The camp
experience
The best way to learn music is to be immersed in it. This is what happens at Border Music Camp. For a week, you live and breathe music — nothing else.
Each morning, camp comes alive in our orchestras, bands and massed choir with powerful, joyful music-making led by inspiring conductors and tutors who share your passion.
In the afternoons, your sound world will expand. Choose from a vibrant range of elective sessions where you can explore new styles, genres and collaborations. You will hear (and perhaps even premiere) fresh works by our composer-in-residence, written especially for camp!
Our week together concludes with joyful public concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings as a celebration of everything we’ve created together.
Border Music Camp is special.
The magic of Camp comes from playing side-by-side with others who share your passion, lifting each other up, exploring new challenges, and discovering what’s possible when talented musicians of all ages are supported, inspired and empowered.
Every day is filled with rehearsal, collaboration, and performance, an immersive experience that transforms not only their playing, but their confidence, teamwork, and love of music.
With a small student-to-tutor ratio and the expert guidance of professional musicians and educators who are specialists in their instrument, students leave camp transforming their playing, their confidence, and their love of music forever.
Every day is filled with playing, singing, and performing, immersing students in a way that accelerates learning, builds confidence, and creates lifelong memories. In just one week, students achieve musical growth equivalent to six months (or more!) of individual learning!
What sets Border Music Camp apart is the opportunity to perform new music written just for them.
Our Composer-in-Residence program allows students to work with a living composer and bring world premieres to life.
Our Massed Choir gives every student the chance to develop vocal technique, ensemble skills, and musicality in a supportive, collaborative environment.
“The magic of camp comes from playing side by side with others”
What instruments can I play at Camp?
Border Music Camp caters for instruments played in standard configurations of symphony orchestras and symphonic wind ensembles:
Strings
Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass
Woodwinds
Flute (including piccolo), Oboe (including cor anglais), Clarinet (all types), Bassoon, Saxophone (all types)
Brass
Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Euphonium, Tenor Horn, Tenor Tuba, Baritone, Tuba
Percussion
(including timpani)
We regret it is impossible to cater for guitar, recorder, piano or harp, but we invite students of these instruments to audition for percussion. Percussion students must be at least Grade 3 AMEB in their regular instrument (e.g. recorder, piano, guitar, harp).
Enrolment options
Border Music Camp isn’t one-size-fits-all, we have four ways to join in the fun! Whether you’re coming just for the morning ensembles, sticking around for afternoons and electives, or living the full camp experience as a Live-In camper, there’s an option that’s just right for you.
Border Music Camp isn’t one-size-fits-all, we have four ways to join in the fun! Whether you’re coming just for the morning ensembles, sticking around for afternoons and electives, or living the full camp experience as a Live-In camper, there’s an option that’s just right for you.
All students start the week with registration and auditions on Sunday, so we can get everyone settled and ready to make music.
Regular timetables begin on Monday, but Friday afternoons and Saturday can look a little different each year as we get ready for the evening concerts, including soundchecks and final rehearsals.
Download here what’s included for each type of student, from drop-off and pick-up times to meals, activities, electives, concerts, and boarding.
What to expect
Discover what a week at Border Music Camp is really like! From energising morning ensembles and our unifying massed choir, to fun afternoon electives and activities, and thrilling evening concerts, there’s something for everyone. Click below to explore each part of the camp in more detail.
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Border Music Camp kicks off on a Sunday with registration from 12:00 noon in the Cultural Centre and then an audition between 12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m (don’t worry, your audition time will be emailed to you about a week before Camp).
After your audition, there is an opening assembly at 3:15 p.m., where you’ll meet the staff and hear about the week ahead. Then it’s off to your first rehearsal, which runs until 5:15 p.m.
Auditions
Auditions determine which morning ensemble you will join and whether you’re eligible for senior elective ensembles like Senior Big Band, Senior Strings, and Senior Woodwinds.
Auditions are friendly, it’s just you and two tutors who play your instrument. Choose a short piece that works without accompaniment. All students are auditioned, and final placements are confirmed afterward.
Opening Assembly & First Rehearsal
At the opening assembly, you will meet all the staff, hear about the week (including elective ensembles), and go over camp rules. After this, you will find out which morning ensemble you’ve been placed into before heading to your first rehearsal!
The first rehearsal is compulsory for all students, including Morning-Only campers. Your conductor will outline the week and lead a read-through of the music (fun). It runs approximately 4:00–5:15 p.m.
