We hit the jackpot for summer music camps when we found "The Collective Sound” online. After being reassured by another parent about what a great camp TCS was, we packed our bags and dropped our son off in Orange County. If you are looking for glitz and glamor, this may not be the camp for your young musician, but if you are looking for a taste of real life as a musician, then TCS has a lot to offer. Students from around the world gather to collaborate under the guidance of a counselor (most of which are TCS alumni themselves) while they work together as a team to write, rehearse, record, promote and perform their own material. The camp is grassroots and offers a true life experience into the music industry as the campers attend concerts and talks by other musicians and professionals in the area. The students work hard and they showcase their original work the last week of camp when they go on “TOUR” and perform at different small venues in Southern California. The newer musicians learn from the more seasoned ones and living in close quarters for 3 weeks, the staff and students inspire and thrive off of one and other. Zac Smith, the founder of TCS has created a masterpiece and many campers have gone on to do great things which we enjoy learning about through social media. The Collective Sound has had a big impact on my son’s life by providing a safe environment for artists with the permission to create and develop his passions. One summer is just not enough. My son is preparing for his 4th summer with TCS because once you join the family, you want to go back again and again! This experience certainly has influenced his musical journey and it is always fun to see what new twists and turns he takes each year after participating in another band. The Collective Sound Rocks! Check it out. You will be glad you did!
I found the opportunity to attend this camp during high school and it is still one of the best experience in my life so far. The sound of music that you create with your peers around the world has unique taste that is combined with every individual’s experience of life. The output is mind blowing! At every minute of this camp I learned new stuff that I still carry with me. Amazing thing is that I am really surprised how 3 weeks of this camp changed my perspective of myself, how I understand music and how I experience this world.
I attended the camp 4 years ago and so far I can say that it was one of the greatest experiences I've ever had. I realized that it is great to share my music interest with people my age. We were all from different parts of the world but we had music in common and it made us feel that we are not alone, there are other people like us, passionate about music. The staff was so friendly, I don't remember a minute I felt uncomfortable. Collective Sound is a huge family, still getting bigger. It is impossible to describe exactly what the camp made me feel and what it taught me but I can say that at that time it made me feel so special.
I first attended the Collective Sound in high school and it was truly an amazing experience. It taught me so much about the team working aspect of music and how to work creatively with other people my age. It's so crucial for young kids to be exposed to the type of experience that the Collective Sound provides. I am forever grateful to the Collective Sound for helping me get my foot into the door of the music industry.
If it wasn't for The Collective Sound, I wouldn't be where I am today. I can't thank the people involved enough for changing my life in such an incredible way. When I first attended the camp 3 years ago, I came as a musician who simply wanted to experience what writing and performing with a band, recording in a professional studio, recording a music video and most of all going on tour would be like. Everybody was equally passionate about music and we all formed a connection between each other. My favorite part of this camp though is that even though we get to see each other and collaborate for only three weeks a year, the connections to the students and the counselors remain for the entire year. I regularly communicate with many of my friends I found at The Collective Sound over skype, and just recently I formed a band with a TCS alumnus I met in 2013. I have grown so much musically from attending The Collective Sound, and have learned many valuable skills that I wouldnt have been able to learn somewhere else. I have never heard of a place that offers anything similar to The Collective Sound. All young musicians who are passionate about music and would like to gain experience in writing, recording or touring would enjoy this camp. I will never forget the amazing experiences I had at this camp and I hope to return again this year.
The Collective Sound is one of the most amazing experiences I've encountered and I would recommend it to any young musician with a yearning to perform and learn. TCS has taught me so much about music and all of its facets from actually playing my instrument, to songwriting, to discovering new music, to recording, to advertising, to video production, and to the nature of the music industry. And on top of all of that, I was able to meet some amazing people, make long lasting connections, and have the time of my life.
I have been attending the Collective Sound for the past five summers, and will be returning this June: The camp gets better year after year. Ultimately, I feel that The Collective Sound has made me a significantly better musician on and off the stage and I cannot thank them enough for it.
My summer at TCS completely changed my life. It helped me focus on my music and I really got a chance to network with some incredible people, all which I still keep in contact with after all these years. What makes TCS so special to that you create such awesome music with people who love it just as much as you do, and you can't really find that kind of thing in the music world without it being competitive. It's an evironment for creatives and we challenge each other to offer what we know to the team.
In 2014 I travelled across the world to attend a 3 week summer camp. The Collective Sound is a highlight of my life so far. Between the people you met, the knowledge you attain and the opportunities you experience The Collective Sound offers an incredible all round summer camp experience. I came home with another family from all over the world and a greater knowledge of exactly whats out their in the music industry. I would recommend TCS to anyone who thinks they want to have a future in music, or who just wants to have an amazing summer!
I spent two of the best summers of my high school life at The Collective Sound, both at their original Chico, CA location and when they were in the SF Bay Area. I've been playing music for 8 years and I learned more about being in a band and navigating the music industry in the 6 weeks total I spent at this camp than in the rest of all that combined. Zac is a wonderful human being, the counselors are amazing, and I would recommend their program to any young musician regardless of instrument or skill level. I've learned life-long lessons and made life-long friends at this camp. It was a life changing experience that no young musician should miss out on.
My experience with the Collective Sound was pretty surreal. It was my first trip to San Francisco (which alone was incredible) and turned out to be a great opportunity to meet some amazing people.
As soon as my friend and I showed up at the airport, Zac Smith took us out for burgers and a chat. Not only was he super friendly, making day 1 a very nice introduction to this new city, he helped me dig through garbage cans until I found the retainer that I had stupidly discarded along with the rest of my In-N-Out trash.
The rest of my experience I cannot properly put into words. Making music with the other kids was great, and having access to music equipment to jam with anybody much of the time was awesome. Getting to check out places such as Amoeba Music and the 5 floor Rasputin Music record stores were experiences I can only say would have been wilder if I was older and had cash for a few more vinyls.
Great time overall, wish I could see you guys again. Maybe I'll come down for a visit and check out The Shimmies. Thanks guys.