Racer Instrumental Music Academy

Summer Camp Tuition

$550 for Resident Campers (stay in a double-occupancy dorm room, participate in all activities, and receive three meals per day in the campus cafeteria).

$450 for Commuter Campers (participate in all activities and receive lunch and dinner daily in the campus cafeteria if desired).

A $150 deposit is required to reserve your camper's spot. Please note that this deposit is non-refundable. Instructions for paying the remaining balance will be emailed to you in the coming months.

Important: If the $150 deposit is not paid at the time of registration, your camper’s spot will not be officially reserved.

After filling out the registration form at the top of this page, a URL will appear to take you to the payment page.

To reserve your spot at camp, a $150 nonrefundable deposit is required at registration. You may pay the full amount now if you will not apply for a scholarship. If you will apply for a scholarship, only pay the deposit now. All families with outstanding balances will be contacted in the spring to pay their remaining amount.

All credit card payments over $150 are subject to a $15 transaction fee. However, card payments are recommended if you are paying your full amount because they are the only method of payment eligible for a partial refund (minus $150) if you withdraw from camp (including unforeseen circumstances like injuries, illness, emergency, etc). Checks, WebChecks, and cash payments are non-refundable.

Deadline to register is May 9, 2025. Cancellations must be emailed to the msu.youthprograms@murraystate.edu by May 9, 2025 to qualify for a partial refund (minus the non-refundable $150 deposit). No refunds will be issued after May 9, 2025.

Summer Camp Scholarships

2025 All-State Participants can receive a $100 scholarship.

1. First, register and pay your $150 deposit.
2. Then email the Camp Director at tfrench10@murraystate.edu to verify your attendance at one of the below All-States and receive your scholarship.
3. Once you've received your scholarship, you can pay the remaining amount of your tuition.

• KMEA All-State Participant (Kentucky)
• ILMEA All-State Participant (Illinois)
• IMEA All-State Participant (Indiana)
• MMEA All-State Participant (Missouri)
• TMEA All-State Participant (Tennessee)

Sunday

2:00 - 3:30 p.m. — CHECK-IN and move-in to residential hall

3:00 - 4:45 p.m. — Chair Placement Auditions - Fine Arts Center

5:00 - 5:45 p.m. — DINNER and Faculty/Staff Introductions - Lovett Stage

5:45 - 6:30 p.m. — Murray State Campus Tour

6:30 - 7:45 p.m. — Large Band Rehearsal – Lovett Stage

8:00 -10:00 p.m. — Meet & Greet - “Getting to know your fellow musicians”

10:00 p.m. — Mandatory Dorm Meeting - Large Meeting Area

Monday – Friday

7:30 - 8:20 a.m. — BREAKFAST - Dining Hall

8:30 - 8:55 a.m. — Morning Warm-ups - Instrument Locations

9:00-10:10 a.m. — Large Band Rehearsal - Lovett Stage

10:15-11:30 a.m. — Chamber Ensembles - Instrument Locations

11:30-1:00 p.m. — LUNCH - Dining Hall

1:00 - 1:55 p.m. — Musicianship Seminar - FA 546

2:00 - 2:50 p.m. — Sectionals - Instrument Locations

3:00 - 4:30 p.m. — Large Band Rehearsal - Lovett Stage

4:30 - 5:30 p.m. — FREE TIME/Private Lessons

5:30 - 6:30 p.m. — DINNER - Dining Hall

7:00 - 8:30 p.m. — Evening Activities (Recitals, Bowling, Talent Shows, etc.)

8:30 -10:00 p.m. — FREE TIME

Saturday

7:30 - 8:00 a.m. — BREAKFAST - Lovett Walkway

8:00 - 9:15 a.m. — Large Band Dress Rehearsal - Lovett Stage

9:30 -10:15 a.m. — CHECK-OUT of Dorms - Residential Hall

10:00-10:45 a.m. — WARM-UP ROOM - Band Room 

11:00 a.m. — CONCERT - Lovett Auditorium (enter through front)

• Concert Band: Be part of a large concert band and prepare a variety of fun and challenging band literature, culminating with a final Saturday morning showcase concert.

