Founded over fifty years ago by the Saltman family, "Camp Encore-Coda" continues to attract music students finishing grades 3 thru 11 to the 80 acre site in Southwestern Maine. Approximately 160 students attend Camp each year for either of two 3 week sessions, or one 6 week session. Numerous musical ensembles are available as well as a full sports program and waterfront program. All students also take private lessons in their instruments with faculty consisting of professional teachers and graduate students. Students also partake in music theory, history, literature, ear training, conducting, composition, and arranging classes.

Quick Information

Founded In: 1950

Type of Camp: Music (classical, jazz, pop, rock); Theater; Sports

Location: Sweden, ME / U.S.A.

Directors: James & Ellen Saltman

Number of Students: 160

Age of Students: completing grades 3 - 11

Length of Program: 6 weeks total / Two sessions of 3 weeks each

Address: 50 Encore-Coda Lane, Sweden, ME 04040

Music Program

The music program includes jazz, orchestral, and rock ensembles. Students may also take part in chamber music ensembles. Vocal Ensembles include: the Chorus (open to all students and faculty members), the Jazz Choir (for students interested in vocal jazz music), the Lower Camp Chorus (for lower camp students only), and the Madrigal Choir (for students interested in the Madrigal repertoire). Jazz Ensembles include the Crimson Jazz Band (open by audition to the most advanced instrumentalists), the Grey Jazz Band (open by audition to intermediate level intrumentalists), the Lab Jazz Band (open by audition to beginning instrumentalists), and the Lower Camp Jazz Band (open to all lower campers). Four orchestras are available to students at the Camp. For beginning string players, the String Orchestra is available. For intermediate string players, the Repertory Orchestra is an option. For advanced string, wind, brass, and percussion players, the Senior Orchestra is available. For students in the Camp's Conservatory Program (a program reserved for students intending to pursue careers in music performance) and staff members, the Chamber Orchestra is an option. Several wind ensembles are also available. The Concert Band is for beginning wind, brass and percussion players, the Symphonic Wind Ensemble is for intermediate wind, brass and percussion players, and the Wind Ensemble is for advanced wind, brass, and percussion players. Numerous rock and jazz bands also meet and perform regularly. All of the jazz and rock groups perform in the Camp's Jazz & Rock Festival at the end of the summer.

Sample Repertoire

Same Repertoire for the Chorus Include:

Chorale from Jesu Meine Freunde by J.S. Bach

Ich waiss mir ein Neidlein hubsch und fein by Orlando Di Lasso

Waltz and Chorus from Faust by Gounod

Ave Maria by Kodaly

Adoramus Te by Palestrina

Same Repertoire for the Jazz Band Include:

Never No Lament by Duke Ellington

St. Thomas by Sonny Rollins

Jazzy Tiger by Rob Tapper

Same Repertoire for the Jazz Choir Include:

A Night in Tunisia by Dizzy Gillespie (arr. Brent LaCasce)

And So It Goes by Billy Joel (arr. Brent LaCasce)

Visions by Stevie Wonder

Another Star by Stevie Wonder

Same Repertoire for the Repertory Orchestra Include:

Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 by J.S. Bach

Rumanian Folk Dances by Bela Bartok

Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by W.A. Mozart

Same Repertoire for the Senior Orchestra Include:

Egmont Overture by Ludwig van Beethoven

Symphony No. 104 by Joseph Haydn

Symphony No. 9 by Antoin Dvorak

Prelude Die Meistersinger by Wagner

Activities & Schedules

Many actvitites outisde of the realm of music are available for students at the Camp. The following sports are avalable: Badminton, Basketball, Newcomb, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Ultimate Frisbee, and Volleyball. The Camp also owns a lake and, consequently, canoeing, kayaking, lifesaving, recreational swimming, rowing, sailing, and swimming instruction are available. Other than ensembles, conducting, improvisation, guitar workshop, music history, music literature, musical theater, music theory, and performance class are available. Model rocketry, drawing and painting, arts & crafts, running and yearbook are also available.


A typical schedule for a student might be:

7:00am: Reveille

7:30am: Boys' Breakfast/Girls' Cabin Cleanup

8:10am: Girls' Breakfast/Boys' Cabin Cleanup

8:45am: Camp Store Orders due at office

9:00am, 10:00am, 11:00am: Activity Periods

12:00pm: Lower Camp lunch/Upper Camp activity period

12:30pm: Lower Camp rest hour

1:00pm: Uper Camp Lunch

1:30pm: Camp Store Deliveries to bunks

1:45pm: Lower Camp group meeting

2:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:00pm, 5:00pm: Activity Periods

6:00pm: Lower Camp supper/Upper Camp Free Time

6:45pm: Upper Camp supper/Lower Camp free time

7:30pm: Evening activity begins

Sunday - Game Night Monday - Staff Concert Tuesday - Cookout Wednesday - Camper Concert
Thursday - Free Night Friday - Camper Concert Saturday - Dance

8:30pm: Lower Camp bunk time/Upper Camp free time

9:00pm: Lower Camp lights out/Intermediate bunk time/Senior Activity Time or free time

9:30pm: Intermediate lights out/Senior bunk time

10:00pm: Senior lights out

11:00pm: CIT curfew

A weekly schedule might be:

Monday - Wednesday: Regular Classes

Thursday: Trip Day

Friday - Saturday: Regular Classes

Saturday of the last session: Parents' Visiting Day

Sunday: Special events & sports games

Parent Visiting Days are scheduled once per session, however parents are welcome to visit Camp at anytime. A typical Parents' Day schedule might be:

9:30am: Coffee and donuts reception at Office

10:00am: Concerts and workshops begin

11:30am: Buffet picnic lunch begins and lasts until 2:00pm. Concerts and workshops continue throughout the day.

2:00pm: Lower Camp Theater performance

4:30pm: Upper Camp Theater performance

Students are welcome to leave camp for dinner with their families but are requested back by 9:00pm.

External links

Offical Website

American Camp Association Website