An immersive performing arts experience at the Osher School of Music!

Registration for 2025 summer camps will open on Saturday, February 1, 2025
and remains open through the spring.
Waiting lists are kept.

Register for Camp


Before you register for a camp, a parent/guardian must create an account, then additional persons can be added to that account: alternate adults or campers. Parents/guardians should be doing the registration process, not campers

Parents /guardians, please go to our Ultracamp camp management site where you can register one or more campers. Login if you already have an account, or create a new account in the primary parent/guardian’s name.

Each family needs only one account, created by a parent/guardian, and with that account can register more than one camper, or register a camper for more than one camp. Families that have an account already will continue to use the current account. 

A $100 deposit will be required once your registration for theatre or primary musical instrument is confirmed. Registration stays open until the camp begins and waiting lists are kept and open, filled in order automatically. 

About Our Music and Theatre Camps

Sunday, June 15 to Friday, June 20, 2025
Camp Director, Wil Kilroy
2025 Camp Fee: $590

This six-day resident camp gives students a basic understanding of performance concepts and introduces them to the skills needed to create a stage production: voice, improvisation, dance, scene study, character development, and other acting techniques. Students engage in performance exercises that will not only enhance acting talent, but also assist in developing imagination, confidence, self-awareness, and communication skills. In addition to gaining theatre skills, team work and collaboration are emphasized in a final public performance. All participants will be housed in a supervised residence hall on the University of Southern Maine’s Gorham campus.

Register or Login Here Registration opens Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 at 9 a.m. and remains open until all spaces are filled. A waiting list will be kept. Register early.

https://www.ultracamp.com/clientlogin.aspx?idCamp=997&campCode=8rb

Monday, June 23 to Friday, June 27, 2025
Camp Director, Melissa Shabo
2025 Camp Fee: $380

This five-day commuter camp offers young instrumentalists a chance to sharpen their musical reading ability, instrumental skills, and concert band performance. Camp will provide daily concert band experience, jazz, instrument sectionals, ensemble classes, guest presentations, non-musical recreational activities, and choral group experience. Applicants must have played their instruments for at least one school year.

Register or Login Here Registration opens Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 at 9 a.m. and remains open until all spaces are filled. A waiting list will be kept. Register early.

Sunday, July 20 to Friday, July 25, 2025
Camp Director, Melissa Shabo; Chorus, Dr. Kyle Nielsen
2025 Camp Fee: $615

This six-day residential camp offers singers an immersive experience in the world of choral music. Under the direction of Osher School of Music faculty and local music educators, students will sing in mixed choirs, balanced-voice choirs, and take a variety of classes ranging from music literacy to All-State preparation and musical theatre! Academy members will enjoy free concerts performed by local professional musicians as well as Osher School of Music students, providing a glimpse at a future as a member of the University of Southern Maine choral program.

Register or Login Here Registration opens Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 at 9 a.m. and remains open until all spaces are filled. A waiting list will be kept. Register early.

Saturday, July 12 to Saturday, July 19, 2025
Camp Director, Melissa Shabo; Concert Band, Dr. Will Kinne; Jazz Band, TBD
2025 Camp Fee: $790

This exciting, yet demanding, eight-day program gives high school musicians the opportunity for musical development through group and individualized instruction provided by qualified staff and professional musicians. All academy members will participate in concert band, instrument sectionals, and small ensembles. Students may also audition for jazz band. Academy members will enjoy free concerts performed by local musicians and daily recreational activities.

Register or Login Here Registration opens Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 at 9 a.m. and remains open until all spaces are filled. A waiting list will be kept. Register early.

https://www.ultracamp.com/clientlogin.aspx?idCamp=997&campCode=8rb

Sunday, July 27 to Saturday, August 2, 2025
Camp Director, Melissa Shabo; Concert Band, Caitlin Ramsey
2025 Camp Fee: $715

This seven-day program gives middle school-age instrumental musicians the opportunity for musical growth and development. All academy members will participate in concert band, chorus, instrument sectionals, and small ensembles daily. Students may also audition for jazz band. Academy members will also enjoy free concerts performed by local professional musicians and daily recreational activities.

Register or Login Here Registration opens Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 at 9 a.m. and remains open until all spaces are filled. A waiting list will be kept. Register early.

https://www.ultracamp.com/clientlogin.aspx?idCamp=997&campCode=8rb

Profile Picture for Caitlin Ramsey

Caitlin Ramsey

Caitlin Ramsey has been the Co-Director of Bands at Cape Elizabeth Middle School since 2010. For the past twenty-one years, she has been an active adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor throughout New England and currently serves as the Eastern Division Representative on the National Council of Band Education. In 2009, Mrs. Ramsey was awarded a Maine Arts Teaching Fellowship and in 2020, Ms. Ramsey was named the Maine Music Educators Association’s Music Educator of the Year. Under Ms. Ramsey’s direction, CEMS bands have performed at the Maine Music Educators Association Conference. 

