Reflections on the 2007 UCLA Summer Music Academy
By Dr. Jennifer Snow

The Summer Music Academy 2007 was an outstanding success with participants coming from as far away as China, Korea, and Canada as well as, Texas and the entire state of California. This year the program focused on Chamber Music as Collaborative Performance. We had all instruments represented including harp, percussion, strings, brass, woodwinds, and piano. Working with UCLA Summer Sessions, the Academy offered broad musical experiences, cultural opportunities, and enjoyable social activities.

The students had an intensive and exciting week. They were organized into chamber groups and learned new pieces, with new players, in a very short time. The final concert was a testament to all of their hard work, and the work of the teachers, as it showcased major chamber pieces, a wide range of repertoire, musical combinations, jazz, and the group drum circle! The parents and audience were clearly impressed as they gave the performers thunderous applause with a standing ovation.

The SMA 2007 also included a wide range of master classes and workshops by UCLA faculty who are some of the world’s greatest musicians. We had enlightening sessions on film music and composition by Prof. Paul Chihara, excellence in performance with Prof. Gary Gray, Dr. Doug Massak, Prof. Sheridan Stokes, and Prof. Neal Stulburg and following your passion in the music business with Prof. Jens Lindemann. The SMA 2007 had a terrific faculty and staff. With Dr. Dan Cummings as the assistant to the director, the program was enjoyable as well as diverse. Woodwinds were led by Dr. Chelsea Howell with Matt Sandler and Penelope Turgeon, Brass by Dr. Nathan Sobieralski, Strings by Lauren Deutsh with Maggie Hummel, percussion with Lorry Black, jazz with Matt Sandler, and piano by myself with the exceptional work of Dr. Dan Cummings, Ikumi Hiraiwa and Cindy Tseng. Our lead dorm counselor, James Llamas was amazing in keeping everything running smoothly with lots of fun!

Participants were treated to a recital performed by the faculty all of whom are UCLA graduates or current students in the music department. In addition to all the lessons, coachings, rehearsals, masterclasses and performances, the participants also explored theater with Prof. Kevin Kane and the full group drum circle with Jennifer Jester.
To complement all the musical aspects, the participants had the opportunity to experience UCLA life and some of the greatest cultural offerings of Los Angeles. We attended the Hollywood Bowl where everyone was overwhelmed by the marvelous musicians and the final fireworks timed perfectly to Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. We visited the Getty Museum, Santa Monica Pier, and Westwood. There were also many social activities including Karaoke, the pizza party, and of course the infamous Talent Show which brought the house down!

Plans for next year’s program are well under way. We have a new name and date set–UCLA Summer Chamber Music Institute, July 5-13, 2008. Please visit http://www.summer.ucla.edu/institutes/Music/overview.htm for updates and information.

The most exciting part of SMA 2007 was meeting and working with all the wonderful students from around the state, country, and world. This was the most amazing group of young artists who worked tirelessly with passion and enthusiasm all week.

As Director, I was thrilled with the work, level of performances, professionalism of participants, and the fun and enjoyment we all had as a group. The theme of our week together focused on my daily group question and enthusiastic response:

What do you love?

“Chamber Music!!!”