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

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 - 9:15:

• Circle time, gather students, learn names.  Go over music center inside boundaries and expectations. Video; Meet the Orchestra.  

9:15-10:15:

• EveryDay Sing: Viva la Vida, Waving Flag, Cripple Creek, and Country Roads. 
• Please add in other songs as you want/need. 
• The four songs listed here can be played on open strings and/or first position.  

10:15-10:45:

• Morning fruit break. 
• Go over outside expectations, and boundaries.

10:45-12:00:

• Review solfege, note names, treble, bass, and alto clef, staff, lines and spaces, etc.  Queen Treble/King Bass song. 
• Worksheets for treble, bass, and alto clef.  
• Fingerboard for all stringed instruments.

12:00-1:00: 

• Lunch and outside/free choice time.

1:00-2:00:

• Go over the parts of the violin. 
• Viola will be the same. 
• Cello and bass add in the end pin. 
• Make Puff Ball Monsters.  

2:00-2:30:

• Afternoon fruit break. 

2:30-4:00:

• Learn bow holds;  for violin and viola, and cello. 
• Play four corners with violin music, pointing bows instead of moving bodies. 
• Pass toilet paper tubes back and forth (using tip of the bow).  

4:00-6:00:

• Free choices and practicing

Atlanta Music High 

Session 1: July 8-12

Session 2: July 15-19

Session 3: July 22-26

CMC Atlanta Summer Showcase Performances:

Saturday, June 29, 2019 @ 7Stages Theatre, Little 5 Points (evening)

Friday, July 26, 2019  @ Atlanta Music High School/Rivers Academy, North Druid Hills/Brookhaven (evening)