O'Connor Method Camp NYC

O'CONNOR METHOD CAMP NEW YORK CITY

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O'Connor Method Camp New York City ®

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where will all of the camp classes be held?

The camp classes will be held all within the Turtle Bay Music School:

Turtle Bay Music School

244 E 52nd St

New York, NY 10022

Special Note: Turtle Bay Music School is not an ADA accessible space, though every effort is made to accommodate those with special mobility needs. Please contact (212) 753-8811 for more information.

How do you get to Turtle Bay Music School?

Turtle Bay Music School is located in midtown Manhattan on East 52nd Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues.

You can reach us by subway via the E and M trains to Lexington Avenue (53rd Street) or the 6 train to 51st Street (Lexington Avenue).

You can also reach us by the following buses: M15 on Second Avenue to 52nd Street; M101, M102, and M103 on Third Avenue to 52nd Street; M27 and M50 on 49th and 50th Streets to Second Avenue.

How do I know which program to register in?

Visit our About page to view the various programs and requirements to select where you or your child/student should enroll. A Camp is intermediate to advanced levels (Books III-IV in the O'Connor Method), B Camp is beginning levels (Books I-II in the O'Connor Method). M Camp is for children ages 4-7. At least 6 months of playing experience on the instrument is recommended but not required to attend the O'Connor Method Camp NYC. Students must bring their own instrument(s), books, and a music stand.

What is the Chaperone policy if my child is under age 11?

For students 11 and under in the A and B Camps, a chaperone is required. The chaperone does not need to be in the building all day. However, we require for the chaperone to be a phone call away and able to get to the premises quickly in case of emergency. During the optional camp activities that begin at 3:00pm daily, A and B Camp students are expected to participate if they remain on the premises. Chaperones of children 11 and under must be present during the optional camp activities between at 3:00pm-6:00pm daily.

For all students in the M Camp (ages 4-7), the parent/guardian must be in the building for the duration of the camp activities.

How early can I check in on July 30, 2017?

Check in begins at 5:00pm on July 30, 2017 at the Turtle Bay Music School. Orientation and Faculty Introduction will be Sunday July 30 at 6:00pm-7:00pm.

What are the dates/times of the camp concerts and evening events?

Check in begins at 5:00pm, Orientation and Faculty Introduction at 6:00pm on Sunday July 30, 2017

Special Event Wednesday August 2, 2017 at 8:00pm The O'Connor Band Performs at City Winery NYC Get Tickets HERE

Electives Concert Thursday August 3, 2017 at 7:30pm featuring teacher-led class groups

Finale Concert Friday August 4, 2017 at 7:30pm with the O'Connors, students, teacher trainees and faculty

Can you recommend any hotels around the school? Yes! We highly recommend the Hilton Garden Inn, it is very close by to the camp venue, and we have an O'Connor Method Camp group rate. Call to reserve the "O'Connor Method Camp NYC 2017 Group Rate" while rooms are available, or make your reservation online by clicking here.

Average Rate $219 per night

Hilton Garden Inn

New York Manhattan Midtown East

210 East 52nd Street

New York, NY 10022

Phone: 212-794-6000

Website

How much will it cost to participate in the camp? Are instruments provided or do campers bring their own?

Visit the Register page and select the camp registration link to view prices. No instruments or books will be provided. You must bring your own instruments for any classes you sign up for that require them. We will have a limited amount of O'Connor Method Books for sale during camp activities in the lobby. We highly recommend students purchase books before arriving to camp to become familiar with materials as well. O'Connor Method books can be purchased HERE.

How many campers are expected to be at this camp?

About 100 students in the camp, and around 15 teachers per class in the teacher training courses.

For teachers, what is the benefit of being certified in the O'Connor Method?

Mark O'Connor, the author of the O'Connor Method, will be conducting Teacher Training at the O'Connor Method Camp NYC. The teacher certification program provides in depth training in teaching the fundamental elements of the American music styles and techniques such as improvising, chords, ear training, modes and rhythms. Principally, teacher trainers will learn all of the main teaching points to each tune and the natural sequence of each acquired technique that each piece possesses. The fact that the music is enjoyable to both children, parents and teachers to the point where the music can easily be brought to any professional concert is a very big plus with the O’Connor Method materials. Certified teachers will be added to the oconnormethod.com "Find a Teacher"registry page here. To read more about Teacher Training, click here.

What kinds of classes will be offered for the A and B Camps?

Each student is required to take a group class and a master class on his/her instrument at his/her playing level. These core classes are based on the O'Connor Method materials. Each student also chooses two electives for the week. See below.

Each A Camp student chooses two electives from the following:

Orchestra A (open to all instruments - must read music)

Dancing (dance steps to the various American genres)

Chamber Music (open to all instruments - must read music)

Write Your Own Tune (open to all instruments - must read music)

Chording & Chopping (open to all instruments)

Improvisation for Violins (violins only)

Improvisation for Violas (violas only)

Improvisation for Cellos (cellos only)

Bluegrass Fiddling (violins only)

Texas Contest Fiddling (violins only)

Jazz/Swing (open to all instruments)

How to Jam (small group - open to all instruments)

Mandolin (some experience necessary, bring your own instrument)

Guitar (some experience necessary, bring your own instrument)

Students are scheduled with one supervised "free period," during which they can do arts and crafts, jam with friends, and create small bands or ensembles.

*Your four elective choices will be taken into consideration for the final scheduling, which can not be changed*

The rest of the events for the day (beginning at 3:00pm) are optional for A and B Camp students, but highly encouraged! We also encourage chaperones and parents to participate/observe these events. Any underage students not participating in these events will need to be picked up by their chaperone for the day.

The daily All Camp Orchestra places the faculty in the first desks of each string section, and additional faculty and teacher-trainers in seating assignments, each with an empty chair to their side to be filled by students at various levels and of any age to create a 100-piece string orchestra and a unique learning experience! Repertoire is from O'Connor Method Orchestra Book II.

Each day ends with a Student Recital and a Jam Session, during which the students play for each other – often sharing their recent creations that happened during "free period" that day.

Will any instruments be provided? What about for the Mandolin or Guitar classes?

No instruments will be provided. You must bring your own instrument for any classes you sign up for that require them.

What if I'm an adult beginner? What course should I take? Will I be the only adult there?

We plan on having a healthy amount of adult beginner, intermediate, and advanced players attending the camp. If you are an adult interested in taking classes in the A or B Camps, we will be dividing classes according to age level. Depending on the eligibility guidelines on each registration page, adults can apply to the A or B Camps. M Camp is strictly for younger students ages 4-7. A Camp is for intermediate to advanced string players in Books III-IV, and B Camp is for beginning string players in Books I-II.

What should camp participants bring?

Camp participants should bring a music stand, their instrument(s), their O'Connor Method Books, lunch if they plan to eat at the school, and know their individual schedules given at check in. O'Connor Method books will be for sale at the camp throughout the week.

Are lodging and meals provided at this camp?

No. Lodging is by individual arrangement: See above for hotel recommendation. Meals are not provided at the O'Connor Method Camp NYC. Underage students can either be picked up by their own chaperone during lunch time or will need to bring a lunch to eat in the Richmond Room of the Turtle Bay Music School. The Richmond Room will be available daily for all camp participants bringing their lunch.

What do the O'Connor Method books look like inside? Click an image below to enlarge. You can purchase O'Connor Method books Here.