Your child can help fill some of the few open spots available during Birch Creek Music Performance Center’s academy sessions this summer. Students from across the Midwest come to Egg Harbor every summer for the immersive music experience, beginning many days with rehearsals and private lessons before performing in front of packed houses at night. While some instrument groups fill up almost immediately, others, like oboe, clarinet, and bassoon, are still in need of players to fill the ensemble. Birch Creek Music Performance Center Executive Director Emeritus Mona Christensen believes part of the problem still dates back to the pandemic, where restrictions caused some kids to start late, if at all. Christensen says others do not think they are good enough to audition or cannot afford to attend. In her eyes, that is not the case.

Christensen adds that many potential students will participate in next weekend’s state solo and ensemble contest hosted at UW-Green Bay. She encourages kids to send in their application and audition materials right away to ensure they will have a spot when the percussion session begins on June 19th, the symphony session on July 3rd, and the big band jazz session on July 16th. You can listen to our full interview with Christensen online using this link.