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.
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. This website will provide current updates on the COVID-19 page.
PERCUSSION, STEEL PAN & WORLD MUSIC: Jazz, Pop & World Percussion June 18 – July 1, 2023
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.
Application Instructions – Percussion, Steel Pan & World Music: Jazz, Pop & World Percussion (printable pdf)
ADMISSION APPLICATION
Percussion, Steel Pan & World Music: Jazz, Pop & World Percussion applicants must submit placement video recordings within the Application OR after acceptance to the Program by emailing links to Registrar@BirchCreek.org.
• Videos are for ensemble placement only and not for acceptance into Birch Creek
Snare Drum Required: One concert snare drum solo from Portraits in Rhythm by Anthony Cirone or a similar collection (all-state or all-region audition music is acceptable). Optional: One contrasting solo in a rudimental or contemporary style.
Keyboard Percussion Required: One two-mallet solo or etude such as all-state or all-region audition music or from books such as Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba, and Vibraphone by Morris Goldenberg or Masterpieces for Marimba by Thomas McMillan. Optional: One four-mallet marimba or vibraphone solo of your choice.
You may also include additional videos.
Students are encouraged to include video performances of other percussion interests such as drumset, steel pan, jazz vibes/marimba, hand drums, piano, or other instruments. Do you sing, tap dance, play bagpipes, or compose your own music? If so, share it with us.
Tuition: $2,300 plus application fee
Need-based and merit scholarships are available.
SYMPHONY July 2 – 15, 2023
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 or until sections are filled. 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.
Application Instructions – Symphony (printable pdf)
ADMISSION APPLICATION
You can also schedule a live audition directly with one of our Symphony faculty members in place of submitting an Audition Recording.
Tuition: $2,300 plus application fee
Need-based and merit scholarships are available.
BIG BAND JAZZ I July 16 – 29, 2023
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 or until sections are full. Scholarships will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Apply early as many instrument positions fill quickly. If an instrument position is filled, you will be placed on a waiting list as cancellations do occur.
Application Instructions – Big Band Jazz (printable pdf)
ADMISSION APPLICATION
Tuition: $2,300 plus application fee
Need-based and merit scholarships are available.
BIG BAND JAZZ II July 30 – August 12, 2023
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 or until sections are full. Scholarships will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Apply early, as many instrument positions fill quickly. If an instrument position is filled, you will be placed on a waiting list as cancellations do occur.
Application Instructions – Big Band Jazz (printable pdf)
ADMISSION APPLICATION
Tuition: $2,300 plus application fee
Need-based and merit scholarships are available.
Required for new students applying to Percussion, Steel Pan & World Music; Big Band Jazz I and Big Band Jazz II.
Teacher Recommendation Form (printable pdf)
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.
Scholarship Application Form (printable pdf)
Scholarship Procedure (printable pdf)
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.
Birch Creek is supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.
