Rhythm is an essential component of most kinds of music and drummers are invaluable to many kinds of musical groups. Not only do drummers set the timing and pacing of a song (and help other musicians keep with the beat), they also contribute to its feeling, movement and formal composition.

The CMC Atlanta Drum Camp immerses students in a week long program focused on drum technique and musical expression. Students start by getting to know the drum set itself, and they learn how to identify its components, properly assemble, disassemble and set up a kit. The camp curriculum also focuses on stick technique, because whether just beginning or playing for years, stick technique can always be improved upon. Kick pedal technique and basic coordination are included in our studies, too.

While we emphasize by rote learning and feeling rhythmic flow on the drum kit, notation is also a key area of concentration because basic to more advanced rhythmic reading and application is crucial for any drummer, whether they are playing a single surface, pad or snare drum, or splitting rhythms and reading them over an entire drum set with all four limbs.

Finally, Drum Camp also introduces students to a variety of drum styles. To be a versatile musician on the drum set is to learn, listen and investigate many styles of music and the grooves and patterns specific to those styles. Rock, funk, shuffle, swing, reggae, Afro-cuban, blues, second line, drum corps, among many others, all incorporate different musical approaches. Through listening to, learning about, and playing great music, we ourselves can learn from our heroes and keep pushing to create, innovate, and strive to hone our craft as music makers.

Since we group by age and skill level, beginners and more experienced students alike are welcome.

Please note: no camp July 4-5, tuition discount applies

Blues music is one of the the original forms of American music and also an influential foundation for contemporary pop and rock music around the world. Its origins trace back to Africa and Southern Plantations, and it retains a redemptive and transcendental quality from its roots in the songs and field hollers of American slaves and ex-slaves. Blues has roots in religious music, but without Muddy Waters and Bessie Smith, there would be no Rolling Stones or Janelle Monae. Its soulful expressions and innovative stylings have inspired countless of contemporary musicians and artists alike and still make blues music one of the most important (and fun) genres for young musicians to study today.

With this in mind, CMC Atlanta’s Blues Camp takes a historical and contemporary approach towards the blues. Through a combination of private lessons and group activities, students will be immersed in original, early blues music of the past as well as its manifestations throughout musical history. Campers sing, play instruments, and study blues music theory, songwriting and also explore improvisation, one of the most important tools for a blues musician, in group performance projects. Camp includes private lessons (voice or instrumental) and culminates with an informal in-house showcase at each camp location.

If interested, campers are also eligible to join either or both of our two CMC Atlanta Summer Showcases: one will be held at Seven Stages on Saturday, June 30 and the other on Friday, July 20 at Atlanta Music High School (in the North Druid Hills/Brookhaven area). Logistics of the optional Summer Showcase participation are worked out with each camper’s family upon registration. Since we group by age and skill level, beginners and more experienced musicians alike are welcome in our camp.

Please note: no camp July 4-5, discounted tuition applies

Rhythm is an essential component of most kinds of music and drummers are invaluable to many kinds of musical groups. Not only do drummers set the timing and pacing of a song (and help other musicians keep with the beat), they also contribute to its feeling, movement and formal composition.

The CMC Atlanta Drum Camp immerses students in a week long program focused on drum technique and musical expression. Students start by getting to know the drum set itself, and they learn how to identify its components, properly assemble, disassemble and set up a kit. The camp curriculum also focuses on stick technique, because whether just beginning or playing for years, stick technique can always be improved upon. Kick pedal technique and basic coordination are included in our studies, too.

While we emphasize by rote learning and feeling rhythmic flow on the drum kit, notation is also a key area of concentration because basic to more advanced rhythmic reading and application is crucial for any drummer, whether they are playing a single surface, pad or snare drum, or splitting rhythms and reading them over an entire drum set with all four limbs.

Finally, Drum Camp also introduces students to a variety of drum styles. To be a versatile musician on the drum set is to learn, listen and investigate many styles of music and the grooves and patterns specific to those styles. Rock, funk, shuffle, swing, reggae, Afro-cuban, blues, second line, drum corps, among many others, all incorporate different musical approaches. Through listening to, learning about, and playing great music, we ourselves can learn from our heroes and keep pushing to create, innovate, and strive to hone our craft as music makers.

Since we group by age and skill level, beginners and more experienced students alike are welcome.

Please note: no camp July 4

8:00-9:00:

• Check in: students sign in, put their things away and then have quiet choices until 9:00am.

9:00 - 10:15:

• Circle time, gather students, learn names. 
• Go over music center inside boundaries and expectations.
• Go over what is percussion and drums are, History of Drums, drum timeline.
• Watch Intro to Percussion video. 

10:15-10:45:

• Morning snack. 
• Go over outside expectations and boundaries.  

10:45-12:00:

• Learn about the parts of the drum set.
• Watch Neil Peart drum solo.
• Create your own drum set puzzle.

12:00-1:00: 

• Lunch and outside/free choice time.

1:00-2:15:  

• EveryDay Sing, drum set.

2:15-2:45:

• Afternoon snack.

2:30-4:00: 

• Note values and music notation. 
• Teach rhythm patterns by rote. 

4:00-6:00:

• Free choices and practicing

8:00-9:00:

• Check in: students sign in, put their things away and then have quiet choices until 9:00am.

9:00 - 10:15:

• Circle time, gather students, learn names. 
• Go over music center inside boundaries and expectations.
• What is the Blues?
• Go over treble and bass clef.

10:15-10:45:

• Morning snack. 
• Go over outside expectations and boundaries.  

10:45-12:00:

• EveryDay Sing.  Include major, minor, and blues scales. 
• One Shoe Blues.

12:00-1:00: 

• Lunch and outside/free choice time.

1:00-2:15:  

• Rhythm games.
• More games.

2:15-2:45:

• Afternoon snack.

2:30-4:00: 

• 12 bar blues patterns.  In C is easiest.  Can use Boomwhackers, Hopscotch, other instruments.  All activities found under Blues SCK.

4:00-6:00:

• Free choices and practicing

Blues Camp in L5P