Student Placement Criteria
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- Placement Criteria
- Placement FAQs
In order to ensure that campers are assigned to the appropriate ensemble, group, and schedule for their artistic development, the Blue Lake faculty evaluates student placement information prior to arrival. Specific requirements differ by Major. (Art, Dance, and Creative Writing majors do not need to submit anything prior to arrival. Members of the Camerata and Masterworks Winds & Percussion programs do not need to submit a pre-placement video.) Placement videos and surveys are due 30 days prior to the start of your session. Failure to submit your materials by the deadline, or not include all criteria outlined below, will affect your placement. Plan ahead! For inquiries, contact: placements@bluelake.org.
If this is your Major, do nothing. No placement materials are required:
- Art
- Dance
- Creative Writing
- Camerata Members
- Masterworks Winds & Percussion Members
Videos are required for these Majors:
- Central Camp Band and Orchestra (Camp Bernstein majors do not submit a video; Camerata and Masterworks Winds & Percussion members do not submit a video)
- Jazz
- Choir
- Theater
- Piano
Surveys are required for these Majors:
- Camp Bernstein Band and Camp Bernstein Orchestra
- Harp
- Piano (in addition to a video)
- Submit your survey by signing into your account.
Video How-To
Providing a quality video will help show the very best representation of you! Say your full name at the beginning of the video and make sure you’ve completed all assignments and criteria. Do not use any form of editing or acoustic altering effects in your video. You may submit 1-2 files.
- Accepted file formats: mp4, mov, avi, mkv, wmv
- Maximum file size: 550MB
- Submit only necessary criteria: You may upload 1-2 files
- Name your files: Instrument or Major/Description. Examples include: Tuba-Placement, JazzBass-Improvisation, ChoirSoprano-Placement, TheaterShakespeare_Monologue
Central Camp Band and Orchestra
Review the Band and Orchestra Placement Criteria for your instrument to prepare your video. You will be required to prepare scales, excerpts, and an optional solo. Evaluators are listening for essential musical qualities such as: intonation, tone, rhythm, technique, and expression.
Central Camp Orchestra
Violin
Viola
Cello
Bass
Central Camp Band
Sessions 1 or 2
- Flute
- Oboe
- Bassoon
- Clarinet
- Bass Clarinet
- All Saxophones (Alto, Tenor, Baritone)
- Trumpet
- Horn
- Trombone
- Baritone TC
- Baritone BC
- Tuba
- Percussion
Sessions 3 or 4
- Flute
- Oboe
- Bassoon
- Clarinet
- Bass Clarinet
- All Saxophones (Alto, Tenor, Baritone)
- Trumpet
- Horn
- Trombone
- Baritone TC
- Baritone BC
- Tuba
- Percussion
Choir
Review the Choir Placement Criteria, and follow the instructions in the tutorial. Throughout your video, evaluators will be listening for essential musical qualities such as: intonation, tone, rhythm, technique, and expression. While current voice part is takeninto consideration, you may be placed in a different voice part in order to balance the choir.Voice part determination is based on range and voice color.
Piano
Pianists complete two parts for placement: a video and questionnaire prior to arrival, and a theory assessment on opening day. Piano placement videos consist of scales, and a short excerpt of a prepared piece, and a “learning in progress” piece. Review the Piano Placement Criteria to prepare your video.
Jazz
Review the Jazz Placement Criteria for your instrument to prepare your video. You will be required to prepare scales, a solo, and an optional sampling of your jazz improvisational skills. Evaluators are listening for essential musical qualities such as: intonation, tone, rhythm, technique, and expression.
Select an instrument to view more details:
- Jazz Alto Sax
- Jazz Tenor Sax
- Jazz Bari Sax
- Jazz Trumpet
- Jazz Trombone
- Jazz Keyboard
- Jazz Bass
- Jazz Drums
Theater
Review the Theater Placement Criteria to prepare your video. Your demonstration allows faculty members a chance to get to know you as a person and become familiar with your command of your craft. We look forward to reviewing your video!
