Students will grow as musicians by making music together. Working with Cornish music faculty, they’ll combine playing in a band or small ensemble with practical lessons in rhythm, melody, harmony, and listening. Designed for students who already play an instrument, sing, write songs, or produce music, this intensive will help them connect what they know with new skills and creative possibilities.

Through rehearsals, guided listening, and hands-on exercises, students will explore how music works and apply what they’re learning directly to their instrument or voice. They’ll practice reading and writing music, build confidence with scales and chords, and strengthen their sense of timing and groove. They’ll also develop their ear by learning to recognize and respond to musical patterns.

Playing together will be central to the experience. Students will learn to listen to one another, stay together as a group, and make creative decisions about how a piece will sound. Through songwriting, arranging, and improvisation, they’ll explore ways to contribute their own ideas while supporting the musicians around them.

Modeled after Cornish College of the Arts’ core undergraduate music curriculum, the intensive will welcome students from classical, jazz, and popular music backgrounds. Faculty will help students build on their experience while preparing them for further study and collaboration.

What Students Will Create

Students will develop music together through band or ensemble playing, original songwriting, arrangements, and improvisation. Their work will reflect their growing ability to turn musical ideas into sound, collaborate with other musicians, and perform with greater confidence.

What Registration Will Include

This registration will cover the morning intensive only. Afternoon electives and housing will require separate registration.

Students will be able to take this intensive on its own or combine it with afternoon electives for a full-day Summer@Cornish experience. No afternoon elective will be required for students attending mornings only.

How Students Will Build Their Schedules

Full-Time Program
Students will register for this morning intensive and two afternoon electives, one from each schedule. The morning intensive will meet Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–noon, with a lunch break from noon–1 p.m.

Morning Intensive Only
Students will register for this course and attend Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–noon.

Morning Intensive + One Afternoon Elective
Students will register for this intensive and one afternoon elective. They’ll attend every morning and stay for the afternoons listed in their elective’s schedule.

Afternoon electives will run from 1–4 p.m. Students who wish to attend every afternoon will choose two electives: one that will meet Monday/Wednesday/Friday and one that will meet Tuesday/Thursday.

Students will be able to deepen their music practice through related electives or explore new creative interests across disciplines.

Students will need to add each course to their cart separately.

Explore Summer@Cornish afternoon electives and courses →

Housing Options

A residential option will be available to full-day students and will include supervised housing, evening and weekend activities, and extra studio time.

Students who plan to stay in housing will need to begin with the residential application before registering for courses. They’ll receive instructions for selecting a morning intensive and two afternoon electives as part of the residential package.

Learn about the residential program and how to apply →

Questions?

Students and families will be able to get help choosing courses and building a schedule by emailing cornishplus@seattleu.edu.