Snare Drum Camp

When Is It?

Chops Academy Drum Camp’s current date is tentitive. Even though Upper Merion Parks & Rec lists the dates as 06/16/25 - 06/20/25, this is subject to change. Final date is expected to be announced by early April. The camp runs 5 days, Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You can help by filling out your availability in this Google Form:

How Can I Sign Up?

Chops Academy: Snare Drum Camp is sponsored by Upper Merion Parks & Recreation. You must sign up through their website below:

What Should I Bring?

• Concert Drumsticks (5A or bigger preferred)
• A practice pad
• Earplugs (required at all times):
  • Earasers ($39)
  • Eargasm ($39)
  • Eargasm Small ($41)
• Lunch
• (Optional) Marching Snare Drum Sticks- Students interested in marching percussion are welcome to bring marching snare drum sticks in addition to, but not in place of, concert snare drum sticks. Please do not bring marching bass or tenor mallets.

Each attending musician will receive Chops Academy merchandise and a packet of exercises to continue practice at home.

Who Should Sign Up?

Any rising 7th-12th grade musician interested in percussion should enroll. Since we’re focused on improving fundamentals at all proficiency levels, beginners are welcome.

Students will need a basic level of music-reading proficiency (quarter notes, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, triplets, time signatures). Although we’ll improve reading skills, we won’t be learning to read music from scratch.

Percussionists in band, and marching percussionists are highly encouraged to enroll. You should also enroll if you’re a wind/string player curious about percussion, a drum-set hobbyist, a non-band student interested in drums, a potential future music major or teacher, or considering a career in professional performance.

Why Are We Doing This?

Students in our district have a lot of options for performance. Marching Band, Jazz Band, Concert Band, and Orchestra all offer great percussive performance opportinities. We're focused on the training it takes to execute in those ensembles at a high level.

Inspired by courses at University of Massachusetts Amherst, the University of North Texas, and our new percussion techniques course at Boston University, this camp aims to improve the quality of our music programs by increasing the quality of the individual performer.

• Establishing a Pipeline: We’re building high-quality percussion sections for the long term. Repeated participation strengthens fundamentals and leadership skills.
• Recruiting: This camp allows students to explore percussion with minimal commitment, fostering their passion for the craft.
• Opportunity for Mobility: Students can try drumming and know exactly what to practice to continue improving long-term.

Why Charge?

The camp fee is primilary a tool to gain buy-in from the students and their families, and ensures a commitment to the entire week. At $179 for 35 hours, it's an excellent value compared to private lessons. At ~$5/hour, less than Pennsylvania's minimum wage, it's the cheapest rate in the entire Upper Merion catalog.

Fees support space rental, merchandise, and donations to the Upper Merion Marching Vikings for accessories and equipment. Any remaining funds supplement the teaching staff's time and preparation.

This camp is a passion project, and we hope to share our love for percussion with all who are interested.

Financial Aid

Need-based aid is available through Upper Merion Parks & Rec. Reach out to them directly, and/or contact me for guidence.

It is my personal pledge to include every interested, otherwise eligable student at Chops Academy, regardless of their family's ability to meet the camp fee.