For Musicians in the Making!
A co-ed, symphony orchestra intensive day program hosted by SBYSO and Saint Mary's College for intermediate to advanced music students ages 12-22 as of September 2025.
Dates: June 16-20 (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST).
Application/Audition Deadline: May 1
Daily lunch included!
Cost: $449
Financial Assistance Available
Audition recordings are not required for current Fischoff Chamber Music Academy students and SBYSO members.
What to expect
Experience an unforgettable week of music, creativity, and camaraderie at the South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestras (SBYSO) Summer Orchestra Camp! Designed for passionate young musicians up to age 22, this immersive day camp offers the perfect blend of artistic growth and summer fun on the beautiful Saint Mary’s College campus.
Led by SBYSO Music Director Dr. Robert Boardman and conductor Zac Couldret, participants will take part in dynamic full-orchestra rehearsals, sectionals, and special masterclasses with professional musicians and SBYSO alumni. This year’s exciting repertoire includes Windborne’s The Music of Queen—America’s most in-demand symphonic rock show—culminating in a ticketed finale concert featuring the orchestra and star vocalist Mig Ayes on Friday, June 20, at 7:00 PM.
Beyond rehearsals, campers will enjoy guest lectures, composer workshops, and recreational activities, including games, movies, and outdoor fun—all while building lifelong friendships with like-minded musicians.
Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to rock the stage and make incredible memories. Join us for a summer of symphonic excitement!
Students who play the following instruments are welcome to apply for this camp:
Flute / Piccolo
Oboe / English Horn
Clarinet / Bass Clarinet
Bassoon / Contrabassoon
French Horn
Trumpet
Trombone / Bass Trombone
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion
Harp
Violin
Viola
Cello
String Bass
Questions? Contact Dr. Robert Boardman at robertwboardman@gmail.com
About the South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestras
Founded in 1968, the South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestras began as a joint venture between IUSB’s School of the Arts and the South Bend Community School Corporation. The program started with just one orchestra, and expanded to two in 2002. SBYSO has grown to include students from seven counties with students from as far south as Culver, as far west as La Porte, north to Edwardsburg and east to Goshen, in addition to members from the South Bend-Mishawaka region. In recent years, the SBYSO has won first place nationally for The American Prize in Orchestral Programming, commissioning local composers and collaborating with musicians from the Chicago, Pittsburgh and Detroit Symphony Orchestras.
About the Program Director
Dr. Robert W. Boardman is now in his 13th year as music director of the South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestras, winning first place in the American Prize for Orchestral Programming (2018, 2015), commissioning and premiering Jorge Muniz' "Motown Dreams" for saxophonist Timothy McAllister. Boardman tours internationally as a conductor for Howard Shore’s The Lord of the Rings Symphony with CAMI Music. For six years he served as frequent cover conductor for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. As a guest conductor, he has led the Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestras, Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra, Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, South Bend Symphony Orchestra, Cornell University Symphony Orchestra, and Spokane Symphony. Having achieved the DMA of Orchestral Conducting at the University of Michigan, his principal conducting teachers were Kenneth Kiesler, Marin Alsop, Larry Rachleff, Gustav Meier, and Lawrence Golan.
Questions?
We know how important choosing a summer camp is for you and, because of this, we are here to answer any questions that you have!
Call: (574) 284-4778
Email: camps@saintmarys.edu
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