STUDENT ADMISSIONS

SUMMER 2008 SESSION DATES

	" Birch Creek holds a special place in my heart, not only because of the friends I've made there or the utopian surroundings, but also because of the invaluable musical experience I had. A large part of my life would be missing if I had not found this wonderful place, and leaving after two intense weeks was bittersweet." Katie Glaudell
Sound Samples: Click here to listen to Birch Creek Students and Faculty in performance.

GENERAL INFORMATION

THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Birch Creek Music Performance Center on Wisconsin's beautiful Door County peninsula is a young musician’s dream. Founded in 1976, Birch Creek is a unique summer music school that provides talented students (typically age 14-19) advanced training as well as the opportunity to perform publicly alongside some of the top music professionals around. Birch Creek offers four 2-week resident summer sessions in Symphony, Percussion & Steelpan, and Jazz (two sessions). The overall student-faculty ratio is 2.3-to-1, ensuring that students receive attentive hands-on mentoring from top music educators and performers. Additionally, students have numerous public performance opportunities before appreciative audiences who have come to expect only the best from Birch Creek. Please note: Due to the intensive, mentoring-based nature of Birch Creek’s programs, campus residence is required of all students.

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THE CAMPUS

2008 will see the addition of three new buildings to Birch Creek’s campus, including practice and rehearsal rooms and a student dormitory. Pictures and details of Perfect Pitch, our Capital Building Campaign, can be found on this Web site.

Birch Creek is located three miles east of Egg Harbor on Wisconsin's beautiful Door County peninsula. The campus is centered around the 500-seat Dutton Concert Barn, a renovated century-old barn with exceptionally fine acoustics. The barn also includes practice rooms, classrooms, and a green room for those waiting to perform. Across a courtyard that features the campus’ open-air performance gazebo is the original farmhouse, which now serves as a listening library, faculty office, classroom facility, and sleeping quarters for counselors. The nearby granary is used as a dorm and practice space, and more recent additions include a large student dorm and two faculty dorms. In 1998, a new kitchen/dining hall and classroom addition were dedicated, and 1999 saw the expansion of the farmhouse's sleeping quarters. In 2001, a keyboard lab was installed in the farmhouse, and 2007 saw a complete upgrade to the dining area and kitchen floors and furniture. In addition to the new buildings in 2008, improvements and updates are being made to the existing student dorm and portions of the farmhouse.

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STUDENT LIFE


During each two-week session, students live on Birch Creek’s 40-acre rural campus in dormitory-style housing, with male and female students living in separate quarters. There are five live-in counselors (most of them musicians themselves) who oversee all student activities. Students, faculty, and counselors share meals in the campus’ dining facility, which features some of the best food in Door County as well as the opportunity to discuss all matters musical.

During morning and afternoon sessions, students train under the guidance of Birch Creek’s faculty of music professionals, receiving individualized instruction, rehearsing
in small groups, and participating in a variety of seminars and specialized classes. Most evenings feature public performances in the 500-seat Dutton Concert Barn, and students also appear in outreach concerts throughout Door County.

While study at Birch Creek is intense, there is free time. Volleyball, ping pong, and impromptu jam sessions are popular on-campus pursuits. Additionally, there are supervised trips to Door County's beaches, parks, and many unique shops and art galleries. There is also ample time for practice, and private lessons are available.

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READ WHAT PAST STUDENTS HAVE SAID ABOUT BIRCH CREEK

"Birch Creek is a great place for kids who love music. We were always playing or listening to music...Going to Birch Creek was the best part of my summer." -- Beau Knippel, 2007 John & Carolyn Peterson Foundation scholarship recipient.

"In jazz sessions at Birch Creek, we have the opportunity to play and perform in two very different settings: a full, 20-piece big band and a small combo. These two types of ensembles emphasize different aspects of the jazz genre, such as playing as a part of a section vs. soloing, all of which are important to learn in order to become a jazz musician. At Birch Creek, we are under the tutelage of experienced, incredible professionals and teaching assistants. During two weeks at Birch Creek, I expanded my knowledge of jazz and grew exponentially as a musician." -- Zoe LaPalombara

2008 TUITION AND FEES

The actual cost per student of a two-week program at Birch Creek is $3,500. As you can see in the fee schedule below, the tuition and fees charged to students are only 40% of the total cost of attending Birch Creek. Maintaining low costs for all students is made possible by the many donors whose grants and gifts underwrite 60% of actual student costs.

