A growing summer music camp, now entering its third year at St. Francis Xavier University, is continuing to open the door to young musicians of all skill levels, offering an inclusive space where beginners and experienced players learn, perform, and collaborate side by side. It’s also opening opportunity for StFX music students and recent alumni to move into the next stage of their development, sharing their experiences and educating younger students.
This year, from July 26–31, students aged 12 to 18 will gather for either the overnight or day camp experience at the annual StFX Music Camp taking place in Gilmora Hall, home of the StFX Music Department. Overnight campers stay next door at Mount St. Bernard and over the course of the week, all participants rehearse, experiment, and collaborate, building toward a final concert that showcases how they’ve grown.
“It’s a very inclusive environment,” says camp director and StFX music professor Dr. Paul Rushka, who notes campers will be taught by StFX music faculty, professional musicians who are among the best in Canada, as well as recent StFX music graduates and current StFX students.
Each year, a visiting artist joins the camp, offering students a glimpse of life in music, both on stage and beyond it. Past guests have included Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy, as well as Mike Murley. This year, students will meet and learn from acclaimed Mi’kmaw artist and musician Alan Syliboy.
Dr. Rushka says the camp began three years ago to fill a gap. While several classical music camps are offered in the region, there wasn’t a space for young musicians interested in a broad mix of musical styles—rock, jazz, pop, and beyond.
Since its inception, the Summer Music Camp has grown steadily. It began with 20 participants, then climbed to 33 last year. This summer, registration is capped at 40. Participants come from across the province and beyond.
Instead of auditions, students self-identify their skill level when they register. Ensembles are built with a mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced musicians. “It’s a really unique element of our camp and everyone has loved it,” says Dr. Rushka, who notes it contributes to a sense of camaraderie, is more typical to real life, and it gives the more advanced students a chance to move into mentorship roles.
Throughout the week, campers take group masterclasses on their instrument, group lessons in music theory and performance practices, and take part in ensemble sessions, preparing a performance for the final concert at the end of camp.
For StFX music graduates and students, the camp is more than a summer job.
“The teaching role is huge for StFX students,” says Dr. Rushka. “It’s giving them practical experience as an educator in a comfortable environment. It helps them generate income. For these students, it’s an amazing experience.”
The StFX Summer Music Camp, he says, is all about helping young musicians further their skills and about connecting with people who share a joy and passion for music.
