If you’re a high schooler with an artistic bent and a passion for music and the performing arts, you should consider opportunities that give you exposure to the industry and a platform to hone your talent. Participating in programs like the GRAMMY Camp, the subject of our blog today, is an excellent way to do that while also boosting your profile for college applications.
Simply put, these summer programs offer hands-on experience, industry connections, and skills that can make you stand out in competitive college applications. Colleges value applicants with unique experiences and a demonstrated passion for their interests. Being part of a selective, prestigious program like this one shows initiative, commitment, and leadership in the music field.
Let’s take a look at the GRAMMY camp, including its structure, eligibility, and the pros and cons of attending.
What is GRAMMY Camp?
TheGRAMMY Camp is an immersive, non-residential, seven-day program designed for high school students with a strong interest in pursuing careers in the music industry. It provides real-world experiences in various aspects of the music business, from audio engineering and electronic music production to music business and songwriting.
The camp’s main purpose is to offer hands-on learning and give you the opportunity to engage with industry professionals. By the end of the program, you will have developed your understanding of how the industry works, improved your performance skills and business sense, and networked with peers and professionals.
How is GRAMMY Camp structured?
The GRAMMY Camp is held in person at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles from July 14 to July 20. It offers programs across nine career tracks, each focusing on a different aspect of the music industry. The camp is facilitated by music industry professionals, GRAMMY nominees and winners, as well as guest faculty.
Regardless of the track you choose, you’ll be spending time in workshops, learning industry-specific techniques and tools, and understanding future career paths in your chosen track. Each of the nine career tracks requires a specific submission during the application process that you should be mindful of.
The career tracks on offer are:
1. Audio Engineering
Learn recording techniques (mic techniques, signal flow, sonic shaping) in studio and live settings. This track includes instruction on traditional music production and budgeting. You will need at least a rudimentary understanding of recording equipment and audio terminology.
Submission Requirements: Two music and/or video selections (MP3s, YouTube, or SoundCloud links) of projects you recorded or mixed. Include a brief description of your role, techniques, and equipment used.
2. Electronic Music Production
Develop advanced music production skills, including programming, editing, sampling, and mixing on digital audio workstations. This is a great opportunity to learn industry-standard techniques in digital music production, remixing, and sound manipulation.
Submission Requirements: Two MP3 examples of music you created using computer-based platforms (with or without live instruments). Provide a description of your process and equipment used.
If you want to focus on songwriting skills, including song structure, melody, and lyric writing, and collaborate with musicians and bands, then this is the track for you. You’ll get to learn about harmony and vocal technique. You will need to have a basic understanding of music theory, though you don’t need to be a singer.
Submission Requirements: Video of two original compositions (performed by you or others). If performed by others, introduce each song on camera. Upload to YouTube and provide the links. You can also submit lyric sheets or include lyrics in the video description.
4. Vocal Performance
For singers aiming for careers as professional vocalists or artists, this track covers vocal techniques, performance skills, and the business aspects of a singing career. From learning techniques to care for and protect your voice, understanding the art of collaboration, overcoming performance anxiety, increasing business savvy, and identifying ways to improve musicianship, there’s a lot to learn in this track.
Submission Requirements: Video of you singing two songs in different styles/tempos. Announce the song title and original artist before singing. Use live or recorded accompaniment (a cappella is not advised). Upload to YouTube and submit the links.
5. Music & Media
The Music & Media track is for those interested in how music intersects with media, such as video production, journalism, and social media. In this track, you’ll learn how to create visual stories that complement and enhance musical content. You will engage in hands-on learning that covers the entire production process—from idea development and storyboarding to camera work and post-production (editing, motion graphics, etc.). This track is perfect for those looking to produce music videos, promotional materials, or multimedia projects that tell stories in creative ways.
Submission Requirements: Submit two projects (video, written, or social media) related to music. Provide a detailed description of your role and the equipment/software used. Upload videos to YouTube.
6. Music Business
The Music Business track is tailored for students interested in non-performance roles within the music industry, such as management, marketing, touring, concert production, and entertainment law. This track dives into the behind-the-scenes aspects that help artists thrive, teaching you how to navigate the ever-evolving industry landscape. You’ll learn about contract negotiation, artist management, promoting and branding musicians, and the financial structures that make tours and albums successful.
Submission Requirements: Written or video response to two prompts:
Choose an artist and describe the role you’d play on their team.
Choose a person, company, or website that impacted the music industry and explain how.
7. Instrumental Performance
The Instrumental Performance track is designed to help you improve your technical skills and musicianship. You will study, rehearse, and perform in a variety of settings, including live performances and studio sessions. You’ll work with professional musicians and learn about the different career paths available to instrumentalists. Whether you play the guitar, drums, bass, keyboards, or wind and string instruments, this track will help you refine your skills, collaborate with other musicians, and explore solo and ensemble performance opportunities.
