The University of Delaware School of Music's Community Music School summer program will return this year to the Newark campus in a format designed to promote health and safety amid the continuing coronavirus pandemic. That will likely mean unusual staging and use of electronic instruments since a normal pit orchestra will not work with social distancing guidelines. The Backstage Camp portion of a typical summer program will also not be held in 2021.

The Wind in the Willows will be presented in two separate pods. The program is limited to 24 students. Registration began April 22. Once full, a waiting list will be maintained until July 7.

Rehearsals begin on Wednesday, July 7 and run through Monday, July 26. During the week, rehearsals will likely be 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and weekend rehearsals are possible. Specific schedules for each camper will depend on pod assignment after auditions on Tuesday, July 6. 

The full camp experience will be Monday, July 26 through Friday, July 30 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Performances will be Friday, July 30 at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, July 31 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. All performances will be live streamed, and a decision about a live audience will be made at a later date.

Those interested in further information can send an email to communitymusicschool@udel.edu, or visit the information-registration website at https://www.music.udel.edu/community/community-music-school/summer-camps-classes/summer-camp