Profs. Orcenith Smith and Eric Edberg Lend Their Talents to Musical Summer Camp

June 15, 2013

Orcenith Smith, professor of music and director of orchestras at DePauw University, will serve as a conductor at Strings and Jazzy Things, June 17–21. The camp, which is held at Broad Ripple High School, was established by the Philharmonic Orchestra of Indianapolis and serves inner-city middle school students.

The young musicians are paired with teachers representing leading classical and jazz programs in Indianapolis. The five-day, tuition-free camp is completely funded through donations by a number of area organizations, including Lilly Endowment, the Christel DeHaan Family Foundation, the Indianapolis Symphony and St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

“As students’ main academic programs wind down for the year, the Strings and Jazzy Things camp is a wonderful opportunity for these students to find a way to extend their music-making development through the summer,” explains Professor Smith. “With gracious foundation and community support, the students receive a week of intensive all-day instruction, tuition free. And, since they are around other focused peers and talented and caring teachers, who amplify the learning process, a lot of development happens in less time.”

Included in the camp are daily jazz improvisation and body movement sessions, as well as sectional string and band master classes. An additional feature is the recent inclusion of a classical improvisation component taught by Eric Edberg, another DePauw School of Music faculty member. 

“Dr. Edberg is one of our country's leading proponents in classical improvisation,” declares Smith. “The students are getting the very best guidance and ideas to help them achieve what they can and want to accomplish.”

Professor Edberg (seen at right) was featured in the Wall Streeet Journal on November 28, 2008.

Named "Outstanding Professor of Music" three times at DePauw, Smith was the inaugural recipient of the Cassel Grubb University Professorship in Music (1999-2003). He has conducted over 700 performances of orchestral, operatic and choral/orchestral repertoire in the United States and abroad.

Founded in 1884, the DePauw School of Music is one of the oldest in the nation and has an established tradition of educating leaders in virtually every facet of music -- including performance, education, composition and administration. For more information, click here.

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