SUMMER EXTRAVAGANZA

June 15–19, 2026

Registration for the 2026 MYS Summer Extravaganza is now open!

Join us for this vibrant and immersive weeklong day camp for orchestral musicians entering grades 3–HS grad.

Experience full rehearsals, sectionals, music history classes, and guest artist performances. The week culminates in an informal concert on Friday at 12:00 PM that is open to the public.

  • Location: Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center, 130 S Macalester St, St. Paul, MN 55105

  • Schedule: 9:00 AM–3:00 PM Monday–Thursday; 9:00 AM–1:00 PM Friday

  • Tuition: $450 camp fee. Financial assistance is available and can be requested when registering. A 10% sibling discount is offered to families enrolling multiple students.

Summer String Orchestra

This ensemble is designed for advanced beginner/intermediate string musicians entering grades 3–9 (Suzuki Books 2–3). It is open to violin, viola, cello, and bass players. No audition is required for placement in the String Orchestra.

  • Director: Sophia Butler

  • Registration Deadline: Monday, June 1. Positions are limited—early registration is encouraged.

Register

Beethoven Chamber Orchestra

This select ensemble is designed for advanced string, woodwind, brass, and percussion musicians at the Repertory Orchestra level or above. This ensemble will rehearse and perform selections of chamber orchestra pieces including Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2. Due to the instrumentation of the chamber orchestra, a limited number of positions are available (see instrumentation below).

  • Director: Mark Mandarano

  • Priority registration is now open to members of MYS Repertory and Symphony Orchestras. The priority registration deadline is March 21, 2026. A $100 deposit will be due by March 31 to hold the priority spot.

  • General registration for students not currently enrolled in MYS Repertory or Symphony Orchestras opens April 1. Students will submit a brief video recording for placement in the Chamber Orchestra, to be reviewed in the order received. Once accepted, a $100 non-refundable deposit will be due to hold the spot. See below for video submission instructions.

  • Registration Deadline: Monday, June 1.

Register

Chamber Orchestra Instrumentation

Chamber Orchestra Instrumentation

  • 16 Violins

  • 5 Violas

  • 6 Cellos

  • 3 Basses

  • 2 flute

  • 2 oboes

  • 2 clarinets* (positions full—waitlist only)

  • 2 bassoons

  • 2 horns

  • 2 trumpets

  • timpani

Video Submission Instructions (opens April 1)

  • Purpose: Students not currently in MYS Repertory or Symphony Orchestras will submit a brief video recording for placement in the Beethoven Chamber Orchestra. This recording helps ensure participants have the necessary skill level to be successful playing the repertoire at camp. This is not a competitive audition and perfection is not expected. Audition materials will be published the last week of March.

  • Timeline: Positions are filled in the order the registrations are received, so we encourage you to apply early. The registration deadline is Monday, June 1.

  • Process: The recording will consist of two scales (except timpani) and a short excerpt. Download the materials for your instrument (Audition materials will be published the last week of March.) Email us a link to your video (shared file or unlisted YouTube video) when you register.