemble reherasals on their primary instruments (piano or guitar).
Large Ensembles:
Junior SYMS typically runs two concert bands, one choir, and one string orchestra, depending on the overall camp enrollments. Each ensemble rehearses twice a day under the direction of the SYMS faculty who are all experienced music educators. Pianists and guitarists will participate in one large ensemble rehearsal per day. (See section on Piano and Guitar.)
Jazz Studies:
Junior SYMS offers multiple ensembles focused on instrumental jazz, including two jazz bands and a jazz “lab” (laboratory) band. These courses are offered during the elective schedule block. The two jazz bands require an audition and students can audition on either their primary or secondary instruments.
Musicianship Courses:
All Junior SYMS campers take a course in ‘musicianship’ that assist campers in developing the basic skills fundamental to all musicians—the ability to read notation, hear it inside our heads, and execute it faithfully in sound. There are three levels of this course: beginning, intermediate and advanced, and students are allowed to select the level they believe best suits them.
Electives:
Junior SYMS offers a wide variety of electives that students can choose from, including jazz bands and jazz labs, musical theater, beginning instrument lessons (bassoon, horn, trumpet, violin, piano, ukulele, etc.), and others classes offered on a rotating basis.
Private Lessons:
While private lessons are not included in the basic tuition for camp, students can choose to take one private lesson on either their primary or secondary instrument/voice. There is a fee of $25 for this lesson. Please note that students are limited to only one private lesson during camp.
Before June 1st, please add the lesson to your shopping cart when first enrolling in SYMS. If your enrollment is already completed, a lesson may be added using the following link: Enroll/Private Lesson Jr. SYMS (closes on July 10). Please do not sign up for a lesson using this link if you already did so during enrollment.
Evening Activities:
Each evening features special musical and social activities for students, ranging from faculty and counselor recitals to movie and game nights, honors student recitals, and more. Please note that evening activities are for overnight campers only.
Final Performances:
The final performances for Junior SYMS are held on the evening of the final day of camp. The specific schedule of performances will be made available to registered campers when final information packets are emailed. These performances are open to the public, free of charge, and will be live streamed on the UNH Music Department’s YouTube Channel. Due to the expenses and complications of copyrights, duplication, and distribution, we are not able to offer recordings of SYMS concerts for purchase. Similarly, the livestreamed performances will not remain on YouTube for later viewing.
For concert attire at Jr. SYMS, campers should plan to wear their SYMS T-shirts and light colored (khaki) pants or shorts.
See the "Registering and Paying for SYMS" and "FAQ" sections below for more information.
July 23-24, 2026
For students who have completed grades 9, 10, 11, and 12.
Cost: Free of charge for those who qualify (please see below)
The Chamber Music Intensive (CMI) session of Summer Youth Music School is designed for students seeking an immersive experience making music with other committed students while being coached by some of the best professional musicians in northern New England. All students are welcomed to apply, including vocalists, woodwinds, brass, percussion, strings, piano, and instrumental jazz musicians. A complete application must be submitted by June 1st.
The SYMS CMI session is held immediately preceding the Senior SYMS session. Because the ensembles formed during the Chamber Music Intensive session will continue to rehearse together during the Senior SYMS camp that follows (July 19-27), CMI students are required to pay for and attend the Senior SYMS session. However, the dates of July 23 and 24 are free of charge for those who qualify!
chamber music Intensive audition requirements & recording guide
Chamber Music Intensive Application and Audition Video Submission
July 25-August 2, 2026
For students who have completed grades 9, 10, 11, and 12.
Cost: Overnight - $949/ Commuter - $749
The Senior SYMS Schedule has 5 periods per day, organized in a structure that mimics the familiar school setting. A typical schedule for a Senior SYMS campers is as follows:
Group masterclass on primary instrument/voice
Large ensemble
Elective course or additional ensemble
Elective course or additional ensemble
Elective course
Click the box below to learn more about the Senior camp.