GENERAL FEES PER SESSION
	Non-refundable Processing Fee (per session, due with application)	$50
	Tuition	$500
	Room and Board	$825
	Limited Health and Accident Insurance	$15
	Activity Fee	$35
	Total:	$1,425

To hold your reservation, a deposit of $500 is due within 30 days of acceptance. The balance of fees is due no fewer than 30 days before the start of your session.

REFUND POLICY
All requests to cancel enrollment must be made in writing. If cancellation is received 30 days prior to the start of the session, all money except the $50 processing fee will be refunded. Any cancellation made less than 30 days prior to the session will result in forfeiture of all money paid. If a student leaves during a session because of an illness or documented family emergency, a prorated refund will be paid. If a student leaves for other reasons, the balance will not be refunded.

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ADMISSION PROCEDURE

First Review : Applications received by the date for first review will receive priority. Applications submitted thereafter will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.

2. Prepare a BRIEF RESUME or PARAGRAPH about your musical education, experience and goals. All RETURNING STUDENTS (including Birch Creek Award Winners) must update their resumes annually.

3. Fill in the Applicant section in each of the two APPLICANT RECOMMENDATION FORM . Then have two teachers familiar with your musical background and abilities complete the APPLICANT RECOMMENDATION FORMS.
SYMPHONY SESSION - All NEW APPLICANTS must have teachers submit these forms. (Returning students are exempt.)
PERCUSSION SESSION - All NEW APPLICANTS must have teachers submit these forms. (Returning students are exempt.)
JAZZ SESSIONS - NEW AND RETURNING APPLICANTS must have teachers submit these forms.
Applications will not be considered complete until these forms have been received.

4. AUDITION TAPES -- See specific session requirements below.
NOTE: MINI DISCS are NOT ACCEPTABLE.
Also, please download and read the PDF file, SUGGESTIONS FOR MAKING YOUR AUDITION TAPE, located with the 2008 Admission Materials below.

Symphony session applicants
All applicants (new and returning) must submit an AUDIO AUDITION TAPE (STANDARD CASETTE or CD ONLY), with the exception of Birch Creek award winners from 2007 and students able to schedule a live audition with the appropriate Birch Creek faculty member.
The Audition tape must include:
two scales (one major, one minor) showing your full range, AND
two contrasting pieces (fast and slow, or contrasting styles) lasting about two minutes each. Please download and read the PDF file, SUGGESTED REPERTOIRE LEVELS , located with the 2008 Admission Materials below.

Percussion/Steelpan session applicants

All Percussion Emphasis applicants (new and returning) are required to submit a VIDEO AUDITION TAPE (STANDARD VHS PREFERRED; also acceptable: 8mm analog, DV, and DVD only) that includes:
the audition etude for snare drum and keyboard percussion, located with the 2008 Admission Materials below, and also available from Birch Creek.
Optional inclusions : a 2 - and/or 4 - MALLET keyboard percussion solo or etude; DRUM SET (swing and rock styles–include 4-bar solo/time trades); HAND DRUMS (congas or frame drums); or STEELPAN.

All Steelpan Emphasis applicants are required to submit a VIDEO AUDITION TAPE which includes:
the steelpan audition etude found on this Web site, below, and also available from Birch Creek; AND
a 1 to 2 minute section of a steel band piece that demonstrates your technique and the appropriate style (melodic lines and/or strumming patterns) for your pan. If you do not play a treble instrument (i.e., cellos or basses), email Robert Chappell regarding appropriate music.

