Rudolf Haken

Professor of Electric Strings and Viola, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

ILLINOIS SUMMER YOUTH MUSIC - ISYM ELECTRIC STRINGS CAMP
JULY 14-20, 2024
for high school and middle school students
directed by Rudolf Haken
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

https://music.illinois.edu/engagement/isym/programs/electric-strings/

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is the ideal venue for studying electric violin, viola, cello, and upright bass, being the world’s only university or conservatory to offer degrees in electric strings. (We offer these at the Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral level and tour internationally as the University of Illinois Electric Strings Ensemble.) This includes an electric orchestra; small rock, jazz, folk and classical ensembles; and intensive individual instruction. Students will learn composing and arranging for electric instruments, effects processing, recording, looping, improvisation, bowing and fingering techniques specific to electric instruments, and numerous other aspects of this exciting, emerging musical genre.

ISYM Electric Strings

July 14 – 20, 2024

ISYM Electric Strings Camp provides a week of serious study of electric violin, viola, cello, and upright bass in a great variety of styles in a community of highly enthusiastic advocates for this emerging art form. Students study electric ensemble playing, effects and loopers, recording techniques, improvisation, stage presence, career building, composition, arranging, and notation.

Eligibility

  • For students completing grades 5-12.

  • For all middle and high school students with a background in string playing who wish to acquire skills in the field of electric strings.

Typical Daily Schedule

8:15 – 9:15 am: Ensemble Rehearsal
9:30 – 10:30 am: Ensemble Rehearsal
10:45 – 11:45 am: Individual Lessons
12:00 – 1:00 pm: Lunch
1:15 – 2:15 pm: Individual Lessons
2:30 – 4:45 pm: Classes (Looping, Effects, Arranging, Recording, etc.)
5:15 pm: Dinner and Evening Activities
10:30 pm: Lights out

Website / application Materials

https://music.illinois.edu/engagement/isym/programs/electric-strings/ (Applications open December 1st 2023)

Tuition:

  • Resident – $800 (tuition, room and board)

  • Commuter – $550 (tuition and lunch only)

Frequently asked questions

I.  Where will the camp take place? Ensembles and classes will meet at the world-renowned Krannert Center for the Performing Arts (KCPA) and the University of Illinois Music Building in Urbana, Illinois (125 miles south of Chicago), on the campus of one of the nation’s great universities with an enrollment of over 56,000 students. Dormitories are a short walk from KCPA and the Music Building. Meals from a great variety of culinary traditions are served in the Illinois Street Residence Hall Cafeteria (largest campus cafeteria in the US).   

II. What is the age range for the camp? The camp is open to middle school and high school students (approximately age 11-18).

III. What is the cost of the camp? Cost is $550.00 for commuters (tuition and lunch only), and $800.00 for residents (tuition, room and three meals per day).

IV.  If I don’t own an electric instrument, can I rent one for use at the camp? Thanks to a generous donation from NS Design, a limited number of instruments will be available to participants who do not have their own. Please email rlhaken@illinois.edu if you need an instrument. Also check with your high school or middle school to see if it has electric instruments available for you to use.

V.  What styles of music will be taught at the camp? As in the college degree program, we will cover a great variety of musical styles. Our college electric strings students perform music in rock, jazz, classical, hip-hop, Carnatic, anime, EDM, and other styles, and we will offer a similar range of styles at ISYM. In the survey below you will have the opportunity to let us know about particular kinds of music you’d like to study.

VI.  When will registration open for this camp? Registration will open December 1st, 2023. Registration instructions will be emailed to everyone who fills out the form below.