Student musicians can join Summer Youth Orchestra Camp

The friendly and supportive atmosphere of the Summer Youth Orchestra Camp welcomes middle and high school student string, woodwind, brass, and percussion players who have studied their instruments for more than one year.

The summer camp will involve an orchestra experience and encourage individual musical growth through innovative classes designed for discovery, learning, challenges, progress, and success. The camp will be held Monday through Friday, June 16-27, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at New England Congregational Church at 406 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora. A final concert for family and friends will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 27. Registration fees for this two-week camp are $60.

Camp instructors Mark Liu and Chris Griffith bring a wealth of experience in and enthusiasm for teaching and performing orchestral music.

Liu holds a bachelor's degree in music education from Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, a master's degree in music from Northwestern University, a second master's in educational leadership at Aurora University and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in music education through Boston University's Distance Education Program. Liu is in his 13th year of teaching orchestra in Indian Prairie School District 204, at Waubonsie Valley High School and Metea Valley High School respectively. Liu has performed with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, New Philharmonic Orchestra and serves as the assistant principal cellist the Fox Valley Orchestra. Liu is a member of the National Association for Music Education and American String Teachers Association and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Chris Griffith graduated from Illinois State University in 2009 with a degree in music education, where he was a student of William Koehler, and was a member of the ISU Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Chamber Orchestra, ISU Early Music Ensemble, and Recorder Ensemble. Griffith teaches fifth and sixth grade orchestra and conducts an extracurricular string group in the Yorkville School District. Griffith also serves as principal bassist of the Fox Valley Orchestra. He also performs regularly with the DuPage Symphony Orchestra, Chicagoland Pops Orchestra, and the Wheaton Symphony Orchestra.

The Fox Valley Youth Orchestra Camp registration form and additional information can be found at foxvalleyorchestra.org or call (630) 891-2525. You can also email requests for information at fvyodirector@foxvalleyorchestra.org.