Camp Information

Vision

Chops Academy Drum Camp is a skills development camp for middle and high school percussionists.

We are not preparing music for a performance. Instead, we spend the week in an intensive yet low-pressure program that focuses solely on building fundamental skills.

There is no music to learn ahead of time, and we are free from the pressure of an upcoming performance. This is our dedicated time to explore a potential new passion in percussion, refine experienced hands, and collaborate with fellow musicians in a supportive environment.

Our Why

We want the percussion sections of our performing groups to perform at a high level. We want to improve the percussion in the Marching Band, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Band, Concert Band, and Orchestra. Here are just some of the things that better ensembles unlock for students:

• Higher level of achievement: for college applications and life skills
• Greater visibility: play at more events, get more media attention, and be a part of an undeniable presence in your school
• Social media: for a more global reach
• More performances: larger audiences and greater scale
• The wow factor: play more challenging and impressive music
• Winning: greater placement at competitions

Building Better Ensembles

Simply put, we make the ensembles better by making the players better.

• Establishing a Pipeline: How can you improve your skills? This camp is the answer. When players attend the camp early and consistently, they make their groups better.
• Recruiting: Explore percussion with a minimal, 1-week summer commitment. Most students leave camp with a spark to keep drumming, and keep improving.
• Opportunity for Mobility: Are you a piano player who wants to play marimba? Are you a wind player who wants to play snare drum? Are you a 10^th grader hoping to make the snare line? Come to camp.
• Reputation: Students from multiple districts attend, which enhances the experience for everyone. Students get exposure to different perspectives and enhance music programs across broader southeastern Pennsylvania.

Inspired by courses at University of Massachusetts Amherst, the University of North Texas, and our 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.

Date & Location

Monday, August 3^rd – Friday, August 7^th, 2026
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Upper Merion Area High School
435 Crossfield Rd
King of Prussia, PA 19406

Camp Checklist

• Concert drumsticks (5A or bigger preferred)
• A 12" practice pad
• In-ear musicians' earplugs (required at all times):
  • Earasers ($39)
  • Eargasm ($39)
  • Eargasm Small ($41)
• Lunch
• (Optional) Marching Snare Drum Sticks
  • Marching-interested students can 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.

Should I Come to Chops?

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

Rising 7^th graders should not wait. The very best upperclassmen will have attended this camp for all years they are eligible.

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.

All types of students have come to Chops Academy.

• 7^th grade beginning drummers
• Multiple wind players, including an 8^th grade trombone player
• Upper Merion Drumline captains and section leaders
• Drummers in Jazz Band
• Drumline members outside of Upper Merion, including students from other school districts
• High school marching marimba players
• Middle school mallet players

We welcome all musicians. No matter your background, you'll contribute something unique and benefit from the environment you help create.

Rising 7^th Graders

This is ideal time to start attending. The camp is designed to be most effective for students who attend all 6 eligible years. These are the future leaders of our performing ensembles. The more students start at this age, the better our percussion ensembles will be.

At camp, younger students get to drum alongside older high school percussionists, and work on the same fundamental skills. This creates a supportive environment where you can learn our culture and get inspired to keep growing.

So if you’re in 7^th grade—this camp was created for you. You are not too young. Don't wait.

Rising 6^th Graders

Rising 6^th graders can attend. You will need the recommendation of your middle school music director. Ask your middle school music director to recommend you by contacting us.

The material is not too difficult. Students attending at this age will be better positioned than nearly all their peers for performing at a high level in high school.

Why do I need a recommendation?

The music teacher will attest that the student is able to focus for extended periods, and won't distract others. Since the material is not too difficult for a 6^th grader, the recommendation should not be based on ability. It's about our culture.

The students in Upper Merion's percussion groups are unusual. These students are highly motivated. They support each other in their pursuit of excellence. They celebrate their passion for percussion and cultivate it. They would rather be playing percussion than doing almost anything else. While this camp is much lower pressure than any of the school's performing ensembles, the students in this camp are on a mission to improve their skills.

It's perfectly normal for a rising 6^th grader to still be developing in this area. Starting in 7^th grade will still put your child in an excellent position for high achievement, and rising 7^th graders do not need a teacher recommendation.

Tuition

The camp fee is primarily 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 is $5 an hour, less than Pennsylvania's minimum wage.

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

Financial Aid

Chops Academy is committed to including every interested, otherwise eligible student, regardless of their family's ability to meet the camp fee.

Each year, many students attend the camp at free or reduced cost.

Please contact us to inquire.