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Middle School Introduction to Electronic Music Camp

Get started composing your own electronic music in this fun camp for middle school students.

June 13-17, 2022

Designed for middle school students with an interest in the intersections between music, engineering and computers, the Music Technology Camp introduces students to audio engineering and digital music composition through experiential learning.

What will you learn?

  • Camp faculty will work closely with each student to learn concepts and skills related to electronic music production, including songwriting with Garageband, music theory and keyboard skills, structuring and using digital instruments and effects, and how to use physical audio equipment as a foundation for creating electronic music.
  • In every class, students will work hands-on to develop an understanding of the concepts underlying modern music technology.
  • By the end of the camp they will have composed their own original song or ringtone using music software. 

Sample schedule

TimeActivity
8:30-9:00Drop off
9:00-10:30Playing software instruments/making a beat using Garageband
10:40-12:00Daily project-based learning (examples: how to make a speaker, sound engineering, etc.)
12:00-1:00Lunch
1:00-2:30Fundamentals of recording: microphones and mixers
2:40-4:30Music theory
4:30-5:00Pick up

Electronic music camp students will also be engaged in hour-long seminars offered by media specialists at the D.H. Hill Library on various topics and learning objectives involving technology.

Who is it for?

Open to current sixth through eighth graders in middle school. Students who are new to using software to compose music, or are interested in learning music theory and additional skills to improve their digital music-making will enjoy this camp!

A limited number of spaces are available so please register early. Registration is open through June 1 or until all spaces are filled.

Need help registering? Visit the Reporter parent account guide for setup instructions.

Faculty & Staff

Camp Director

Chris Branam

Lecturer | Director of Music Camps | Conductor of Symphonic Band

Camp Clinician

Howie Ledford
Music Production Teacher
Weaver Academy for Performing & Visual Arts and Advanced Technology
Greensboro, NC

Howell “Howie” Ledford is in his seventh year of teaching Music Production at Weaver Academy for Performing & Visual Arts and Advanced Technology in Greensboro, NC. At Weaver, his students have enjoyed success at the national level winning the NAfME Electronic Composition Contest, State winner and national contestant with the National PTSA Reflections Contest, and Youth Arts Award Winner from the Youth Arts Foundation.  

Previous to this Mr. Ledford taught Electronic Music at Career Center High School in Winston-Salem, NC. Mr. Ledford has taught band and orchestra in some form for twenty-one years. He serves as a Marching Band Instructor for East Forsyth High School and has been an Associate Conductor for the Wachovia Winds Youth Wind Ensemble. He also has been a clinician at the NC State Summer Music Technology Camp.

Mr. Ledford graduated from Mars Hill College/University in 2001 with a BME and a Minor in Computer Science. Mr. Ledford earned a Master’s Degree in Music from UNC-G in 2010, and is presently the chair of the NCMEA Music Technology Committee. 

Camp Instructors

Katie Brown

Lecturer, Arts Entrepreneurship

Wes Parker

Teaching Professor | Director of Jazz Studies | Conductor of Jazz Ensembles

Registration

A limited number of spaces are available so please register early.

How to register

Registration is open January 1 through June 1, or until all spaces are filled.

You will need to create a Brickyard account in our Reporter system in order to register for the camp. Visit the Reporter parent account guide for setup instructions.

Cost and schedule

$400 per camper
Includes lunch, camp t-shirt, instruction, supplies and activities.

June 13-17, 2022
8:30 a.m. drop off | pickup between 4:30-5:00 p.m. each day

What to bring

Raleigh is typically hot during the month of June (avg. high 89*F). All NC State buildings will have air conditioning for the duration of camp, but some activities and transitioning between sessions will be outdoors.

  • Comfortable clothes (shorts and t-shirts) and closed-toe shoes for walking around campus
  • Light jacket/sweatshirt for cool indoor spaces
  • Rain gear for inclement weather
  • Water bottle
  • Pens/pencils and notebook
  • Backpack
  • Media storage device such as a USB thumb drive

Please make sure all of your belongings are marked with your name, address, and school.