Recommended for ages 7-13

July 17-20, 9a to 12p

In this 4-day summer camp, participants will explore the applications of circuits, music production, sound production, and videography. Participants will learn how to create instruments of their own design, build a Theremin with simple circuits, record their own sound effects to turn into musical instruments, and finally create a music video for their own song. The music videos will be filmed entirely on their FL-issued iPhone/iPods.

Daily Topics

Day 1 – Instrument creation

Day 1 will provide an overview of the summer camp and what will be accomplished over the course of the week.  We will provide an introduction to music and challenge the participant’s preconceived notions on what music can be and how it is made. We will begin with using MaKey Makey kits to play various instruments online as an introduction to circuitry, followed by use of Adafruit controllers to create a copper tape piano. The day will conclude with building three Theremins with basic circuitry with guidance from each instructor.

Day 2 – GarageBand, Loops, and Sound Tour of Downtown El Paso

Participants will be given a basic introduction to creating songs with loops, an easier alternative to creating music with very little knowledge in music. They will also be given some advanced instruction on how to create their own loops from instruments on GarageBand or sounds that they record. Following this lesson, participants will take a “sound tour” of downtown and import their sounds to create instruments and sound effects. Participants will begin creating their own songs which will be showcased to the class.

Day 3 – iMovie, Videography, and Video Creation

Participants will receive a demo of how to use iMovie to create videos, import music tracks, and more. They will also use the sound effects they recorded the previous day to help create their trailer as well. Participants are welcome to continue filming once they return home and bring flash drives of their videos and/or sound effects from home. There will be a competition judged by the instructors to see which team is the most creative and produces the best trailer.

Day 4 – Finish and Showcase Trailers

Participants will finish putting their trailers together and showcase them to the rest of the camp. The instructors will deliberate and present awards.