The Upper Division at the Annie Moses Summer Music Festival is for middle, high school, and college-age performers. Each student is given a customized performance experience based on their skill level. Our team of show writers and arrangers identify the strengths and weaknesses of individual musicians and work to both compliment and challenge the unique talents of each performer.
The Upper Division lasts 11 days and is broken up into two Phases:
Over the first three days of Upper Division, you'll hone your skill on a specific instrument whether strings, harp, guitar, mandolin, voice, or piano. Each day students participate in classes such as chamber orchestra, genre-specific ensembles (pop/rock band, bluegrass group, jazz trio, etc...), music theory, songwriting, and extensive performance coaching. You'll hone everything from classical technique or fiddle chops to melody and lyric writing.
Master classes form a core aspect of the Woodshed and give students the opportunity to receive real-time feedback by world-class performers. The program is open to all skill levels. If you're looking to jump to a new level of technical fluency, musicality, and performance experience, Phase 1 ("Woodshed") is perfect!
Classes Include:
Phase 2 or "Gala Week" is the performance intensive that concludes the Upper Division. The week culminates in a massive show featuring chamber symphony, a professional backup band, and multiple soloists and small groups in a wide variety of genres from Americana to classical to pop rock. Each performer receives two featured moments in the variety show in either a solo or small group capacity depending on their skill level. During the show, they also perform in a large group ensemble such as orchestra or choir.
Each day of Gala Week is divided between large group rehearsals, coaching sessions for the performer’s features, and stage blocking. Toward the end of the week, we transition to stage dress rehearsals where tech, lighting, and other components are included.
The purpose of Gala Week is to give each student the experience of professional performance, going from “0 to 60 mph” in just 1 week from learning music to performing for a live audience. Students learn what it means to “stand and deliver” and come to appreciate their hidden potential for extraordinary excellence given the proper material, coaching, and context.