Primary and Secondary Instruments – Auditions:
Upon registration, all SYMS campers will declare one instrument/voice as their primary area of study. This primary instrument/voice will determine which masterclass and which large ensemble they will participate in. Campers perform an informal and friendly audition on their primary instrument/voice during the first day of camp and are placed in their various large ensembles on that instrument.
Students are also welcome to perform an audition on their secondary instrument. However, their masterclass and at least one large ensemble placement will be determined by their primary instrument choice.
Please note that Senior SYMS campers interested in an additional, intensive camp experience can submit a video audition by June 1st for the Chamber Music Intensive session. See the above section for more information.
Audition Materials for Senior SYMS:
- Voice
Students should prepare a song of their choosing (classical, folk, popular song) that demonstrated their range and strengths. Students will also be asked to sight read and to sing some vocal technique exercises under the guidance of the vocal faculty in the audition room. If you are interested in jazz choir or musical theater, please have an appropriate song prepared, in addition to your main voice audition. - Strings
- Flute
- Clarinet
- Oboe
- Bassoon
- Saxophone
- Trumpet
- Trombone
- Horn
- Euphonium
- Tuba
- Percussion
- Guitar
- Piano
Jazz Etudes
Drum Set Information
Piano and Guitar:
At Senior SYMS, students for whom piano and guitar are primary instruments will have specialized classes offered to them in place of being required to participate in a large ensemble. They are able to fill the rest of their day with instrument-specific and general elective courses, or could perform as part of the choir (as vocalists), in the orchestra (on an orchestral instrument), or in jazz ensembles (on piano, guitar, or other jazz instruments.) Some of these ensembles require an audition.
Large Ensembles:
Senior SYMS typically runs at least two concert bands, a chamber choir, a larger mixed choir, string orchestra, full symphonic orchestra, and two jazz bands. Each ensemble rehearses one period each day, led by UNH faculty ensemble directors. Each ensemble typically presents a 20-30 minute program at the conclusion of the camp.
Jazz Studies:
Senior SYMS offers multiple ensembles and classes focused on jazz, including two jazz bands, courses on improvisation, and an a cappella/jazz choir. Many of these courses are offered during multiple class periods allowing for more flexibility in scheduling. The jazz bands and choir require an audition and students can audition on either their primary or secondary instruments.
Electives:
Senior SYMS offers a huge variety of electives that students can choose from, including jazz bands and combos, musical theater, jazz choir/a cappella, classes in beginning instruments, musicianship/music theory, improvisation, composition, songwriting, music appreciation, and more!
Private Lessons:
While private lessons are not included in the basic tuition for camp, students can choose to take one private lesson on either their primary or secondary instrument/voice. There is a fee of $25 for this lesson. Please note that students are limited to only one private lesson during camp.
Before June 1st, please add the lesson to your shopping cart when first enrolling in SYMS. If your enrollment is already completed, a lesson may be added using the following links: Enroll/Private Lesson Sr. SYMS (closes on July 17th). Please do not sign up for a lesson using this link if you already did so during enrollment.
Evening Activities:
Each evening features special musical and social activities for students, ranging from faculty and counselor recitals to movie and game nights, honors student recitals, and more. Please note that evening activities are for overnight campers only.
Final Performances:
The final performances for Senior SYMS are held during the final 3 days of camp.
Friday evening = Chamber Music Intensive ensembles and Musical Theater
Saturday evening = Jazz Night (instrumental jazz ensembles, jazz choir)
Sunday (all day) = Piano and guitar recitals; concert bands, choirs, and orchestra.
For concert attire at Sr. SYMS, campers have two options. Option 1: Dress Pants/Dress Shirt (Ties are optional), Option 2: Appropriate length dress or skirt.
All performance will be live streamed on the UNH Department of Music YouTube channel and will be available a few minutes before the program starts.
The specific schedule of performances will be made available to registered campers when final information packets are emailed. These performances are open to the public, free of charge, and will be live streamed on the UNH Music Department’s YouTube channel. Due to the expenses and complications of copyrights, duplication, and distribution, we are not able to offer recordings of SYMS concerts for purchase. Similarly, the livestreamed performances will not remain on YouTube for later viewing.
