Festivals & Camps

Join us for Nebraska Summer String Academy (NSSA) at the stunning new Westbrook Music Building and freshly renovated Kimball Recital Hall! The University of Nebraska Glenn Korff School of Music is collaborating with SAIL to offer this comprehensive string experience. Open to dedicated string musicians who have completed grades 7-12, NSSA is the perfect opportunity to elevate your musical abilities alongside the distinguished Glenn Korff School of Music string faculty, including special guest Scott Tixier—a six-time affiliate Grammy Award-winning French jazz violinist. Develop crucial skills for continued growth as a musician, from audition preparation and performance techniques to instrumental improvisation, all within a collegiate environment designed to inspire the next generation of string performers.

A comprehensive musical experience where dedicated string musicians can develop their skills in both chamber music and advanced string techniques.

• Who Can Attend: String musicians who have completed grades 7–12
• Requirements: Dedicated players seeking intensive musical growth
• Activities Include:
  • Lessons
  • Chamber music coaching
  • Masterclasses
  • Improvisation training
  • Technique workshops
• Faculty: David Neely (violin), Clark Potter (viola), Karen Becker (cello), Hans Sturm (double bass)
• Special Guest: Six-time affiliate Grammy-winning jazz violinist Scott Tixier
• Performance:  Friday Chamber Concert, Saturday Orchestra Concert
• Career Prep: Guidance on auditions, music careers, and instrument care
• Audition Recording: 2–3 minute solo video required; details emailed in June

Tuition: $300
Room & Board (Optional): +$200
Total with Room & Board: $500

Boarding students will check in at the dorms on Sunday, July 20, while commuters will join all participants beginning Monday, July 21.

Contact: For questions, please contact Karen Becker at kbecker2@unl.edu

Register here

Online registration for 2025 is now open. FIRM registration deadline of May 30th. No exceptions and NO REFUNDS after the May 30 deadline. Register HERE.
 
Be a part of the exciting University of Nebraska–Lincoln's National Show Choir Camp this Summer, located on the UNL City Campus. Open to students entering grades 9 through 12 and 2025 graduates. This is a week long camp where students who love singing and dancing can perform with other talented students from around the Midwest while having fun!! All-air-conditioned rehearsal spaces, classrooms, resident and dining halls.
 
Basic Schedule (subject to change):
Sunday: 2–4pm Dorm Resident Check-in at Smith Hall; 4–5pm Commuter (non-dorm resident same location.
Monday-Friday: 6:30am breakfast (dorm residents only) 8:15am warmups followed by rehearsals, sessions, meals, and evening activities
Saturday: 6:30am breakfast (dorm residents only), rehearsals & dress runs with band, lunch, rehearsals, 3pm free performance on the UNL campus for friends, family, public; parents pick up luggage in TBA resident hall after concert (approx. 5pm)
 

Students will learn

• Newly arranged music and choral techniques
• Intense movement, staging, and vocal work
• Quality age-appropriate tone production
• Costuming and microphone techniques
• Group dynamics and "There is no place like Nebraska!"

Our camp offers

• One entire show choir show
• Thursday night talent show
• Outside acts to perform for you
• Devoted clinicians
• Friendly and charismatic counselors 
   

Student Registration

Deadline: May 30, 2025

Contact: Dr. Pete Eklund

Related website: National Show Choir Camp

We regret to announce that due to construction of the new music building and the removal of the old music building, our 2025 Middle School Band Camp has been canceled. We are looking forward to re-starting the camp in 2026.

This camp is a dynamic summer experience for middle school students passionate about music and looking to expand their skills. Designed for students entering grades 6 through 8, the camp is hosted at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and offers a fresh, immersive approach to band. Over the course of a week, young musicians explore the foundations of music creation, from composing original pieces to improvising with others, all in a supportive and creative environment.

Guided by experienced instructors and professional performers, campers will learn new techniques, explore the history and future of music, and develop the confidence to express themselves. Through interactive lessons, performance games, and collaboration with peers, students are encouraged to unleash their creativity and push their musical boundaries. Whether they’re beginners or experienced players, this camp provides a space for everyone to grow, play, and discover new possibilities in music.

We regret to announce that due to construction of the new music building and the removal of the old music building, our 2025 High School Band Camp has been canceled. We are looking forward to re-starting the camp in 2026.

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln High School Marching Band Camp fosters leadership, marching fundamentals, and performance skills in all areas of the high school marching band. Participants receive intensive instruction from clinicians on an individual and group basis. The age range of campers is students entering the 9th grade through leaving 12th grade (including graduates). Note: This camp is NOT the second-round of auditions for admission into the Cornhusker Marching Band.

Most clinic sessions take place outdoors, so participants must come prepared with sunscreen, cool clothing and athletic shoes. The camp finale is an exhibition performance in Memorial Stadium on the final day of the camp. All camp participants perform at this exhibition. All campers are encouraged to live on campus during the camp to take full advantage of evening work sessions and planned activities. Students choosing the resident camper package live in a campus residence hall and dine in the hall's cafeteria. Each floor is supervised by several live-in counselors. Campers must provide their own instrument and all accessories such as music lyres, percussion sticks, and flip folders. The University Band Program can provide a limited number of front ensemble percussion instruments. Lockers are available in Westbrook Music Building.