Summer Music Academy Registration

Registration for the 2025 summer music academy opens December 1.

Birch Creek Music Performance Center is a Residential Summer Music Academy on the beautiful Door County peninsula of Wisconsin. Founded in 1976, Birch Creek is a unique academy that provides talented students, entering grade seven through graduating grade 12, advanced training and mentorship as well as the opportunity to perform publicly alongside top music professionals from the United States and abroad.

Birch Creek offers four 2-week residential summer sessions in Symphony, Big Band Jazz (two sessions), and Percussion, Steel Pan & World Music: Jazz, Pop & World Percussion. The student-to-faculty ratio of 2-to-1 ensures that students receive 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.

Read our Transgender Policy to learn more about our commitment to creating an inclusive experience for all participants.

When creating a new account, please list a “Parent” as the Primary Contact. Next, “Add a Person” to the account and add yourself. From there, you may register for any session. When completing the application sections, clicking “Next” at the end of each section will save the information for that section. Make sure all of the information is correct. Once you’ve moved on to the next session, you will not be able to make changes to the previous one.

If you already have an account in progress, you may access it by clicking here.

Please note: Birch Creek will be following CDC and local public health guidelines at the time of programming. Programs are subject to change.

Scholarship Application

For faster processing, please submit the scholarship application online. Completed Scholarship Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting in March once the student has been accepted into the Program.

Mail or fax a printed Scholarship Application to:
Birch Creek
Attn: Registrar
PO Box 230
Egg Harbor, WI 54209

Eligibility for financial assistance is based solely on the applicant’s personal qualifications without regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship/immigration status, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

PERCUSSION, STEEL PAN & WORLD MUSIC
June 15 – June 28, 2025

ADMISSION PROCEDURE

Completed applications will be reviewed for acceptance on a rolling basis beginning on FEBRUARY 1. Applications will continue to be reviewed through spring and early summer. Scholarships will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Apply early as positions fill quickly. If the Session is filled, you will be placed on a waiting list as cancellations do occur.

ADMISSION APPLICATION

  1. SUBMIT YOUR ONLINE ADMISSION APPLICATION WITH $100 DEPOSIT (Refunded if not accepted to the program.)

  2. HAVE YOUR TEACHER COMPLETE OUR ONLINE TEACHER RECOMMENDATION FORM (Returning students are exempt.)

  3. SUBMIT YOUR PLACEMENT RECORDING

Percussion, Steel Pan & World Music: Jazz, Pop & World Percussion applicants must submit placement video recordings within the Admission Application OR after you are accepted. Links can also be mailed to Registrar@BirchCreek.org (be sure to include your name and session).

• Videos are for ensemble placement only and not for acceptance into Birch Creek

Tuition: $2,300 plus application fee

Need-based and merit scholarships are available.

Placement video recordings:

SNARE DRUM
Required: One concert snare drum solo or etude. All-state or all-region audition music is acceptable. An etude from Portraits in Rhythm by Anthony Cirone or a similar collection is a good choice.

*KEYBOARD PERCUSSION
Required: One two-mallet solo or etude performed on marimba, xylophone, or vibraphone. You may use all-state or all-region audition music or an etude from any standard method book.
Optional, but recommended: One four-mallet marimba or vibraphone solo of your choice.

*STEEL PAN
Optional: A solo, etude or an excerpt from a steel band composition on your steel pan instrument of choice. A video of you performing with a full steel band is also acceptable.

*NOTE: If you are more comfortable on steel pan than on mallet percussion, you may send a video of pan only. If you have some experience with both mallets and pan, please send videos of both.

OTHER TALENTS:
Optional: Students are encouraged to include video performances of other percussion interests such as drumset, jazz vibes/marimba, hand drums, piano, or other instruments. Do you sing, tap dance, play guitar, or compose your own music? If so, share it with us.

SYMPHONY: June 29 - July 12, 2025

ADMISSION PROCEDURE

Completed applications will be reviewed for acceptance on a rolling basis beginning on FEBRUARY 1. Applications will continue to be reviewed throughout the spring and early summer. Scholarships will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Apply early as many sections fill quickly. If an instrument position is filled, you will be placed on a waiting list as cancellations do occur.


ADMISSION APPLICATION

  1. SUBMIT YOUR ONLINE ADMISSION APPLICATION WITH $100 DEPOSIT (Refunded if not accepted to the program.)

  2. SUBMIT YOUR AUDITION RECORDINGS (within the Admission Application OR email YouTube links to Registrar@BirchCreek.org). Be sure to include your name, session and instrument.

    • Two (2) contrasting solos or etudes and two (2) scales, one major and one minor scale with multiple octaves, if applicable.

    • Please refer to page 3 for suggested repertoire levels.

You may also schedule a live audition with one of our Symphony faculty members in place of submitting an audition recording. A live audition may be performed via Zoom, FaceTime or any other online platform. 

Tuition: $2,300 plus application fee

Need-based and merit scholarships are available.

BIG BAND JAZZ I: July 13 – 26, 2025

BIG BAND JAZZ II: July 27 – August 9, 2025

ADMISSION PROCEDURE

Completed applications will be reviewed for acceptance on a rolling basis beginning on FEBRUARY 1. Applications will continue to be reviewed throughout the spring and early summer. Scholarships will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Apply early as many sections fill quickly. If a section is filled, you will be placed on a waiting list as cancellations do occur.

ADMISSION APPLICATION

  1. SUBMIT your ONLINE ADMISSION APPLICATION with $100 DEPOSIT (Refunded if not accepted to the program.)

  2. Have your teacher complete our TEACHER RECOMMENDATION FORM (Returning students are exempt.)

  3. SUBMIT your AUDITION RECORDING within the Admission Application OR email YouTube links to Registrar@BirchCreek.org.

  • Required for new saxophonists and drummers only.

  • Two (2) pieces with a contrasting style.

Tuition: $2,300 plus application fee

Need-based and merit scholarships are available.