So I made the first of a few quizzes I'm working on. It may not be 100% accurate, but it's fun!

http://www.gotoquiz.com/what_orchestral_instrument_are_you

Leave a comment below with what instrument you are!

How to Pick A Music Camp

Band camp, Fiddle Camp, Choir Camp, Rock Camp, Theater Camp, Classical, there are SO many types of music camps to choose from. So how do you pick the camp that is a good fit for you?
First there are some questions you need to ask yourself.

1.) What do I want out of a camp?
Do you want to learn something new?                                  Improve existing skills?

Make friends?

 Travel? 

Go hiking in between rehearsals?






This is an EXTREMELY important step to picking the right camp. Chances are, with the right questions and some research, you will find a perfect fit.

 If you are comfortable playing classical, do you want to learn to play blue grass or rock, or do you want to study classical music at a more intense level?

2.) Do I want to play or study?

While all music camps have both study and play, doing some research into how much is important. Read reviews, talk to people who have been there, and find out. Some camps are only a week long, but have you doing intensive musical study eleven hours a day, with one hour of free time.
Then other camps have tons of social time, and you have to provided your own intensity. There isn't a right or wrong answer; you don't have to go to an intensive study camp to have a positive learning experience, and you don't have to go to a less intensive camp to make friends and have fun.

3.) How long do I want to be away from home?
Some camps are day camps, some last a week, and some last for six weeks. Some camps, such as Interlochen in Michigan, and NYSMF offer both a one week, and a six week option.

Other camps, such as the Maple Valley Youth Symphony Camp, are day camps that last a week.
You need to figure out what fits with your summer plans, and fall goals.

4.) Do you want to travel to a different state or country, or stay closer to home? There is a lot of world out there to explore, and sometimes learning music in new environments can help you grow more than you thought possible. On the other hand, sometimes being so far away from what is familiar can be a burden. 
 If Travel sounds good, check out State College sponsored music camps as well as famous camps like Interlochen and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, the New York Summer Music Festival, Aspen Music Festival and School. There are also lists of International camps, like this list for violinists.

5.) Some More Camps Links:

 To Stay in Washington State, Check out WSU's Cougar String Camp and Piano Camp in Pullman, or any of Icicle Creek's great music programs. They range from chamber music, to solo camps, to symphonic camps, to even music theater camps.

And to stick even closer to the Seattle area, start with Tacoma Youth Symphony's camp, Maple Valley Youth Symphony's Camp, Seattle Youth Symphony's camp, or Bellevue Youth Symphony's camp.

 For a rock camp, try Seattle Rock Orchestra's Camp, for a fiddle camp, check this out . For a chamber music camp, try Icicle Creek's Music Camp. For a camp specific to your instrument, check out Seattle Pacific University's Bass Camp, or any of the camps here.
For more help picking the right camp for you, visit you local music store, and they will have some brochure's you can check out.

There are even more music camps options at Music Works website, and at The Instrumentalist.

 I've gone to music camps, sometimes had a great time, and sometimes not. I can't guarantee that following these tips means your camp experience will be great, but I honestly think it can help. Besides, as with all music, your get out what you put in. Have a great summer!
Have any tips for finding the perfect music camp? Post 'em below! Seriously, someone comment!