The Southwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra opens its first-ever Summer Orchestra Camp in Fort Myers, a one-week intensive music camp with six different conductors, masterclasses and a final free donation-based concert that is open to the public on Friday, July 16, at 2:30 p.m. at its Artistic Center at Bell Tower.

After reviewing audition applications from students all over the area, the final group of bright young musicians ages 13-17 has been selected.

Conductors will include Katrina Rozmus, a Southwest Florida Symphony violinist who also performs with the Sarasota Orchestra and The Naples Philharmonic, and also Nathan Fish, an area French Hornist, FGCU alum and the music director at Ida Baker High School. Additionally, a variety of guest clinicians are scheduled to instruct throughout the week.

The Southwest Florida Symphony Summer Orchestra Camp is for intermediate and advanced-level string players, with the goal to provide quality symphonic training and performance experience for young musicians in the area. The summer camp is a five-day musical experience, with face-to-face music guided by our outstanding faculty.

Many of the students’ $350 tuition was sponsored by the Symphony Society, the School District of Lee County and private donors.

The inaugural year of camp was also made possible thanks to Bell Tower and symphony neighbors, with boxed lunches made available for campers to purchase from Burntwood Tavern.

While the camp registration period is closed, students can still stay updated with the Youth Orchestra Facebook Page to learn more about fall auditions and the upcoming concert season, which is scheduled to commence on Oct. 26.

Further details on the symphony’s 60th anniversary season, Diamond Jubilee, are available online at WWW.SWFLSO.ORG or by calling 239-418-1500. Season subscriptions and single tickets to some individual concerts are currently on sale.

The Bell Tower is on U.S. 41 South.