School of Music
Summer Camps
The School of Music hosts summer camps that give young musicians the chance to strengthen their skills, learn from experienced faculty, and connect with peers who share their passion. Each camp offers engaging instruction, rehearsals, and performances designed to inspire growth and creativity.
The Junior High School Band Camp offers young woodwind, brass, and percussion players the chance to grow as musicians while experiencing band in a fun, collaborative environment, outside of their usual school programs. Campers strengthen individual performance skills, rehearse in full ensembles, and connect with fellow musicians from across the region.
Camp Dates
Registration
Registration is now open and closes on May 18, 2026
Location
SHSU School of Music Building, 1751 Avenue I, Huntsville, TX 77340
What to expect
Auditions will take place on the first day of camp, immediately after check‑in. Each camper should arrive prepared with a 1–2 minute piece that showcases their strongest playing abilities. Auditions will also include major scales and the chromatic scale. Percussionists should be ready to perform a snare etude, a keyboard etude, snare rudiments, and scales on the keyboard.
The final evening of camp will feature a Grand Concert, where all bands will perform for family and friends. The camp officially concludes at the end of the concert.
For questions or additional information, please contact muscamps@shsu.edu
The Single Reed Institute is a unique opportunity for young clarinet and saxophone players with at least three years of playing experience to participate in music outside of their own school program. Students will have the opportunity to work with SHSU faculty members Patricia Card (clarinet) and Masahito Sugihara (saxophone). The Institute is designed to strengthen individual performance skills while giving campers the chance to interact with other young musicians both musically and socially.
Camp Dates
June 14 – June 17, 2026
Registration
Registration is now open and closes on June 1, 2026
Location
SHSU School of Music Building, 1751 Avenue I, Huntsville, TX 77340
What to expect
At the Single Reed Institute, students can expect a focused, immersive musical experience packed with hands‑on learning, collaboration, and performance. Each day begins with group warm‑ups and technique bootcamp sessions to build strong fundamentals, followed by masterclasses and chamber rehearsals that refine ensemble skills. Afternoons introduce theory and provide additional chamber coaching, while evenings offer individual practice time and fun social activities. Faculty recitals, audition opportunities, and a final performance give participants the chance to learn from experts and showcase their progress.
For questions or additional information, please contact muscamps@shsu.edu or Professor Patricia Card at 936.294.1383 or pcard@shsu.edu.
Join the Choral and Voice faculty of Sam Houston State University School of Music, along with master teachers from around the state, for a four-day camp of music making and fellowship! Get a leg up on the audition process, while having amazing experiences and making friends that will last a lifetime. SHSU's All-State Choir Camp is a great way to spend your summer!
Camp Dates
Registration
Registration is now open and closes on July 6, 2026
Location
SHSU School of Music Building, 1751 Avenue I, Huntsville, TX 77340
What to expect
Our camp experience is designed by our directors to be the most enjoyable and effective camp experience there is! Our camp faculty is comprised of some of the finest choral musicians in the Houston metro area. They will play an integral role in helping you develop as a musician and preparing you for the audition process. At SHSU you will learn all the LSC mixed and treble or tenor-bass music.
In addition, we will prepare you for what to expect during the audition process, including strategies for sight-reading and how to continue the learning process after camp. Of course, there will be an end of camp performance, but more importantly, we want you to leave campus with the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully move through the audition process. Choir Camp would not be complete without a fun-loving, engaging camp staff and fun activities while you are on campus, so come prepared to have fun, learn, and make friendships and lasting memories!
SHSU Faculty
Section Leaders
For questions or additional information, please contact muscamps@shsu.edu
Build friendships, develop skills, and get ahead of the audition process at All-State Choir Camp.
Build strong performance skills and create opportunities to connect musically and socially at the Single Reed Institute.
Grow as musicians while experiencing band in a fun, collaborative environment at Junior High Band Camp.
