Camp Information

What Is It?

Chops Academy Drum Camp is a skills development camp for middle and high school percussionists. Rather than preparing for a performance, we spend the week in an intensive yet low-pressure program that focuses solely on building fundamental skills, making it perfect for young beginners curious about percussion, experienced upperclassmen, and everyone in-between.

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.

When Is It?

Chops Academy Drum Camp 2026 takes place Mon–Fri, July 27^th–31^st, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

How Can I Sign Up?

Chops Academy Snare Drum Camp is sponsored by Upper Merion Parks & Recreation. The only way to sign up is through their website:

What Should I Bring?

• 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.

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.

I'll be in 7th grade next year. Am I too young to attend?

If you are going to be in 7th grade next year, this is the perfect time to enroll. Our camp is designed especially for young students because that’s when the biggest difference can be made.

By starting early, you’ll build strong fundamentals that will carry you through middle school and into high school. Students who attend in 7th grade get 2 years to develop their skills, which puts them ahead of the curve compared to peers who wait. If you hold off until later, you’ll miss out on that crucial foundation.

At camp, younger students also get to drum alongside older high school percussionists. This creates a supportive environment where you can see what’s possible, learn our culture, and get inspired to keep growing.

So if you’re in 7th grade—this camp was created for you. You are not too young. In fact, you’re exactly who we had in mind.

I'll be in 6th grade next year. Can I attend?

Yes. Rising 6th graders can attend. 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 by the time they reach high school.

Our percussion groups at the middle school and high school have an unusual culture. These students are highly motivated, focused, and 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, and they take their percussion studies seriously.

In order to ensure that this camp will be a positive experience your rising 6th grader, the student will need the recommendation of their middle school music director in order to attend. The music teacher will attest that the student has the ability to focus for extended periods of playing and is able to refrain from distracting others.

If not this year, starting next year will still put your child in an excellent position for high achievement.

Why Are We Doing This?

Students in our district have a lot of options for performance. Marching Band, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Band, Concert Band, and Orchestra all offer great percussive performance opportunities. 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 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'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 guidance.

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