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In the morning, musicians play in one of six ensembles:
Davis Symphony Orchestra (AMEB Grade 5 standard and above)
Alexander Symphonic Band (AMEB Grade 5 standard and above)
Hardie Wind Ensemble (AMEB Grade 2 to Grade 4)
Newman Chamber Orchestra (AMEB Grade 2 to Grade 4)
Pringle Wind Ensemble (beginners to AMEB Grade 2)
Cran String Ensemble (beginners to AMEB Grade 2)
Rehearsals are taken by the conductor of each ensemble. And when we need to really work on the parts in detail, the ensembles split into tutorials, which are taken by an experienced performer in your instrument. The conductors and tutors are terrific musicians, who will inspire you with their enthusiasm. So will the other Campers. You'll meet other people who play your instrument, and you can exchange or learn new ideas.
Our beginner ensembles, Cran (strings) and Pringle (woodwind and brass) are designed for students who have been learning for a minimum of six months. Students in Cran and Pringle must be able to read music and play their instruments.
The morning ensembles play in the public concert on Saturday night.
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All campers come together to sing in the massed choir, led by a specialist choral conductor.
Whether you’re a seasoned singer or new to choral music, this is your chance to make music as part of a large voice ensemble. Singing in the Massed Choir not only builds confidence and musical skills, it’s also a highlight of the week for many, uniting every camper. Every student performs in the Saturday night concert alongside the orchestras and bands, bringing to life new choral works written especially for camp.
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Mornings at Border Music Camp are full-on, and after lunch it’s time to recharge, but afternoons are far from dull! From 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., campers have some free time (though many choose to practise or explore further musical adventures). Students under the age of 18 with parental permission may also leave the camp for a short break.
For our under-18 campers, we organise fun recreational activities like Mario Kart tournaments, ten-pin bowling, archery tag, and hip-hop yoga. And, for those looking for a quiet moment, our chill zone in the Cultural Centre is the perfect spot to unwind, play games, or simply relax and recharge.
Our musical sessions offer something for every interest and level. “Interesting Music” is a deep dive into understanding and appreciating music, led by our Director, Alastair McKean, where campers hear and discuss pieces in depth. Tutors also sometimes run sessions for advanced students preparing for HSC or VCE, covering everything from performance preparation and managing performance anxiety to Alexander Technique. For those thinking about life beyond the stage, our Careers in Music sessions explore all the different ways music can play a meaningful role in your future.
Over-18 campers also have a wide range of options: they can join any of the sessions run by our tutors or retreat to a dedicated adult space, a relaxed area to enjoy a cuppa, get to know and play games with other adult campers, or simply unwind. Adult campers are welcome to leave campus during free time.
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Electives at Border Music Camp are all about exploring, experimenting, and having fun with music! On the first day of camp, students sign up for small group ensembles and get ready to dive in from Monday afternoon.
Options include a dazzling variety of ensembles like flute, clarinet, cello, saxophone, percussion, Celtic ensembles, experimental music, improvisation groups, multimedia groups, choirs, and even hunting horns (yes, really!). Advanced groups like Senior Strings, Senior Winds, and Big Band are allocated during your audition.
These sessions are the perfect chance to try something new or explore a different side of your instrument. The possibilities are endless, enriching, and (most importantly) a whole heap of fun!
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From Monday to Thursday, we have a concert after dinner, just for Campers. You can play solo, or with other students, or with staff. For example, you might get to perform your favourite piece with the backing of a string quartet, a jazz combo or your new friends from Camp. It's a relaxed, friendly environment.
Tutors perform at these concerts too, giving you an example of terrific playing. You can perform with tutors in groups, which is great fun and will teach you a lot about music and performance.
An accompanist is available, so you can play music with piano. Bring your favourite pieces!
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Evenings at Border Music Camp are full of fun for Long-Day and Live-In students, taking place Monday to Thursday after the evening concerts. Activities include a Games Night, Trivia Night, Karaoke, culminating in everyone’s favourite - Big Band Night! Evening activities are a great way to relax, socialise, and enjoy some laughs with friends after a day of music-making.
Adult campers are welcome to join the Thursday Big Band Night, but on Monday to Wednesday they have a dedicated Adult Lounge (a relaxed space with a cuppa and board games) where they can unwind and socialise with fellow adult campers. Adults are free to leave at any time between the end of the evening concert and 9:00 pm, when supper is served.
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The week at Border Music Camp builds to two thrilling public concerts!
Friday Night – Electives Concert
This concert showcases all the amazing work from our electives sessions throughout the week. Short Day, Long Day, and Live-In campers who have been participating in electives will perform a dazzling array of ensembles, from flutes and percussion to Celtic groups, experimental music, and more! Morning-Only campers are warmly invited to buy a ticket and come along to support their friends and experience the creativity and energy of the electives in action.Saturday Night – Final Concert
The celebration of camp, our Saturday concert brings together all campers in a spectacular celebration of music. Students perform in their morning ensembles and the massed choir, creating an unforgettable experience full of energy, harmony, and musical achievement. It’s the highlight of the week; inspiring, exhilarating, and not to be missed!