Birch Creek Music Performance Center, Inc.

I first began attending Birch Creek concerts about 8 years ago. I never knew how wonderful a symphony could sound played by middle school and high schoolers. The next year I attended a jazz concert and the next a percussion concert. What the faculty does with those young ladies and young men is astounding! I am so proud that our little Door County is the location for such a venue. Keep up the great work Birch Creek!

Perfect place for a youth to find his/her niche in the guidance of career greats. All with a single purpose, to share their gifts. Excellent end of session concerts! Perfect backdrop for a great community.

Hi:

I've been on the jazz teaching faculty at Birch Creek Music Performance Center for almost 15 years. It is such a positive force in the lives of the young musicians who come there each summer. They are immersed in the art of jazz music, challenged and lovingly supported by the faculty, led by Jazz Program Director Jeff Campbell, and a 100% committed staff, led by Executive Director Mona Christensen. It's a marvelous place to be involved with, and for as long as I'm able, I'll continue to be a part of Birch Creek.

Michael Stryker, D.M.A.
Professor, Jazz Piano
Associate Director, WIU Jazz Program
School of Music
Western Illinois University
309.298.1544 (Office)
585.315.2371 (Cell)
MS-Stryker@wiu.edu

For more than 40 years Birch Creek has been providing young people world class performance music instruction. We have been volunteering in several different capacities for the past 8 season and have found it to be an extraordinary place. What makes it special? The world class faculty of teaching/professional musicians, the ratio of 1 faculty per 2 students, the serene and beautiful campus, the opportunities for students to perform before live, paying audiences several times during their residency and the corps of committed and passionate staff and volunteers.

Birch Creek was without a doubt one of the best times of my life. I learned so much about not only music, but also life. The intensive musical experience was incredible, and getting to work with such amazing faculty was very rewarding. Being surrounded with like minded people made it an incredible time. I made some amazing friends. But above all else, Birch Creek made me a better person. It gave me confidence and taught me some important lessons about hard work and kindness that I will carry with me both in and out of the music world. I wouldn't trade my time at Birch Creek for anything.

I have never been to a more rewarding music camp.
I not only got top notch education from fantastic instructors, while I was here, I learned a lot about life after high school, and music career opportunities that lead me to the University I am currently attending.
Also, this camp is in my favorite place in the world. I had been going up to Door County long before I was ever playing the violin, and the opportunity to spend two weeks up there doing what I love in a fantastic, welcoming, and educational environment, was absolutely priceless.

I was a Symphony student in 98 and 99. I learned an immeasurable amount of things about music and myself while at Birch Creek. I have now been teaching music for 11 years and come back for a concert every few years. All groups are amazing and I know the organization is doing great things for students and the area every day!
- Beth Mohr (bassoon)

This was one of the best musical experiences that I have had. I attended the Birch Creek Jazz II session and it completely prepared me for what it took to be a serious Jazz musician. All of the teachers there are professional musicians who make their living as performers. Many of them also teach at colleges or have performed in world renown groups such as the Count Basie Band. The camp does a great job at simulating what it is like to be a musician. In the words of the director, "If you learn that you want to be a musician while you are here then we have done you a great service. If you learn that you do not want to be a musician then we have still done you a great service". While you are here you're going to to learn a lot and you will learn what you need to do to become a great jazz musician. You're going to make a lot of connections with both teachers and friends after coming here. I wouldn't trade the experiences I had here for anything. I highly recommend going if you want to become a jazz musician.

My daughter's time spent at Birch Creek helped her find a place to be with like-minded people as passionate about music as she is. We're so thankful for her experience there, and she's thankful for her "Birch Creek fam"!

My son attended the Summer Jazz Camp at Birch Creek for two years. The quality of the instruction is outstanding. Not only do the students get to learn from a talented, professional staff, they also get to see these wonderful musicians perform in entertaining and enjoyable concerts. The relationships that were developed during my son's time at Birch Creek are invaluable.

I went to Birch Creek for four summers in high school, and it had a tremendous effect on my musical life. The faculty were brilliant, the other students were enthusiastic, and the whole atmosphere was so friendly and supportive. I am now finishing up a music degree at a conservatory and pursuing a career in professional music performance. Birch Creek did a lot to both inspire and prepare me for the life of a professional musician. I can't speak highly enough of this organization.

Birch Creek was the very best part of my summer of 2009. I met people I will never forget and was taught by some of the most wonderful musicians. They've helped me to grow musically, and also as a person to help me to develop who I am. The staff was absolutely incredible, they helped me tremendously, and I give my uppermost respect and gratitude to every one of them!

