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
🌞 Save the Dates for Summer 2026!
Group Classes & Private Lessons: Begins June 8
Brass Camps: June 22 – 26
Piano Camps: Two sessions!
Session 1: June 22 – 26
Session 2: July 6 – 10
Woodwind Camps: July 6 – 10
Camp Merit (Band, Choir, & Orchestra): July 13 – 24
Music Discovery Camp (Ages 6-8): Two sessions!
Session 1: July 13 – 17
Session 2: July 20 – 24
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.
Summer 2025 May Be Over, but the Music Never Stops!
Summer 2026
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
NEW This Summer: Two Sessions!
Session 1: July 13-17, 2026
Session 2: July 20-24, 2026
This week-long day camp offers a fun and engaging summer experience for young children, fostering a love for music through exploration and hands-on learning. Campers explore various instruments daily, from piano to percussion, sparking creativity and curiosity!
July 13-24, 2026 • Ages 8-16
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.
Brass Camps: June 22-26, 2026
Woodwind Camps: July 6-10, 2026
Piano Camps: Two Sessions!
Session 1: June 22-26, 2026
Session 2: July 6-10, 2026
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.
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.
Prevent Learning Loss & Enhance Skills
More experienced student musicians can prevent learning loss, build new skills, and explore music-making in new ways.
Have Fun & Make New Friends
A relaxed summer means having more fun with music while making friends with young musicians from across Chicago.
As a non-profit music school, we’re dedicated to making high-quality instruction accessible to all.
We offer financial aid, payment plans, and low-cost instrument rentals.
What We've Heard
Summer FAQs
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!
Do you offer financial aid or payment plans?
As a non-profit music school, we’re dedicated to making high-quality instruction accessible to all. We offer:
- Financial aid—up to 80% off group classes, summer camps, and private lessons for qualifying families
- Payment plans
- Low-cost instrument rentals
Do you offer instrument rentals over the summer?
We do! Merit maintains a fleet of over 1,800 instruments, which students enrolled in programming can rent for an affordable monthly rate.
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.
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
Want to Know More About Summer Programming?
Which summer class or camp is right for my child? What’s the best age to start learning music? Fill out this form to receive guidance from our music education specialists right in your inbox.
Summer may be over, but the music never stops at Merit School of Music.
Join Summer 2025
Browse our line-up of camps and classes and then save your spot.
