SUMMER EXTRAVAGANZA

Monday, June 23–Friday, June 27, 2025

Registration is now open for the new and expanded MYS Summer Extravaganza!

Join us for a vibrant and immersive weeklong day camp for orchestral musicians entering grades 2–HS grad.

Experience full rehearsals, sectionals, music history classes, and guest artist performances. The week culminates in an informal concert on Friday at 12:00 PM that is open to the public.

  • Location: Central High School, 275 Lexington Pkwy N, St. Paul

  • Schedule: 9:00 AM—3:00 PM Monday—Thursday; 9:00 AM–1:00 PM Friday

  • Tuition: $435 camp fee. Reduced fees are available—please contact us for scholarship information. Sibling discounts for families enrolling multiple students.

Summer String Orchestra

This ensemble is designed for advanced beginner/intermediate string musicians entering grades 2–9 (Suzuki Books 1–5). It is open to violin, viola, cello, and bass players. No audition is required for placement in the String Orchestra.

  • Director: Kelly DeMorett

  • Registration Deadline: Monday, June 16. String Orchestra enrollment is capped at 40 participants—early registration is encouraged.

Haydn Chamber Orchestra

This select ensemble is designed for advanced string, woodwind, brass, and percussion musicians at the Repertory Orchestra level or above. This ensemble will rehearse and perform selections of chamber orchestra pieces including Symphony No. 103 (“Drumroll”) by Franz Joseph Haydn. Due to the instrumentation of the chamber orchestra, a limited number of positions are available. A $100 non-refundable deposit will be due to hold the spot.

  • Director: Mark Mandarano

  • Priority registration is now open to students in all grades currently enrolled in MYS Repertory and Symphony Orchestras. A video recording is not required for Repertory and Symphony students.

  • General registration is now open for students not currently enrolled in MYS Repertory or Symphony Orchestras. Students will submit a brief video recording for placement in the Chamber Orchestra, to be reviewed in the order received. See below for video submission instructions.

Video Submission Instructions

  • Purpose: Students not currently in MYS Repertory or Symphony Orchestras will submit a brief video recording for placement in the Haydn Chamber Orchestra. This recording helps ensure participants have the necessary skill level to be successful playing the repertoire at camp. This is not a competitive audition and perfection is not expected. 

  • Timeline: Positions are filled in the order the registrations are received, so we encourage you to apply early and record as soon as you are comfortable with the required materials below. Videos are due within two weeks of submitting your camp registration; late submissions may be waitlisted.

  • Process: The recording will consist of two scales (except timpani) and a short excerpt. Download the materials for your instrument below. Email us a link to your video (shared file or unlisted YouTube video) within two weeks of your registration date. Technical instructions are available here.