MCS offers unique music experiences this summer

The Music Conservatory has been a gift to the Sandpoint community since it first opened in September 2009. Over the last 14 years, nearly 5,000 students have passed through its doors and have enhanced not only their musical and creative skills but also formed lifelong friendships.

With a mission to instruct and inspire excellence in the performing arts, including music, theater, and all expressive art forms, founder and Executive Director Karin Wedemeyer says the Conservatory endeavors to create a welcoming environment and promote collaboration rather than competition.

“The Conservatory is a home away from home where students can form relationships with like-minded young musicians and mentors," Wedemeyer said. “This interactive environment where knowledge and skill building crosses generational bridges is an asset to any society that needs forces to bring it back together in times where we all drift apart.”

This summer, MCS is offering an Early Childhood Summer Academy from June 19 -30. This "Little Mozarts" class will take place in Lakeview Park and is open to children from the age of walking to 4 years old. There will be two 45-minute-long sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There will also be an Instrument Carousel for children 4 to 7 years of age that will take place Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Those, too, will be 45 minutes long and will take place at the Music Conservatory.

Another inspiring program the Sandpoint Music Conservatory offers is the Summer Academy. This year, they offer two sessions, each two weeks long, with different majors and electives in each session. The first session is July 10-21 and includes majors in piano, percussion ukulele, music theory, marimba, musical theater, and flute.

The second session, from July 31 to Aug. 11, will offer a unique opportunity for students to be led by guest conductor Shira Samuels-Shragg. “Shira comes highly recommended by James Lowe, the conductor for the Spokane Symphony,” said Wedemeyer, adding that Samuels-Shragg took part in the Spokane Symphony’s conductor workshop.

Samuels-Shragg currently is the assistant conductor of the Plano Symphony Orchestra in Texas where she also leads the Plano Symphony Orchestra in their education concerts for more than 17,000 students. Her experience includes being the assistant conductor for Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra of the USA in 2022. In May 2022, she graduated with her Master of Music in orchestral conducting from the Julliard School.

Auditions for this two-week session are open to students 9 years of age and older, and there will likely be two groups — a beginner and an intermediate to advanced group. The Summer Academy will culminate with a concert at the Panida Theater for the entire community to enjoy.

“Most of our students in Sandpoint do not have the opportunity to be part of a big orchestra,” said Wedemeyer, adding that many are used to performing with smaller groups such as a string quartet. This will be an enriching experience for all who participate.

The first week of the July 31 Academy will be led by Sylvia Ranette, who is head of the strings department at the Sandpoint Music Conservatory. The guest conductor will arrive in the second week of the session.

The session costs $225 with classes from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. In the past, students have taken part in Music Without Borders, which brings in other young musicians from places such as Mexico. In 2021, they also had a guest conductor, Jan Pellant, from Prague.

“It does so much to broaden our horizons to bring in people of different cultures,” Wedemeyer said.

In addition to the Youth Orchestra portion, this two-week session will offer classes for those in the following majors: choir, music theory, and guitar.

The Music Conservatory is a nonprofit organization that works to enhance the performing arts in Sandpoint. They have taken great pride in not raising prices with the conviction that it is essential to create excellence with accessibility.

“We do not want to put financial barriers on our programs,” said Wedemeyer. “In doing so, we would miss out on the wealth of talent in our area. We need to have art accessible to all.”

While they do offer scholarships and tuition assistance, the music conservatory's ability to do so relies on grants and donations. There are several areas of music and performing arts, with 22 instructors, including string, theater, voice, piano, orchestra, and contemporary music. Among the programs offered are Music Matters! After School Initiative, Early Childhood – Little Mozarts, and Honors track.

To learn more, log onto sandpointconservatory.org or contact them at msc@sandpointconservatory.org or call 208-265-4444.