Jazz Session Applicants
All Saxophone applicants (new and returning) must submit an AUDIO AUDITION TAPE (STANDARD CASSETTE OR CD ONLY), 10 minutes total, containing 3 tunes in contrasting styles representing the categories below. (Birch Creek 2007 Award Winners are exempt from this requirement.)
a STANDARD such as Autumn Leaves, All The Things You Are, What Is This Thing Called Love, etc.
a BALLAD such as Body and Soul, I Can't Get Started, Autumn in New York, etc.
a JAZZ STANDARD such as Donna Lee, Sera, Blue Bossa, Mr. P.C., etc.
DOUBLING SKILLS. Saxophonists who double on clarinet or flute may include a short excerpt demonstrating their skills on either or both instruments. (Major/minor scales, a short etude or a prepared piece will suffice.) While doubling is an important skill, the main focus of the audition tape is to evaluate your skills as a SAXOPHONIST. Doubling is NOT a prerequisite for acceptance. Those who do not double are still encouraged to apply.

All Jazz Drum applicants (new and returning) must submit a VIDEO AUDITION TAPE (STANDARD VHS ONLY), (10 minutes total) containing 4 tunes in the following styles: MEDIUM SWING, BALLAD (with brushes), UP-TEMPO STRAIGHT AHEAD SWING, and LATIN GROOVE. (Birch Creek 2007 Award Winners are exempt from this requirement.)

5. Enclose $50 NONREFUNDABLE PROCESSING FEE for each session for which you are applying.

6. Mail the APPLICATION(S), RESUME, AUDITION TAPE (if required) and PROCESSING FEE TO:

Birch Creek Registrar
3821 County E 
P.O. Box 230
Egg Harbor, WI 54209-0230

Nondiscrimination policy: Eligibility for enrollment and financial assistance is based solely on the applicant's personal qualifications without regard to race, color, religion or national origin.

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FINANCIAL AID

Birch Creek offers financial aid to help musicians further their artistic development. Award amounts vary and are based on three criteria: the financial need of the family, the artistic ability of the student, and Birch Creek’s instrumentation needs. Full scholarships are rare, and at least some financial commitment is usually required of the family, e.g., partial tuition, transportation to and from Birch Creek, or miscellaneous student purchases.

Birch Creek’s operating budget, from which financial aid funds are derived, is small and the aid requests we receive are numerous. It is not always possible for Birch Creek to meet the needs of every student who applies. Applicants are encouraged to seek assistance from other sources within their community such as their youth symphony or band parents' group.

Please note: The actual cost per student for their two-week session at Birch Creek is $3,500. However, the actual fee charged to the student is approximately 40% of the total cost. In essence, every student automatically receives a 60% scholarship.

If you are interested in applying for financial aid, print out and complete the FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION FORM and submit it to Birch Creek. Note: General student application requirements must be met before a financial aid application is considered.

Please contact us if you have questions or would like more information:

E-mail mainoffice@birchcreek.org
Phone 920-868-3763  Fax 920-868-1643

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Birch Creek Music Performance Center Summer 2008 Admission Materials
This section provides links to all Birch Creek admission materials. All files are saved as Adobe Portable Document Files (.PDF) and may be downloaded and printed out at your convenience. Although many computers will have the necessary Adobe Acrobat Reader software already installed, there is a link for downloading a free version of Acrobat Reader below the list of admission materials. You may also obtain student admissions materials simply by contacting the Registrar at 920-868-3763 or E-mail mainoffice@birchcreek.org
Form	PDF File	Details
Complete 2008 Application Packet Contains instructions, application form, and two recommendation forms (8 pages)		Required for Admission All information and required forms in one 8-page binder
Application Form Application Form Only (1 page)		Required for Admission One page Application Form only (also included in Complete Application Packet, above)
Application and Recommendation Forms Contains Application Form and 2 Recommendation Forms in one file (3 pages)		Required for Admission (also included in Complete Application Packet, above)
Complete Financial Aid Application Packet Contains Financial Aid Application Form and Instructions (2 pages)		Optional - Required for Scholarship Applicants
Suggestions for Making Your Audition Tape (1 page)		Informational For review by those students required to submit an audition tape
Suggested Symphony Repertoire Level (1 page)		Informational For review by Symphony Session Applicants
Percussion Session Applicants Audition Pieces (Must be included on audition videotape)
2-Mallet Audition Piece		Required for all Percussion Emphasis Applicants
Snare Drum Audition Piece		Required for all Percussion Emphasis Applicants
4-Mallet Audition Piece		NOT required for younger percussionists without four-mallet experience
Steelpan Emphasis Audition Etudes		Required for all Steelpan Emphasis Applicants

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