Summer Music Composition Institute/Camp Information
Directions:
If you intend to drive here, click on this link for detailed directions. Our first meeting will be in Presser Hall. The dormitory in which you will reside is Dodds Hall.
If you intend to fly here, you will want to make the connections you will need to make in order to arrive at the Central Illinois Regional Airport here in Bloomington, Illinois. Since check-in will be at 4:00 on the first day, you should try to arrive in the morning or, preferably, in the early afternoon, if possible. If this is not possible, please inform Dr. Pelusi. Also, the airport is only a 15-minute cab ride from the University, but if we know in advance what time you will arrive (and know your flight number and cell phone number), we will arrange to meet you at the airport.
With regard to location, Illinois Wesleyan University is situated in a very lovely and safe urban environment. Participants are not permitted to leave campus unless escorted by a member of the Composition Institute staff. All class activities will be held in Presser Hall.
A Typical Daily Schedule:
The days are highly structured with classes, breaks, meals, and recreation time, all of which are supervised. Note: After you register, you will be sent a detailed schedule for each day that will include the subjects for each class, times for private composition lessons, room locations, etc.
Breakfast: 7:00 – 8:00
Free time: 8:00 – 8:30
Class: 8:30 – 10:00
Break: 10:00 - 10:15
Class: 10:15 – 11:30
Free time: 11:30 – 11:45
Lunch/recreation: 11:45
Class: 1:30 – 3:00
Break: 3:00 – 3:15
Class: 3:15 - 4:30
Composing time: 4:30 – 5:30
Dinner: 5:45
Recreation: 7:00 – 8:00 *
Free time: 8:00 – 8:30
Composing time: 8:30 – 10:00
Free time/recreation: 10:00 – 11:00 **
* In the Shirk Center for Athletics and Recreation, activities include basketball, volleyball, indoor badminton, indoor soccer, and dodgeball are available. There will also be two ice cream socials: one on the first night (Sunday) and one on Friday night.
** Many different activities are available during the late evening free period; for example, billiards, foosball, television, movies, a variety of board games, etc.
The program will culminate on Friday with the live performance and recording of each participant’s original composition.
Housing:
Each student will be assigned to his or her own private room. Dodds Hall has suites in which there are four lockable bedrooms and a shared bath in each suite. All of the men and a male IWU student staff member will reside on their own floor in the dormitory, and all of the women and a female IWU staff member will reside on their own floor in the dormitory.
What to bring:
All linens will be provided. If you wish to bring your own pillow, you may do so, but pillows will also be provided. With the exceptions of pencils, pens, and writing paper (please bring these items with you so that you can take notes), all class materials will be provided. Please bring clothes that can be worn while participating in any of the recreational activities cited above. Of course, you should bring toiletries and any additional personal items you may want to have with you (for example, a computer, musical instruments, etc.). Essentially, you can bring most anything you wish as long as you can carry it into your room. Please note that the University cannot be held responsible for the loss of personal items. Also, please remember that all lunches and dinners are pre-paid, but that you will need to purchase breakfast; therefore, please bring some cash with you for this purpose or for any other personal purchases you may wish to make while you are here with us in Bloomington. Note: if you have any dietary restrictions, please inform Dr. Pelusi.
Finally, each participant will compose an original work of music while here in our program, and this composition will be notated on a computer using the Finale music notation software program (the computers are located in our two computer labs). If you use a computer music notation program other than Finale, we will provide detailed instructions on how to use Finale. If you are familiar with another program (e.g., Sibelius) and want to use only Sibelius or a different program while you are here, you are welcome to bring this program loaded on your own laptop (and you can work in one of our practice rooms). Also, if you own Finale and would like to work on your music in a practice room rather than in the computer lab, please bring it loaded on your own laptop.