Submission Requirements: Video of you performing two musical styles (rock, pop, jazz, Latin, R&B, blues). Use a band or accompaniment and show both "comping" (accompanying) and soloing.
8. Video Production & Motion Graphics
This track is for students interested in the visual side of the music industry. You will learn the process of creating music videos, motion graphics, and visual storytelling through editing, directing, and animation techniques. The curriculum covers all stages of production, including storyboarding, shooting, post-production, and integrating motion graphics into video projects. You will even get the chance to create your own music-related video content, applying skills in cinematography, editing, and visual effects.
Submission Requirements: Submit a video project that demonstrates your skills in production or motion graphics. Provide a detailed description of your role in the project.
9. Music Journalism
In the Music Journalism track, you will explore how to write about music and artists, conduct interviews, and cover events. Whether you aspire to be a critic, reviewer, or feature writer, this track will help you sharpen your writing skills while learning how journalism shapes public opinion in the music industry. You’ll engage in real-world writing exercises and explore how to craft compelling articles, reviews, and interviews that provide insightful commentary on the music industry and its artists.
Submission Requirements: Submit two writing samples (such as concert reviews, artist profiles, or features) showcasing your abilities as a journalist.
Is it prestigious?
GRAMMY Camp accepts only 75-85 students each year, making it a fairly selective program. The low acceptance rate enhances the exclusivity and value of being a participant. More importantly, it gives you the opportunity to work and network with established professionals and industry insiders, providing exposure that can help in your future career.
While it’s a short program, each track has a reasonably stringent bar for entry, and you can be sure that you will be among equally talented peers. Being selected for the GRAMMY Camp can significantly boost your profile due to the program's reputation and the quality of its pedagogy.
Who is eligible to apply?
To apply for the GRAMMY Camp, you must:
Be a high school student currently enrolled in grades 9-12
Be a U.S. resident
Meet the track-specific criteria detailed above
How does the application process work?
The application process for GRAMMY Camp is straightforward:
Complete the Online Application: Fill out the application form available on the GRAMMY Museum’s website
Submit your audition materials: Provide the track-specific materials required to be eligible
Pay the application fee: A non-refundable fee of $25 is required when applying
Submit a video essay: Your video essay needs to explain what you hope to gain by participating in GRAMMY Camp
The applications aredue by March 31.
How much does GRAMMY Camp cost?
The cost of attending GRAMMY Camp is $1,800, but need-based financial aid is available for those who qualify. Note that the fee does not include any costs associated with travel and stay—you will need to manage those on your own.
Pros and cons of GRAMMY Camp
Provides access to the music industry: You will receive instruction and guidance from current industry professionals who are experts in their respective fields. These mentors offer valuable insights, teach industry-standard practices, and provide networking opportunities. This level of mentorship can give you a significant advantage when entering the music industry.
Hands-on learning: GRAMMY Camp provides direct, hands-on experience in various areas of the music industry. For example, in the audio engineering track, you will work with real recording equipment, learning techniques used in professional studios. This real-world exposure helps you develop practical skills that are highly relevant to a career in music.
Focused career tracks: Each career track offers an in-depth curriculum tailored to the specific needs of that track. Whether you’re learning about digital music production in the Electronic Music Production track or marketing strategies in the Music Business track, the curriculum is designed to be both educational and practical, covering everything from technical skills to business knowledge.
Cost: While the camp is moderately expensive, there is also no coverage of residential and transportation expenses. Although financial aid is available, it may not cover all expenses for everyone. This could make it challenging for some students to attend.
Geographically limited: Since the camp is held in person in Los Angeles, it may not be convenient for everyone. If you’re not an LA resident, the additional travel and accommodation costs can add up, further increasing the financial burden.
Limited duration: GRAMMY Camp is a short-term program, usually lasting about a week. While students gain a lot in a short time, the condensed format might not allow for deep dives into certain topics. Students looking for longer-term training or more extensive projects may want to consider other summer music programs.
Our review—is it worth it?
In conclusion, GRAMMY Camp offers a valuable experience for high school students looking to pursue careers in the music industry. Although the camp is expensive at $1,800 for one week, it offers unique music training for high school students. If you qualify for financial aid and/or live in LA and are serious about pursuing music, GRAMMY camp may be well worth it. Its in-depth career focus, highly practical pedagogy, and stellar networking opportunities make it a prestigious program that can greatly enhance your college and music career prospects.
One other option — the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, you could also consider applying to one of theLumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.