The Camner Spotlight Series is a new performance opportunity open to students and faculty in the Frost School of Music. Interested applicants will select a work from the Alfred Camner, Anne Camner, and Camner Family Music Collection to perform as an opening act to an existing Frost concert in the fall and spring semesters. Those selected to perform will receive a cash prize.
What Is the Camner Family Music Collection?
The Alfred Camner, Anne Camner, and Camner Family Music Collection is comprised of several hundred rare and valuable scores, signed letters, and other musical ephemera by some of the most important composers from the past three centuries. The collection was donated to the Marta and Weeks Music Library by University of Miami Trustee Emeritus Alfred Camner (J.D. '69), his wife, Anne (J.D. '72), and their four children: Danielle Camner Lindholm (J.D. ’95), Errin Camner (L.L.M. ’99), Lauren Camner Winter (M.B.A. ’98), and Andrew Camner (B.A. ’09). “It is our family’s desire that this collection of first and early printed music editions form the true start to creating an extraordinary musicological resource, unmatched by modern editions,” said Alfred Camner, who, with his wife, also endowed UM’s Camner Center for Academic Resources ("UM Trustee Donates ‘Exhilarating’ Music Treasures to Weeks Library," UM News, 2016).
The scores in this collection are first or early printed editions of major musical works, many of which were published during the composers' lifetimes. Composers generally worked directly with their publishers during the editing and print process, resulting in editions that best represent these musical works as they were at the time of their creation. Preserved with marginal notations by earlier performers, the Camner Family Music Collection offers a window into the past, demonstrating how musical scores were used in both study and practice.
F.A.Q.'s
Q: Is there a list of all of the works available in the Camner Family Music Collection?
A: A complete list of materials in the Camner Family Music Collection is available in the University of Miami's library catalog (uSearch) by clicking on this link.
Q. Do I have to perform an entire work, or can I just do a movement or selection?
A: Since the spotlight performance is at the beginning of a full concert, a single movement, aria, song, etc. is preferred!
Q: Do performances need to adhere to historical performance practices?
A: No! Creative approaches (including improvisation) to canonical musical works are encouraged.
Q: Can I collaborate with other students or faculty members?
A: Yes! Collaboration is encouraged.
Call for Applications
The Camner Spotlight Series is accepting applications for the 2026-27 academic year. Applications are due by Sept. 15, 2026. Click on this link or scan the QR code below:
Please consider the following before completing your application:
Choose a work from the Camner Family Music Collection that you would like to perform. If you are having trouble making a selection or have other questions about the collection, please book an appointment with Professor Sara Manus, Director of the Marta and Austin Weeks Music Library.
Applicants will be asked to explain why they would like to perform the selected work and how the use of a first or early edition might impact their performance choices.
Questions? Ask Me!
Sara Manus
Director of the Marta and Austin Weeks Music Library
A Librarian