Yes. The placement criteria ensures that students are assigned to the appropriate ensemble, group, and
schedule for their personal artistic development. Specific requirements vary by major. Placement videos
and surveys are due30 daysprior to the start of your session.
- Videos are required for these Majors:
Central Camp Band and Orchestra, Jazz, Choir, Theater, Piano (in addition to a survey) - Surveys are required for these Majors:
– Camp Bernstein Band and Camp Bernstein Orchestra, Harp, Piano (in addition to a video)
– Submit your survey by signing in to your account - No placement materials are required:
Art, Dance, Creative Writing, Camerata Members, Masterworks Winds and Percussion Members
Reviews begin 30 days prior to the session. Submitting late or incomplete materials may negatively
impact your placement. Those registering for camp within the 30 days prior to a session will be given a
grace period for submitting materials (contact placements@bluelake.org for further information).
- Accepted file formats: mp4, mov, avi, mkv, wmv
- Maximum file size: 550MB
- Submit only necessary criteria: You may upload 1-2 files
- Name your files: Instrument or Major/Description. Examples include: Tuba-Placement, JazzBass-Improvisation, ChoirSoprano-Placement, Shakespeare_Monologue
Set your recording device to record at 720p at either 30 frames per second (720p30) or 60 frames per second (720p60) to keep file sizes smaller. If 720p is not available, choose 1080p at 30 frames per second. At 720p, you can record for 8-10 minutes before you need to stop and start a new video. At 1080p, you should start a new video after 5 minutes of recording.
- For iPhone: Visit HERE, look for “Record HD or 4K Video,” and select 720p.
- For Android: Visit HERE, look for the “On Android” section, and select 720p.
- Use Google to find instructions for any other device you might be recording with.
- Don’t forget to change your video settings back after you are done recording your placement video.
You have two options: you can split your video into two files, or you can compress your video.
To split your video into two files, follow these instructions:
- In the Photo app on iPhone: HERE
- On Android: HERE
- Using ClipChamp on Windows: HERE
- Using QuickTime Player on Mac: HERE
To compress your video, follow these instructions:
- On Windows, Mac, or Linux: download Handbrake HERE
- Then follow Handbrake directions.
- Choose Fast 720p or Very Fast 720p as your preset.
You can combine your videos into one by following these simple instructions: How to combine videos.
These platforms are free and helpful: Canva or Wondershare
You can convert your files to MP4 videos with this helpful tool: Freeconvert
Before trying the upload again, make sure that your file type matches what is accepted, that the file isn’t too large, and that you have accurately filled out the form. If you are still having trouble, email placements@bluelake.org. Include your camper’s name, major, instrument, session attending, unique ID number, and phone contact. A representative will get back to you as soon as possible.
No. We require that a video be submitted via the online form.
You will receive a confirmation screen immediately if your submission is uploaded correctly. This is your confirmation. Remember to wait to hit the submit button until all videos have reached 100%. If you receive an error in uploading, retry your upload. If we have any trouble with your file, we will contact you.
All campers receive their placement and printed daily schedule in the evening of the Opening Day of the session. Parents receive an email with placement and final presentation information by Friday of the first week. Campers are also encouraged to send their placement information in a letter or post card from camp.
Administrative Offices: 231-894-1966 or 800-221-3796
Admissions | admissions@bluelake.org | Ext. 209 |
Scholarships | scholarships@bluelake.org | Ext. 202 |
Business Office | businessoffice@bluelake.org | Ext. 314 |
Health Services | healthservices@bluelake.org | Ext. 288 |
Camp Store | thehappycamper@bluelake.org | Ext. 219 |
Student Placements | placements@bluelake.org | Ext. 267 |
International Office | international@bluelake.org | Ext. 315 |
Placement Video Upload
Form opens during the spring. Check back soon!
This form is for those who require a placement video only. If your major has a placement survey, submit your survey by signing into your account.
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