Registering and Paying for SYMS
Online Registration Instructions: For the best outcome, please review the instructions before enrolling. Registration for SYMS is completed via the UNH Youth Programs website.
- We also recommend families be familiar with all other information on the Youth Programs website, particularly the Family Guide.
- SYMS offers a deposit option (25% of the program fee) for those who enroll before May 1, 2026. Campers enrolling after May 1, 2026, will be required to make full payment online at the time of enrollment.
- Any outstanding balances for SYMS are due by May 8, 2026.
- The final date for enrolling in SYMS is June 1, 2026.
- A link to our CampDoc registration system will be emailed to the preferred email on the account approximately one week following the initial enrollment. For those enrolled in time, all CampDoc registration questions should be completed by April 15, 2026, although completion before that date is preferred. Anyone enrolling after April 15 should complete the registration questions as soon as possible after receiving the link.
- Please submit any Support Needs or Accommodation Requests as soon as possible. Please see the FAQs below.
Please also be aware of our Summer Youth Program Payment & Refund Procedures. (Please note that some of the payment due dates on this Summer Youth Program website differ from the dates given above. The above SYMS information is correct for our program.)
Full information can be found on the UNH Youth Program Online Registration Instructions.
Note: Students who may be receiving outside scholarships to help with SYMS tuition cost should send the check, made payable to UNH (with SYMS and student name in the memo) to:
Lyndsay Boysen
Department of Music
Paul Creative Arts Center
30 Academic Way
Durham, NH 03824
Registration for SYMS 2026 opens on February 12!
FAQ
Junior and Senior SYMS Rules and Regulations will be posted here.
Please read the UNH Youth Program Code of Conduct
No audition is required to be accepted into either Junior SYMS or Senior SYMS. Short auditions are held the first full day of each program for placement in groups. This audition information is posted online.
The Chamber Music Intensive Session does require submission of a video audition in advance of enrollment in that session. Please see the section above on the CMI session to learn about those auditions.
Families are advised to read through the instructions before heading to the registration page. Please note that following the initial registration, you will receive a link to CampDoc, where you will provide, review, or modify important information such as roommate requests and student health and safety information.
SYMS students eat their meals at Holloway Commons, a UNH dining hall. If your child has food allergies or other nutrition concerns, please review the Food Allergies & Nutrition information.
Medication Administration: If your child is bringing any prescription or over the counter medications with them to camp, make any updates to their CampDoc account up to three weeks prior to the camp start date. Within three weeks prior, if there are significant medication/health updates, please contact the UNH summer camp nurse or SYMS program director.
Even if a parent/guardian agreed to the Authorization to Administer Medications in CampDoc, a completed and signed paper form must be brought with the student to camp check in: Auth to Administer Medications
If your child is bringing an Epi-Pen and/or Asthma Inhaler with them to SYMS, a permission form with healthcare provider signature is required per NH State Law. The completed form can be downloaded from the student’s CampDoc account. The completed and signed form should be uploaded into the student’s CampDoc account at least three weeks prior to the program start date. Or, a signed form can be brought with the student on camp check-in day, although upload into CampDoc is the preferred approach. Epi-Pen/Inhaler Form
If you have additional support needs, please complete the Support Needs Request Form
The opportunity to provide a roommate request up to three weeks prior to the session start date is part of the CampDoc registration questions. Please review additional roommate information in CampDoc.
As of February 12th, there are no scholarships available directly from SYMS. However, many students find financial help through their schools, churches, civic organizations or downtown businesses.
Members of the UNH Youth Band and Youth Orchestra programs should contact their directors about discounts for participation in those ensembles.
Students who live and attend school in the greater Manchester area (Manchester, Bedford, Hooksett, Goffstown, Merrimack, Amherst, Derry, Londonderry, Auburn, Candia, and Litchfield) should contact their school music teacher regarding Smyth Trust scholarships. If you do not have a music teacher in your school, please work through an administrator or guidance counselor. School personnel may contact SYMS directly with any questions.
