Group Piano Summer Retreat

Group Piano Summer Retreat is a three-week program for aspiring musicians ages 14 through adult. Learn how to play piano in a stress-free group atmosphere. This course is spread over three weeks advancing gradually in difficulty over three levels. Join all three or just one!

This week is for beginner folks who want to learn to read music and play piano! Come join a very relaxed and easy-going group setting to learn how to play. In this course, participants will start from the very beginning – learning one note at a time and adding new knowledge gradually. You will learn to read treble and bass clef, work on rhythms, and play basic piano pieces.

You should join this week if:

• You do not yet read music.
• You only read treble clef, but do not read bass clef (and vice versa).
• If you took piano lessons as a child and would like to relearn.

This week is for participants who know the most basic note reading and are familiar with common rhythms and meters. Building on the reading basics taught in week one, this class will continue with further note reading, and begin learning technical skills such as scales and chord progressions. Participants will get more comfortable with hand coordination and travel further out on the piano.

You should join this week if:

• You would like to read music more fluently.
• You read treble and bass clef but would like to expand beyond the middle of the keyboard.
• You have trouble coordinating hands.
• You would like to begin learning scales and technical skills.

This final week of the piano retreat is all about balancing functional piano skills and implementing them into repertoire. Participants will explore scales, chord progressions, and harmonization while learning how to implement them into their repertoire pieces. This week will feature daily sight-reading practice.

You should join this week if:

• You would like to begin preparing for a collegiate piano placement exam.
• You would like to be able to read music more fluently.
• You would like to strengthen your technique and be self-sufficient in learning new repertoire.

If you have any questions about which week(s) to join, please contact Dr. Melik at zmelikst@bw.edu.

Still have questions about our summer camps? See Frequently Asked Questions or reach out to us. We're happy to help!