FAQ
Important Dates
When is the Stangeland Family Youth Choral Academy?
June 28 – July 8, 2025
When is the Jazz Improvisation Camp?
July 20-25, 2025
When is the UO String Intensive?
August 4-10, 2025
Getting Here
Driving
The University of Oregon is conveniently located 3 miles off I-5, 60 miles from the Oregon coast, and 90 miles from Portland.
Planes and Trains
The City of Eugene is easily reached by air (EUG) and by Amtrak.
Bus
If you are traveling from Portland, Tualatin, Woodburn, Salem or Albany, POINT Bus is an option. It travels directly to and from the UO Campus and tickets are purchased through Amtrak. If traveling from Corvallis, FLiXBUS travels to and from the UO Campus. UO and the School of Music and Dance are not associated with these transportation options.
Ground Transportation at Camp
Choral Academy participates are transported to and from the airport by Oregon Bach Festival staff and volunteers at no charge. String Intensive and Jazz Camp participants may arrange for transportation with a program coordinator at a cost of $25 roundtrip.
Parking
There is no overnight parking available to music camp participants. We ask that you don’t bring a car to your program. If you choose to bring a car and park, you are solely responsible for the vehicle and its parking fees.
Arriving Early/Staying Late
Participants arriving the day before their program begins, or leaving a day late, may stay extra nights. Nightly prices vary based on dorm location and occupancy. Ask you program coordinator about pricing. Note: All students flying into Eugene should be on a flight scheduled to arrive no later than 10:00pm and depart no earlier than 8:00am (if possible).
Misc.
What Should I Bring?
Each student will receive a room key and a meal card. NOTE: Unthank Hall provides sheets, pillows, a light blanket, a bath towel, shampoo/conditioner, and body wash. Be sure to label all personal items. Additionally, participants should bring:
- Your instrument
- All String and Jazz participants must provide their own instrument.
- Jazz drummers should bring their own drum set and cymbals and enough sticks and brushes to last the week. Double-check for your hi-hat clutch.
- Jazz bass and guitar players should bring their own instruments, amps, and cables.
- Extra reeds, valve oil, bow strings, etc.
- Mutes
- Padlocks for instrument lockers
- Folder, paper, and pencil for sheet music
- Toiletries, including sunscreen
- Any required medications/supplements
- Clothes, including concert dress
- 1-2 pair of comfortable walking shoes (you will be walking a lot)
- Flip flops for shower (if desired)
- Reusable water bottle
- Cellphone & charger for use during designated times.
- Small amount of spending money (if desired)
- DO NOT BRING: pets, firearms, lighters, knives, scissors, fireworks, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, juul (or other vaping), marijuana, or illegal drugs of any kind
What is a typical day at a UO summer music program?
The schedules for each program vary daily. Residential participants wake up at approximately 7am, have breakfast, and begin learning sessions promptly at 8:30am. Participants attended rehearsals, masterclasses, lectures, social activities, and professional performances, as well as eat meals and enjoy free time throughout the day. Lights out is generally 10-11pm.
Are there laundry facilities?
Washers and dryers are available on each floor, as well as an iron. Washers cost $1.50 per load (paid by a laundry card). Dryers are free.
Are visitors allowed?
We do not allow drop-in visitors. If you need to visit your camper during program hours, please make arrangements with our Program Coordinator. Guests are encouraged to attended public performances.
Who staffs UO summer music programs?
In addition to our full-time, year-round, professional program coordinators and faculty, UO summer music programs employ a corps of college students. Student employees are positive, diverse, and highly motivated. They bring enthusiasm and a breadth of life experiences to each program. All college employees are selected from a competitive field of applicants and have cleared criminal background checks and a youth protection course. All staff are mandatory reporters. College employees are CPR and First Aid certified and complete a thorough training program covering program philosophy, developmental needs of student participants, risk and behavior management, and emergency procedures. Most importantly, college employees make it their mission to create a fun, safe, inclusive, and memorable experience for every participant!
Health
What are your rules and regulations around contagious illnesses?
SOMD illness policies are determined by the University of Oregon, which follows public health guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Oregon Department of Human Services.
What if my student takes medication?
Please provide information on the digital health form about any prescription medicines that your student is bringing, with details about dosage and schedule of medication. We encourage students to bring only the medications and/or supplements required to be taken during specified program hours. All medication/supplements must be in the original container with the student’s name, the dose, the expiration date, and the medication name. Over-the-counter medications can be administered under the same conditions.
A note about insulin shots: for medical and safety reasons, UO employees will not administer insulin shots or medications requiring similar procedures unless the student is unresponsive. We will work with you and your student’s medical providers to explore other reasonable accommodations.
What if my student becomes sick or injured?
Minor emergencies will be handled by a doctor at Best Med Urgent Care, Patterson clinic. Major emergencies will be handled by the Emergency Room at Sacred Heart Medical Center RiverBend. Parents are expected to carry their own medical and dental insurance for their children. All costs for medical treatment are the responsibility of the parent.
Participants will be sent home if they have any of the following symptoms:
- Fever of 101F+ degrees
- Prolonged diarrhea or nausea
- Vomiting
- Severe cough
- Unusual yellow color to skin or eyes
- Difficult breathing or abnormal wheezing
- Complaints of severe pain
If these symptoms arise, a parent or guardian will be contacted to pick up the student. If your student has had any of the above symptoms, they cannot return to the program until they have been “symptom free” for at least 24 hours without the help of medications (48 hours for vomiting and diarrhea).
If a student falls ill or is injured at a UO Summer Music Camp, our employees will make every attempt to contact a parent/guardian and/or emergency contact. We will take all necessary precautions to ensure students receive proper medical attention.
What if My Student Has Allergies?
Please provide UO Summer Music Camp employees with written instructions stating what the allergy is, what level of exposure prompts a reaction, and which symptoms prompt which response, including the plan of action if your student is exposed to the allergen. UO Summer Music Camp employees will go over this with you prior to the first day.