The 61st edition of Summer Music Camp will welcome more than 1,000 student-musicians to campus from area band and orchestra programs during July 8-20. Summer Music Camp is an annual program of the Department of Music's Community Music School.

Summer Music Camp is divided into two weeks with the junior high band camp being held from Sunday, July 8, through Friday, July 13, and the senior high band camp and junior/senior high orchestra camp being held Sunday, July 15, through Friday, July 20.

"The goals of Summer Music Camp are to create a environment where students can grow in their love, appreciation, and performance of music and be introduced to the collegiate opportunities available at the University of Arkansas," said W. Dale Warren, senior Wind Band conductor and Summer Music Camp director. "Our camp faculty and staff are dedicated to providing these enriching experiences to our students."

A series of free performances by the student ensembles and community musicians will be highlighted with two performances by artists-in-resident, the Viridian Saxophone Quartet.

The quartet, comprised of members Casey Grev, Madeline Morizio, Kyle Landry and Eric Troiano, was formed in 2015 with the goal of presenting exciting performances of new and standard works for saxophone quartet. Members of the Viridian Quartet have also received prizes in the Coleman, Fischoff and MTNA Chamber Music Competitions, and in 2016, they won the North American Saxophone Alliance Quartet competition. The Viridian Quartet also maintains an active schedule of outreach, giving workshops, recitals and masterclasses at many local high schools and universities.

Viridian Saxophone Quartet performances will take place on the campus of University Baptist Church located at 333 W. Maple Street at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 10, and at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 17. Both concerts are free and open to the public.

"Every year, one of the best parts of camp is seeing the students' interactions with members of the campus community," said Kim Jones, director of the Community Music School. "Students come away from camp knowing that our university is student-centered and a great option for their college careers."

About the Community Music School:  The Community Music School is the outreach arm of the Department of Music in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences and offers high-quality music programs to students of all ages and levels.  By providing a quality foundation for students to reach their greatest musical potential, the school's programs nurture the creative spirit for personal growth and satisfaction.