• Chamber Ensembles: Participate in small chamber ensembles concentrating on chamber music literature. Emphasis will be placed upon developing chamber ensemble performance skills.

• Master Classes: Participate in studio master classes designed to foster musical growth through the art of performance in a positive and supportive atmosphere. Topics of study may include: concept of sound, embouchure, breathing, phrasing, intonation, styles, technique, solo repertoire, recordings, pedagogy, and equip.m.ent.

• Musicianship Seminars: Learn various musical topics throughout the week taught by Murray State Faculty including How to Practice, Overcoming Performance Anxiety, The Healthy Musician, Careers in Music, and more.

• Private Lesson: An opportunity to take private lessons with Murray State wind and percussion faculty. All private lessons will be an extra cost to the camper ($20 for a 30 minute lesson). Email the Camp Director to book a private lesson.

Taught and coached by Murray State music faculty, students will learn the art of instrumental performance through master classes, music seminars, chamber ensembles, and private lessons.

• Flute - Kristen Swisher 
• Oboe/Bassoon - Dr. Stephanie Carlson 
• Clarinet - Dr. Amy McCann
• Saxophone - Dr. Lucas Hopkins
• Trumpet - Dr. Eric Swisher
• French Horn - Dr. Ashley Cumming
• Trombone - Dr. Chris Sharpe
• Tuba/Euphoniums - Dr. Todd M. French and Micah Crouse
• Percussion - Conner Viets

When campers arrive on Sunday, they will participate in a chair placement audition. This audition will determine their placement in the large band. Faculty will select audition music and students will have the opportunity to practice the repertoire and prepare for the audition before arriving. Audition music will be upload May 1, 2025

• Bassoon
• Clarinet
• Euphonium
• Flute
• French Horn
• Oboe
• Percussion - Mallet
• Percussion - Snare
• Saxophone - Soprano, Alto, Tenor, or Bari
• Bass Trombone
• Tenor Trombone
• Trumpet
• Tuba

What's the difference between resident and commuter campers?

Resident campers will stay in a room in the residence hall with a roommate. Camp counselors are located in nearby rooms and the residence hall has a front desk that's staffed 24/7 if you need assistance. Resident campers will be given a room key they are responsible for keeping all week. If the key is lost, the camper's family is responsible for the replacement fee. Commuter campers will return home each evening and commute to campus in the mornings. Commuter campers should contact the Camp Director to arrange a daily arrival/departure plan. Commuter campers are welcome to join all three meals in the cafeteria, but some choose eat breakfast and/or dinner at home. Commuter campers are welcome to join for evening activities.

Can I room with my friend?

There is a space on the registration form for roommate requests. You may list your friend's name there. We honor all possible roommate requests. In the event your roommate request can not be granted, we will do our best to place your rooms near each other. Residence halls have several communal spaces where campers may socialize. Generally, we try to place campers of similar genders and ages near each other in the residence hall, but it is not guaranteed. Final placements are not made until after registration closes due to varying camper numbers, building layouts, and other factors.

Do I turn in my medication?

Generally, campers are responsible for keeping and managing their own medications. If you would like assistance (such as a daily reminder to take your medication), please contact the Camp Director to discuss options for how RIMA staff can support you during your stay.

Can I park on campus?

Yes. Adults can park near the residence hall during opening day check-in. Some campers may have their own vehicle. You may drive yourself to campus and park near the residence hall. Campers are not permitted to drive during the week and keys may be collected by RIMA staff. Commuter campers may be dropped off or may drive themselves. Contact the Camp Director to determine where you should park your vehicle for your daily commutes. 

Avoid a ticket! Check back here in the spring to register your vehicle to park on campus.

Is the Saturday concert open to the public?

Yes! We welcome family and friends to celebrate with us. The performance will take place in one of our performance halls on campus. Convenient parking is located near 15th St. & Olive Blvd.. Be sure to register your vehicle using the link above.