SYMS faculty and staff members are UNH professors, high school and middle school music educators, and prominent UNH alumni from around the country. Dormitory counselors are current, older UNH students. They are led by two head counselors and a Dean of Campers who are music educators and have been with SYMS for many years.
One optional private lesson may be taken at an extra cost of $25. Teachers and students arrange lesson times on the first day of classes. Lessons are taught during the student’s free time.
Before June 1st, please add the lesson to your shopping cart when first registering for SYMS.
If your registration is already completed, a lesson may be added using the following links. Please do not enroll in a lesson using these links if you already did so upon enrollment.
Enroll/Private Lesson Jr. SYMS (closes on July 10)
Enroll/Private Lesson Sr. SYMS (closes on July 17)
Convocation is a full camp meeting each day which all students must attend. Important information and announcements are made at these meetings. The evening convocation at the beginning of SYMS is when students receive group assignments and sign up for classes. All other convocations are in the morning before rehearsals and classes begin.
Housing for residential students will be in the UNH dormitories with separate dorms for males and females, as well as a gender-inclusive option. The rooms are doubles only (no triples or quads), and students may choose a roommate if they wish. A roommate choice will only be guaranteed if the other student sends us a reciprocal request. If students do not have a roommate choice, they are paired by age. All roommate requests are completed through CampDoc. You will be sent a link to CampDoc after completing the initial registration for SYMS
There will be adequate counselors—one counselor per eight students at Jr. SYMS and one counselor per ten students at Sr. SYMS. Counselors are UNH students, led by two head counselors and a Dean of Campers who are older and have been with SYMS for many years. Counselors live on the floors with the students and help them adjust to being away from home, organize activities during free time, etc. Counselors do a bed check each night before lights out.
All SYMS campers, faculty, and staff eat together in Holloway Commons. SYMS tuition provides resident campers with three meals a day and commuter students with lunch. Holloway Commons prepares a wide variety of foods for every meal to address different dietary needs.
If your child has food allergies or other nutrition concerns, please review the Food Allergies & Nutrition information. This includes contact information for UNH’s Registered Dietician, who is available to answer family concerns. If needed, please contact the dietician at least two weeks prior to the session start date.
Casual, school-appropriate summer wear is fine for daily use, including shorts and sandals. Footwear must be worn at all times. Students should bring instruments and music as well as a folding music stand. Linens, towels and blankets are not provided at the dormitory so students will need to bring their own. Beds are long twin size.
For concert attire at Jr. SYMS, campers should plan to wear their SYMS T-shirts and light colored (khaki) pants or shorts.
For concert attire at Sr. SYMS, campers have two options. Option 1: Dress Pants/Dress Shirt (Ties are optional), Option 2: Appropriate length dress or skirt.
Students may wish to bring a bit of spending money as they are allowed to visit the immediate downtown area or to pick up snacks or buy a UNH memento. There are also vending machines on campus and cash is needed to utilize the laundry facilities in the dormitories.
Students are welcome to bring cell phones as there is no land line phone service in the dormitory rooms during the summer. The camp administrators and counselors may use the Remind app to communicate important information during camp. However, cell phones are not required. Cell phones must be turned off during all classes and programs. Guest wi-fi is available in the dormitory rooms if you wish to bring a laptop computer.
Yes, mail may be received and should be addressed to: (student's name), (room #), SYMS, Dept. of Music-PCAC, 30 Academic Way, Durham NH 03824. Mail will be distributed to students daily. Please be sure to plan adequate time for mail to arrive before the final day of camp as late arriving packages cannot be returned to you.
Required waivers are completed as part of the online registration process. However, there may be additional forms required depending on the student’s individual needs. Review the Youth Programs website's Information for Families page for more information.
Program Assistant
lyndsay.boysen@unh.edu
Summer Youth Music School
Clark Terry UNH Jazz Festival
Department(s):
Music