Summer Workshops
Each summer, the School of Music hosts professional development workshops designed for music educators. Led by expert faculty, these sessions provide fresh strategies, practical tools, and opportunities to connect with colleagues in the field.
Teaching the Middle School Band is a workshop designed to explore the essential elements of building and sustaining a successful middle school band program. Organized into two focused tracks, beginning pedagogy and strategies for developing advancing students, the workshop brings together accomplished teachers and musicians to address effective teaching practices, key pedagogical challenges, and methods for creating meaningful student success. We include opportunities for personal interaction with presenters and fellow participants, ensuring a collaborative and supportive learning environment. This workshop equips educators with strong, practical tools and the resources to use them confidently. Join us for an inspirational, informative, and highly applicable professional experience. Recent graduates are welcome!
Workshop Dates
June 1-4, 2026
Registration
Registration is now open and closes on June 1, 2026
Location
SHSU School of Music Building, 1751 Avenue I, Huntsville, TX 77340
For questions or additional information, please contact muscamps@shsu.edu.
The Art of Teaching Music is a workshop for band directors presented through a partnership between the Center for Music Education at Sam Houston State University and the Young Educator Seminars of Southern Methodist University. This comprehensive event brings together teachers, performers, and students to explore instrument pedagogy, ensemble rehearsal, advocacy, and musicianship. Participants can select sessions across all tracks, creating a personalized and meaningful learning experience. Designed to be intense, practical, and inspiring, the workshop benefits both new and veteran educators.
Workshop Dates
June 8-10, 2026
Registration
Registration is now open and closes on June 8, 2026
Location
Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas
For questions or additional information, please contact muscamps@shsu.edu.
The Art of Teaching Music is a workshop for band directors presented through a partnership between the Center for Music Education at Sam Houston State University and the Young Educator Seminars of Southern Methodist University. This comprehensive event brings together teachers, performers, and students to explore instrument pedagogy, ensemble rehearsal, advocacy, and musicianship. Participants can select sessions across all tracks, creating a personalized and meaningful learning experience. Designed to be intense, practical, and inspiring, the workshop benefits both new and veteran educators.
The "New Teacher" track is an ideal way to prepare for your first year to teach and to begin a successful career. It is also a terrific place to meet people in the profession and begin to develop a network of mentors and colleagues.
Workshop Dates
June 8-10, 2026
Registration
Registration is now open and closes on June 8, 2026
Location
Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas
For questions or additional information, please contact muscamps@shsu.edu
The SHSU Center for Music Education is excited to offer the String Pedagogy professional development workshop for public school orchestra directors. This workshop provides practical guidance for orchestra and string directors, including recruitment and retention, foundational setup, rehearsal techniques, and advanced ensemble development.
Workshop Dates
Registration
Registration is now open and closes on June 1, 2026
Location
The SHSU Woodlands Center (3380 College Park Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77384)
*Please note that this workshop is not held at our main Huntsville campus
For questions or additional information, please contact muscamps@shsu.edu or Professor Daniel Saenz at danielsaenz@shsu.edu.
The SHSU Choral Educators Professional Development Workshop allows secondary level choral educators the opportunity to explore a variety of topics relevant to music education. Throughout the day, veteran educators and SHSU faculty will share ideas on effective teaching in the choral music classroom. Sessions will focus on pedagogical topics relevant to both middle and high school levels. Nine (9) hours of CPE credit is available.
Workshop Dates
June 22, 2026
Registration
Registration is now open and closes on June 19, 2026
Location
The SHSU Woodlands Center (3380 College Park Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77384)
*Please note that this workshop is not held at our main Huntsville campus
Guest Presenters
For questions or additional information, please contact muscamps@shsu.edu or Associate Professor Dr. Sandy Perez at sxh080@shsu.edu.
Explore practical strategies for effective choral teaching and connect with fellow educators in the Choral Educators Workshop.
Develop essential strategies for recruitment, rehearsal, and ensemble growth in the String Pedagogy Workshop.
Discover the key components of creating and maintaining a strong middle school band program at Teaching the Middle School Band.