Ms. Ramsey holds undergraduate degrees in horn performance and music education from Miami University as well as a Masters of Music from Kent State University. Mrs. Ramsey has attended the New England Conservatory of Music conducting symposium, studying with Frank Battisti and Charles Peltz and the University of Southern Maine conducting workshop, studying with Eugene Migliaro Corporon and Dr. Jackie Townsend. Ms. Ramsey serves as the MMEA District I Secretary and as the coordinator of the D1 7/8 Honors Festival and the D1 6th Grade Honors Festival. She lives in Portland, Maine with her husband Tim who is a high school band director.

Meet Our Camp Directors

Profile picture of Melissa Shabo

Missy Shabo

Missy Shabo has worked as a middle school band director for the past 17 years and joined the Cape Elizabeth Middle School band program as Co-Director of Bands in 2022. Prior to coming to Cape Elizabeth, Ms. Shabo was the Director of Bands at Scarborough Middle School. Ms. Shabo, a saxophonist, holds an undergraduate degree in Music Education and a Masters in Music Education from the University of Southern Maine. Additionally, in 2022, she earned her Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership from USM.  In 2024, Ms. Shabo was named the Maine Music Educators Association Middle School Music Educator of the Year. 

Since 2015, Ms. Shabo has been the camp director of the Southern Maine Junior Music Academy, Senior Music Academy, and the Youth Band Day Camp at USM. She is also the band director of the USM Youth Band Day Camp. Additionally, she currently serves as the Maine Music Education Association District I Treasurer and the band manager for the MMEA D1 7/8 Honors Festival. Ms. Shabo is a member of MMEA and the National Band Association.

Frequently Asked Questions

That is different for each camp and it’s listed in each of the “Parent/Camper Letters.” They will be issued about a month before the start of camp for each of the camps.

The overnight camps in 2025 will be housed in Upton Hastings Hall, two campers to a room. Roommates will be chosen first based off of the Roommate Request Form. Students who do not have a roommate preference will be paired with students of the same gender and similar age. We do our best to honor roommate requests, but cannot guarantee that all will be fulfilled.

Check-in for all overnight camps will take place in Upton-Hastings Hall.

Check-in for Day Camp will take place on the front steps of Corthell Hall.

Yes, for food sensitivity, on the first day of each overnight camp, campers are welcome to meet the kitchen staff before the first meal to find out how to navigate the food choices.

In the case of severe food allergies, be prepared to provide medical documentation so our dining hall personnel can be prepared to meet your needs. Once received, dining hall personnel will be able to discuss your camper’s individual needs and discuss a plan. Parents may request a meeting with the campus dietician or have a tour of the dining hall in advance if there are any concerns. Please contact us early to make these arrangements.

If you have questions about disability access or need to request disability accommodations (e.g. sign language interpreters, materials in electronic format, etc.), please contact the Disability Service Center, 207-780-4706, or by email, dsc-usm@maine.edu, TTY 207-780-4395. Requests should be made as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for the accommodation process.

We have a head counselor who will be willing to carry out the parents’ instructions regarding administration of medications, and you will have an opportunity at check-in to speak privately with the head counselor regarding any medical issues. We rely on completed parental consent forms to let us know in advance of any particular health concerns.

In Ultracamp, Theatre Academy will be confirmed automatically if there is an opening. If Theatre Academy is filled, you must sign up for the waiting list in order to be considered for the next open position.

For the music camps, Ultracamp will confirm your registration immediately, but you must still sign up for an available instrument to be fully confirmed. Ultracamp is not able to handle that distinction. And if any instrument is already marked “waiting list only,” you must sign up for that waiting list in order to be considered for any positions in that instrument that may open up later. Please do not sign up for a different instrument, but send an email with any questions or difficulties you are having.

Do not make any payments if you are on a waiting list. You will automatically be placed into a position if a spot opens up, and an email will be sent to you indicating your new balance due.

Right after registration, participants in Music Academy and Junior Music Academy will perform an audition for seating assignments and best experience, but not for acceptance into the program. Students will be asked to play a excerpt of a solo/piece, and may be asked to play a scale or sight-reading. Students in the Music Academy may audition for the Student Solo Recital; please bring piano accompaniment if interested.

There are no auditions for Theatre Academy or Youth Band Day Camp.

Percussionists should bring their own drum sticks and mallets. The University provides everything else they will need for rehearsals and performance.

Send to:
Camper’s Name (add SMYBDC, SMTA, SoMMA, SMCMA, or SMJMA)
c/o Osher School of Music
USM Summer Youth Music and Theatre Camps
37 College Avenue
Gorham, ME 04038.

Please have payments and forms completed a month prior to the camp start date. This will give our camp staff time to know who will be attending camp. Additionally, we need to know dietary restrictions and medical needs in advance. All forms are available for you to complete in Ultracamp.

