The Symphony Academy offers a variety of year-round classes and programs for kids and adults of all ages. The Symphony Academy’s Classes, Camps and Workshops provide a challenging, yet nurturing environment for young musicians at various levels of their musical development. Previous enrollment in Symphony Academy programs is not required and students from all schools and private teachers are welcome.
The Des Moines Symphony Academy provides exceptional learning opportunities to our students with experienced master teachers. Through our affiliation with the Des Moines Symphony, our students regularly participate in master classes and other learning opportunities with visiting Des Moines Symphony guest artists. Recent guest teaching artists have included violinists Midori, Vadim Gluzman, Bella Hristova and Anne Akiko Meyers pianists Chris O’Riley, Lise de la Salle and Charlie Albright, conductor Gerard Schwarz; trumpeter Manny Laureano; cellist Julian Schwarz; and flautist Sir James Galway.
Classes & Camps
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String Quartet Camp Age: Grades 9-12 Dates: Jul 10-12; Jul 15-16, 2024 Time: Mornings Location: Temple for the Performing Arts Tuition: $150Join us for our Summer String Quartet Camp with special guest clinician Philip Bergman, principal cellist of Orchestra Iowa. Participating students will build their musical leadership skills and meet new musician friends, while working on exciting string quartet repertoire. Each quartet will receive (5) 60-minute sessions with their assigned coach. Quartet personal practice times will also be arranged. Quartets will share what they have learned at a end of camp performance. Pre-existing string quartets are welcome.
Concert Performance: Tue Jul 15 at 5pm
Registration will be open through Mon May 27. Students new to the Academy may be asked for an audition. Auditions will be held on Tue Jun 4.
Please contact Joshua Barlage at 515.280.3332 or joshua@dmsymphony.org with any questions. -
Intro to Flute Choir Workshop Instructor: Anne Stein Age: Grades 6 - 8 Dates: June 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2024 Time: 7:00-8:00pm Location: Recital Hall, Temple for Performing Arts Tuition: $125
Do you love playing the flute? Come join other flute enthusiasts for our Intro to Flute Choir Workshop! This class will offer middle school flutists an opportunity to gain experience as an ensemble player which enhances a flutist’s individual musical development. Students will learn how to use different tonal colors and listen for blend, balance, and intonation as well as developing their technique in fingering, articulation, breathing, and embouchure. Participants will have the opportunity to play alto flute and bass flute. Repertoire includes traditional rounds, classical, and jazzy pieces. The class will prepare students to play in the upper level Symphony Academy Flute Choirs. New members may be required to audition.
Minimum Enrollment: 5
Performance: Tue Jun 25 at 7:30PM
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Flute Choir Workshop Instructor: Anne Stein Age: Grades 9 - 12 Dates: Jul 2, 9, 16 and 23, 2024 Time: 7:00PM - 8:30PM Location: Grand Hall, Temple for Performing Arts Tuition: $135
Savor your “flute flavor” with other flute fanatics. We will explore music arranged and composed specifically for flute choir. Participants will have the opportunity to play alto and bass flutes. Our Flute Choir Workshop will include a final concert and possible casual performances in summer settings. New members may be required to audition.
Minimum Enrollment: 5
Performance: Tue Jul 23 at 8:00PM
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String Orchestra Camp Dates: Aug 12-15; 19-20, 2024 (6 classes) Time: 4:00 - 6:00 PM Location: The Temple for Performing Arts Tuition: $130
Rosin up those bows for our 2024 Summer String Orchestra Camp. Participating musicians will work with Des Moines Symphony Youth Orchestras Conductors Matt Meyer and Michele Senger on challenging, age-appropriate repertoire for string orchestra.
Musicians must have completed at least one full year of school orchestra or private lessons instruction to participate.
Concert Performance: Tue Aug 20 at 5:30pm -
Violin Geography Instructor: Linda Pfund Swanson Age: Beginners of All Ages Dates: Sat Jul 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2024 Time: 12:00pm & 1:00pm Location: The Temple for Performing Arts Tuition: $95
Designed for violinists in Suzuki books 2 - 4 who have completed learning their notes in first position. Participating students will learn short cuts and helpful tips on navigating the fingerboard of the violin and will explore the length of the fingerboard, shifting and crossing the strings!