I am an associate faculty member at Birch Creek and have been teaching there since 2002. I look forward to going back to teach every year because it is such a rewarding experience for me. I love seeing the students grow as musicians and people during their two week stay. All of the students are very talented, serious and dedicated about music and learning all they can about it.

Birch Creek engages students with music in a way that challenges them no matter what level they started at. Faculty and staff are generally very supportive of one another and of students both as individuals and maturing musicians.

I've taught for 15 years at the Birch Creek Percussion Camp. Every year I am amazed at the level of inspiration and richness of experience related to music that these students receive. There's no place in the country that gives high school students the depth and breadth of world percussion combined with classical percussion experience both in masterclasses for learning and performing in front of large enthusiastic audiences.

Last summer I went to the Birch Creek Symphony and Jazz Camp for the first time. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I'd heard good things from my friends. I ended up learning more in those four weeks than I would have learned in months otherwise. That was definitely one of the best summers I've ever had, and I hope to go back this year.

Birch Creek is an amazing experience for all types of students. I attended two summers of their Jazz Session, and there were opportunities for vast improvement for both beginning and extremely advanced students. A great organization!

I have been on the faculty of Birch Creek for the past 10 years. It is definitely a highlight of each year for me. The chance to work, teach and perform with outstanding and enthusiastic young people is a real treat. To spend 2 weeks on such a beautiful campus, with a high quality faculty and in a wonderful location like Door Cty is something special. There are few other places which can offer students as much as Birch Creek and I'm truly honored to be included as a member of this fine musical and educational organization.

It would be an understatment to say that my experience at Birch Creek was exceptional. It completely changed my life. My high school is lucky enough to have a percussion ensemble program, but it is nothing like the program for percussionists at the camp. All of the instructors are world-class, well traveled, and knowledgeable on everything. I will also never forget the friends I made. The types of music that I was able to play come from every culture and really gave me a connection to the rest of the world. Also, steel pan is the greatest thing I've ever played, and I am so lucky that Birch Creek teaches everyone to play it. The camp inspired me to be better than I ever was, and I am now becoming a music performance major in college. I can thank Birch Creek for advancing my understanding of music as well as my passion for it.

I first heard about Birch Creek through my private teacher; if you read no further, that alone should be an indication of the quality of the program: that my teacher was still talking about it and encouraging students to go years later. I was terrified initially, but soon found myself at home among the faculty and especially my fellow students. The atmosphere is unlike anything else I've found. People will support you and help you, and every year we leave unwillingly, wishing for more time. I learned so much in the years that I attended camp there, about performing and about myself. Every year pushed me further than I had gone before and to the limits of my abilities; there is no better atmosphere for growth. There is a reason that students return as TA's and faculty: they are so touched by what they receive in two brief weeks that they feel almost obligated to pass it on and make things even better. It is a singularly unique experience that I will never forget.

For me, Birch Creek was the most life-changing experience I have ever had. I was able to get input and training from other musicians that had a lot more experience and talent than me and learned a lot. Birch Creek gave me an idea of what I have to strive to reach and what I can improve on.

I've been going to Birch Creek concerts since I was old enough to sit still in a chair. I dreamed of performing with these excellent musicians and was lucky enough to be a student in the Jazz II session for two summers at the end of my high school years. The level of professionalism and excellent teaching was extraordinary and continues to inspire both students and audience members through the years. I am now in my 8th year as a volunteer and love to hear the classics and experience the new waves coming out of the barn each summer. From classical to percussion to steel drums to jazz to big bad...there's something for every music lover!

I attend regularly, volunteer and am on the Board for Birch Creek. The more familiar I become with Birch Creek, the more impressed I am. I am amazed by the passionate and extensive involvement of the staff, faculty, Board and volunteers. It is so obvious that each of these groups believes in and is committed to the type of experience we provide for our students. The joy and thrill in the eyes of the students when they perform provides the impetus for doing all we can to continue and expand our offering. This past year, I have had the opportunity to spend more time with the faculty and that too speaks to the reason for Birch Creek's success. From TA's to the Program Directors, they are all there for the students and the music. It is incredible!

My experience: I know, from my heart, music touches one profoundly - I've loved my teachers of music, what they taught the expression it gave me. My parents for their love of all music, - from Glenn Miller, the Big Bands - my brothers leading me to folk, blues, jazz, rock of my distinct searches into how we create music singly and with others. What art do we Share so completely? I love too, most recent/sharpest edges of sound - a story far too long + complex to relate. I'm a visual artist, but I couldn't work/live without music without that particular vivid emotional aspect and transcendence that music causes. Give this to our children, the value is deep, life long Exquisite! of Music. I may be too honest, candid, passionate however, I'm completely sincere. Karin van Dyck