Striking the Right Chord

Leslie Whelan, Education Director of the SSO and Director of ACSMC, glows when reflecting on the past three summers, “We knew going into this that it was going to be most students’ first experience, and most families’ first encounter with this kind of thing. And so, I think we wanted to make it approachable and accessible.” She is the heart of the camp, which grew from her initiative with the SSO in 2021 to establish an educational program for aspiring musicians in middle and high school in the region. “The return rate has been amazing. We have captured that particular audience of kids who have always wanted this or didn’t know it was what they wanted. They get here and realize they’re among like-minded peers. They can do music all day, every day, without worrying about the competing interests or demands of school.”

In true liberal arts fashion, students at the camp are invited to explore a range of topics alongside music. This year, presentations were given by faculty outside of the Music Department—such as Associate Professor of Media Studies Dr. Erin Copple Smith’s session on “Film Music” and Associate Professor of Anthropology Dr. Brian Watkins’s session on “Anthropology of World Music”—harmonizing with the camp’s goal of offering a holistic view on education. “If they can just meet another person, have another encounter with a college professor who’s a regular human being, but happens to study something different—they can be exposed to something new and interesting,” said Whelan when describing her hope for the campers. This year, the camp also invited four recent alumni, now working in music-related fields, to lead a panel sharing their insights into ways they use their musical talents in the workforce in both traditional and nontraditional “music” jobs—giving the campers a glimpse into their potential futures.

Daniel Dominick, conductor of the SSO and Austin College Music Department Chair, directs the strings ensembles of the camp and has a deep admiration for ACSMC. He sees ACSMC as the foundation for the Music Department to open the door to the greater Texoma community. “We want to be supporting our faculty (inside the Music Department and out) to get involved in local middle and high schools. The ensembles in those schools will be at a higher level, and music, alongside the community, will grow.” He asserted, “Whether you care about music or not, the Music Department is doing innovative, new things with the ACSMC.”

Looking ahead to summer 2025, the camp will take place June 9–15, offering familiar electives such as Jazz Improv, and new opportunities to discover how music influences more than students may realize. Whelan, Dominick, and the faculty and staff of ACSMC look forward to welcoming familiar faces from summers past, as well as new campers stepping into the camp for the first time.

The Austin College campus will continue to reverberate with mellifluous melodies in the otherwise sweltering summers, thanks to ACSMC.