October 12, 2008

For high school students, summer is typically a time to hold a job, be a camp counselor, travel and have fun. While these may be three months without homework, some high-schoolers opt instead for our college’s intensive summer programs in Music Industry, Design & Merchandising, Architecture and Interior Design. The programs run in July and include classes, guest lectures, a stay in the dorms (except for Music Industry), meals in the dining hall and field trips.

The Music Industry summer program is hosting 65 students who are getting hands on experience in our recording studios and the opportunity to interact with industry guest speakers. The students choose from courses taught by our Music Industry faculty including Digital Audio Production, Music Business, Audio Engineering, How to Start Your Own Label, and workshops in Artist and Repertoire and Songwriting.

Students from the Delaware Valley and from as far away as Texas, California, Florida, North Carolina and Ohio come to the Design & Merchandising program. The immersive design curriculum allows students to explore design, product development and promotion of fashion and lifestyle brands. Student designers spend much of their time in the studio sketching, developing and promoting product using both hands-on and computer applications. Students visit local designers including Drexel alumni Abby Kessler and Katie Loftus who own and design all of the clothes for their Philadelphia boutique Smak Parlour. Guest speakers will address career opportunities and trends for the 21st Century. Field trips are offered to Philadelphia museums, theaters and restaurants to round out the program.

Both the Interior Design and Architecture programs have students spending time in the studio developing their design skills and gaining a better understanding of freehand drawing and 3D modeling computer software. Working architects and interior designers will welcome the students into their offices for tours and lectures and they’ll take advantage of Philadelphia’s architectural wealth with trips throughout the city. They will also take a field trip to New York. Each program ends with a showcase of student projects for friends, family and faculty. For more information on our summer programs click here.