Yes, campers can bring iPhones, but they will be expected to use them appropriately. They can not use them during rehearsals, and should primarily use them for contact with family, and as alarm clocks and metronomes for practicing. They can be used in a limited way to stay in touch with friends, but campers should primarily be socializing with their new friends face-to-face at camp. Any kind of inappropriate communication while at camp, such as cyberbullying, is cause for immediate dismissal.

The USM Summer Youth Music and Theatre camps are very popular. Some sections fill on the first day and potential campers are placed on a waiting list. But some of them don’t stay there and make other plans. Those who respond quickly and take a space on the roster and then change their plans are having an effect on the planning of others, and for most instruments, we may not be able to fill that spot if you cancel, yet we have already incurred expenses. We must do all that we can to assure that those on the roster are fully intending to attend camp, and that no additional resources are spent on cancellations. Likewise, once a camper is at camp, the full registration fee will not be refunded. We will have to pay our expenses whether your camper stays or not.

Please contact Pre-College Coordinator:
Noah Hall
(207) 780-5003
usm.music.youth@maine.edu

https://www.ultracamp.com/clientlogin.aspx?idCamp=997&campCode=8rb

Summer Camp Scholarship Information

While the University does not offer scholarships for our summer camps, we are most grateful for the many middle and high school music booster clubs that do provide them. Supporting your local booster clubs throughout the year can help many more students come to a variety of summer camps. Inquire with your local boosters to see what might be available for your camper. Thank you for supporting your local school’s music and arts boosters clubs as they have already helped many students attend summer camps.

Also, check out the following scholarship opportunities.

Scholarship Information

The Laureen Swanson Music for Youth Fund awards scholarships to youth up to age 22 to achieve their musical dreams. 

Youth who live in the following towns are eligible to apply.

Brunswick, Topsham, Harpswell, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Bath, West Bath, Phippsburg, Freeport, Durham, and Pownal.

Find applications on our website https://www.laureenswansonmusicforyouthfoundation.org

Applications are reviewed on the last Thursday of each month.

Camp scholarships are available to both 4-H & non-4-H youth. If you would like to apply for financial assistance to a summer camp (either a 4-H camp or non-4-H camp) you must return the application by Friday, April 5th, 2024!

Please email applications to allison.pollock@maine.edu. You may also mail applications or drop off at UMaine Cooperative Extension, 75 Clearwater Drive, Suite 104, Falmouth, Maine 04105.

If you need extra paper copies of the campership application mailed to you, contact the office at 207.781.6099 or via e-mail allison.pollock@maine.edu. Campership amounts depend on the cost of the camp to which you are applying, but can range from $50 to $150. Scholarships are sponsored by the Cumberland County Leaders Association, Barbara & Bob Tibbetts Campership Fund, Tractor Supply Company Paper Clover sales, and the Extension Homemakers.

The Maine 4-H Foundation has camp scholarships ranging from $100-$200 available for 4-H members to any one week of 4-H camp. Call the camps to ask for a scholarship. Scholarships are based on need and first come, first serve. https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/camps/.

Camperships are only valid for the year in which they are earned. Earning the campership and then letting us know you cannot use it (before we pay for it) will not impact your chances of receiving any of our camperships in the future.

Campership Application 2024 (Word) | (PDF)

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call 207.781.6099 or email allison.pollock@maine.edu.

https://extension.umaine.edu/cumberland/4h/events/camperships/

The Quincy (Massachusetts) Band Boosters is accepting first come, first serve applications for a $300 scholarship for any QPS band/music student, incoming grades 8 – 12, for either Southern Maine Music Academy or Southern Maine Junior Music Academy. Find the information and application here: https://quincybandboosters.com/summer-camp-scholarship 2022 4-H

The Sean O’Blenis Memorial Scholarship was created to assist two students from York or Cumberland Counties to attend summer camp at USM, one for Junior Music Academy and one for Music Academy. Applicants should already be accepted to camp. To apply, please request an application from the donor at: seanoblenisscholarship@gmail.com.

  1. Be between 11 and 15 years old, as of April 30, 2022.
  2. Be a full-time Maine resident.
  3. Submit a completed application form (and all supporting documents) by April 30, 2022.
  4. Show a financial need for the scholarship; total family income may not exceed $100,000.

Have submitted an application to attend the camp and notified them that you are applying for a campership through our program.

Payment is made directly to the camp by the Maine Community Foundation once campers have been chosen by the selection committee and all paperwork has been submitted.

The Uncle Al Fund was founded in memory of a Sugarloaf area musician.  A scholarship from this fund could be awarded to one of our campers if they reside in Somerset or Franklin county in Maine. The Uncle Al Fund and Scholarship is an endowed, component fund of the Maine Community Foundation. More information and the application for a scholarship award can  be found at:https://www.Mainecf.org/find-a-scholarship/available-scholarships/aspirational-nontraditional-camp

For more information, contact:
Pre-College Coordinator, Noah Hall
usm.music.youth@maine.edu
207-780-5003