Class Descriptions
As a comprehensive music camp, Cannon Music Camp offers more than just ensembles and private lessons. We also offer classes that will help you become a more complete and well-rounded musician.
Registered campers are encouraged to submit the Elective Interest Form before coming to camp to help us predict interest in these classes! Please discuss paid electives with your family.
The Class Schedules page shares how schedules are built. Ensemble placement is the largest factor. On the first Sunday at 12:30 P.M, you will audition for placement with your instructor and ensemble(s), and you may audition for ensembles on a secondary instrument at that time of desired. Please visit the Ensemble Audition Information page to find out what is suggested for your performance. Ensemble participation is a central part of daily activity at Cannon Music Camp. All ensembles are conducted by highly qualified professionals who work to achieve the highest standards of group musicianship.
After arriving at camp, DROP/ADD forms (with approval from our Dean of Camp) are available for classes, lessons, and ensembles. The drop/add period will begin on the first Monday and will end by the first Wednesday morning.
Music Theory
Campers, check your email and take the Music Theory Placement Test to help us match you with the right level!
Each camper will be enrolled a theory class to strengthen their music literacy and reading skill (unless there is a scheduling conflict or the student elects for another option based upon a high placement test score). Four levels of music theory are offered annually with some specializations offered upon availability and demand. Based upon the results of the theory placement assessment taken prior to the start of camp, all campers will be placed into a level that meets them where they are (musically speaking) and helps them grow into a deeper understanding of music literacy. Music Theory classes meet Monday through Friday. See a detailed breakdown of topics and placement scores in our Music Theory Curriculum Guide.
Optional Electives Included with Tuition
Conducting Class
Conducting class offers an opportunity to learn the basics of conducting and develop your leadership skills!
Introduction to Musical Theatre
New for 2025, this elective offers students an opportunity to explore the basics of musical theatre. This elective is open to voice majors and students of any instrument who have an interest in singing.
Jazz/Rhythm Improvisation
Musicians of all backgrounds are welcomed in the Jazz/Rhythm Improvisation class! These classes are structured to help both beginners and more advanced students. You do not have to be in the jazz band in order to take this elective.
Optional Fee-Based Electives
The following electives have an extra cost. Availability depends on the schedules of the student and teacher. After reading the descriptions, see How to Register and Pay for Fee-Based Electives below. Receiving a scholarship does not mean that paid electives are covered.
Piano Class ($75)
Piano skills benefit every musician! The fee for this class is $75 and includes all materials needed. Piano Class will meet for 6 class sessions. Each class size is limited to 12 students. (This class is not the same as Secondary/Additional Lessons with a piano professor.)
Beginner Piano Class: For those with no prior keyboard experience, the beginner class is a great way to start to acquire fundamental techniques.
Intermediate Piano Class: Intermediate piano students should have at least 2 years of private study prior to camp (although exceptions may be made). Intermediate Piano will introduce skills that will be helpful to instrumentalists and vocalists: harmonization (putting chords with a melody), transposition, improvising melodies to play over existing chords, sight-reading, and playing.
Intermediate Students should demonstrate a familiarity with the following:
- Ability to locate most notes in the correct octave on the keyboard
- Reading easily from the Grand Staff (treble & bass clefs bracketed together)
- Playing chords (2-3 notes together in the same hand) underneath a melody
- Playing outside the 5-finger position
- Playing in various keys
Instructors: Group piano classes will be taught by Dr. Catherine Garner, Dr. Mi-Jin Kim and Dr. Islei Hammer, experienced piano faculty and staff at Appalachian State University!
Alexander Technique ($75)
Cannon Music Camp is pleased to offer courses in the Alexander Technique. This is an internationally respected method designed to increase performance ability through the discovery of ways to relieve patterns of excess tension and performance anxiety. The class costs $75 and will meet for 6 class sessions.
Instructor: Prof. Corinne Cassini. Prof. Cassini teaches Alexander Technique at the Hayes School of Music and in her own private practice. Read more in her bio on the Hayes School of Music website!
Students are asked to become active observers of their personal coordination by performing such simple activities as walking, sitting or talking. As they become aware of the habitual manner in which they do these simple tasks, they are guided to apply their new observations to more effective performance in music. As coordination improves they often experience new confidence in their performance potential. Once this groundwork is established, performance fears can dissipate. There will be no miracle, but a solid awareness of personal potential.
The student learns how the skeletal and muscular systems can function in ease and flexibility. By developing more constructive thinking and learning to note useless tensions within activities, the student is freed to allow personal style to manifest itself. Students are led to take personal responsibility for goals. By experiencing group sessions they give one another encouragement as to effective change. What better time, than in their youth, to take a deep look at habitual patterns of thinking and moving, which may become counterproductive to their experiences and/or to their careers in the field of music.
Secondary/Additional Private Lessons ($75-150)
Secondary Lessons are private lessons on an instrument, voice, or subject area (such as conducting or composition) other than the camper’s primary instrument. They may be taken if a camper’s class schedule and faculty member’s schedule permits. Depending on studio capacity and instructor availability, campers may be able to take additional lessons on their primary instrument/voice (beyond the 3 included with tuition). This is a wonderful opportunity to explore an additional area of interest!
Please note that a parent/guardian will need to attend these lessons via Zoom, as with the regular lessons.
The charge for three 30-minute private lessons is $75 and the charge for three 60-minute private lessons is $150.
How to Register and Pay for Fee-Based Electives
Camper: Complete the Interest Form before camp or sign up at the Electives Interest Table in registration.This does not guarantee placement in the class, but it gives camp staff advance notice to help them build it into your schedule, and helps professors know how many students want lessons with them. Sign up early for the best chance of being in the class.
Camper: Receive your schedule on the first Monday of camp:
Piano Class and/or Alexander Technique: Check that your desired class is shown on your schedule. If you are not enrolled, you may visit the camp office on Monday and complete a drop/add request to add the class. If approved, you will receive a new schedule with the requested class.
- Secondary/Additional Private Lessons: During the evening of the first Monday of camp, bring your schedule and a paper Secondary Lesson Form to the office of the private instructor with whom you would like to have secondary lessons. Be sure to circle whether you are interested in 30-minute or 60-minute lessons. The instructor will determine whether there is a mutually available lesson time, and if so, the instructor will deliver the form to the camp office. Wait to receive an email confirmation from Cannon Music Camp before paying for Secondary Lessons.
Parents/Family: Between June 23-27, once you hear from your camper that the requested class has been added to their schedule, or hear from the camp office that Secondary Lessons have been added, visit the Iris registration form (in which you originally made payments for camp) and select from the new elective options you will see there. Make all elective payments by Friday, June 27.
This payment form is ONLY AVAILABLE JUNE 23-27. Payments for electives cannot be accepted prior to June 23 and/or when your student confirms they are in the class.
You will use the same login and form from your original Iris registration, so you do not need to recreate an account.
Do not pay for Piano Class or Alexander Technique until your camper has told you they received a printed paper schedule with the class on it.
- Do not pay for Secondary Lessons until you have received an email from the camp office notifying you of successful lesson enrollment.
Campers will be removed from the class roster if not paid for by June 27.