Summer Music Camps
The Nancy W. Knowles Summer Camp Program
Keeping kids social, creative, and engaged in music all summer long!
Summer Music Camps for Kids & Teens
🌞 Summer camps & classes registration now open to the public!
Save $40* when you register by March 31.
Turn up the music this summer with Merit School of Music’s Nancy W. Knowles Summer Camp Program, featuring a wide selection of music camps, classes, and ensembles!
With options for all ages, instruments, and experience levels, summer at Merit is a great way for kids and teens to stay social and creative while school is out.
Your child will have the chance to study with some of the best music educators in the region while having fun and making friends with young music lovers from across Chicago.
*$40 off available through March 31, 2025. Discount automatically applied at checkout. Valid only on summer Early Childhood classes, Instrumental & Vocal Music group classes (West Loop only), and summer camps. Not valid on workshops or private lessons. This discount can be combined with financial aid. Cannot be combined with other discounts.
Summer 2025
Options for All Ages & Experience Levels
- 1-week & 2-week day camps
- Group classes
- Private lessons
- Early Childhood classes
Instruments Offered
Our beginner-friendly camps and classes give aspiring students a creative outlet, and are a fun way to learn to read music and build strong practice habits.
Camp Merit – Choir Track • Cello Classes • Children’s Choir • Guitar Classes • Music Discovery Camp • Piano Classes • Private Lessons • Violin Classes
July 21-25 • Ages 6-8 • $495
This day camp offers a fun and engaging summer experience for young children, fostering a love for music through exploration and hands-on learning. Campers delve into various instruments daily, from piano to percussion, sparking creativity and curiosity.
July 14-25 • Ages 8-16 • $630
Camp Merit brings all of Merit’s large ensembles together for two fun-filled weeks. Campers select a track (Band, Choir, or Orchestra) based on their main area of study as well as electives ranging from African Drumming to Conducting. The Choir Track is open to beginners.
Join young musicians from across Chicagoland for week-long instrument intensives. Camps are led by Merit’s renowned faculty and filled with large group rehearsals, chamber music, and visits from special guest artists.
Clarinet Camp • Flute Camp • Horn Camp • Piano Camp • Trombone Camp • Trumpet Camp • Tuba & Euphonium Camp
Wondering If Merit Is the Right Fit?
Here’s why music lovers of all ages and experience levels choose our day camps.
The Best Music Teachers in Chicago
Merit’s passionate and highly experienced music teachers are some of the best in the region. Parents and students alike say their teachers are what they enjoy and appreciate most about their Merit education.
Jumpstart a New Instrument
Summer is a particularly great time for beginners to pick up an instrument since they aren’t contending with school and homework. Beginners have the time to build strong practice habits and Merit’s fun, supportive environment boosts excitement for their newfound talent.
Prevent Learning Loss & Enhance Skills
For more experienced musicians, continuing music instruction over the summer prevents them from losing the gains they made with their instruments or voice during the school year. They can also build new skills and get creative with their music-making.
Have Fun & Make New Friends
For both new and experienced musicians, a relaxed summer can mean having more fun with music while making friends with young musicians from across Chicago.
Learn more about the benefits of making music over the summer. →
What We've Heard
Take a Behind-the-Scenes Look at Our Music Camps
Summer FAQs
How do Camp Merit tracks & electives work? What electives are available?
Camp Merit is a very special music camp! This summer music camp brings together student musicians from multiple instrument divisions for 2 fun-filled weeks of making music and new friends.
First, each camper selects a Camp Merit track. Choose from:
- Band Track (Brass, Percussion, & Woodwinds)
- Choir Track
- Orchestra Track
Your child’s track will be their main focus of each day. Band and orchestra students who enjoy singing also have the option to add the Choir Track to their schedules.
All campers also get to take two electives during camp. Choose from:
- African Drumming
- Conducting
- Drumline
- Intro to Guitar
- Intro to Improvisation
- Intro to Piano
- Intro to Songwriting
- Musical Theater
Your child does not need any prior experience in their electives of choice—these are meant to help students explore music-making in new ways! When you register, we ask you to choose your top three elective choices and our staff will place students into two of those electives based on availability. Students take both of their electives for one hour each day of camp.
On the last day of camp, campers will get to participate in short performances for both their track and electives.
Do you offer instrument rentals over the summer?
We do! Merit maintains a fleet of over 1,800 instruments which are loaned to students enrolled in programming at little to no cost.
Need help picking out an instrument? Or deciding if music is right for your child?
Check out The Parent’s Guide to Music Classes & Lessons for Kids. It’s a fantastic resource for answering all your questions related to music-making and helping you make the right musical choices for your child.
You can also reach out to our team at studentservices@meritmusic.org. We’re here to help!
How do I register?
We’re so excited to make music with you this summer!
Read step-by-step instructions for registering.
Have questions or need help? We’re here for you! Contact us at studentservices@meritmusic.org.
Still have questions? Visit our FAQs page or contact us at studentservices@meritmusic.org.
Additional Resources
Join Summer 2025
Browse our line-up of camps and classes and then save your spot.
Keep the Music Going!
Summer may be over, but the music never stops at Merit School of Music.
