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Sacramentos Department of Sound Launches Free Youth Music Production Camp in Partnership with NBA Foundation and 916 Ink
The Department of Sound, together with the NBA Foundation and 916 Ink, is opening a free, week‑long Summer of Sound Youth Music Production Camp for Sacramento teens aged 13 to 17. From August 3 to August 7, 2026, the program will run daily from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at The Imaginarium (3301 37th Avenue, Sacramento).
The camp offers hands‑on production workshops, lyric‑writing sessions, and talks from industry professionals, with a free lunch each day. After five days, campers can release their tracks on the first volume of the SUMMEROFSOUND compilation and attend a celebratory listening party that showcases their work. With only 20 spots available, the program remains entirely free of charge.
Founded in 2019, the Department of Sound is a Sacramento‑based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that turns classrooms, community centers, and pop‑up studios into creative hubs focused on social‑emotional wellbeing. Its music education initiatives cover production, podcasting, and sound‑based communication. The NBA Foundation, the league’s charitable arm, funds projects that advance school‑to‑career pathways for under‑resourced youth, especially in Black communities. 916 Ink, a local nonprofit, provides creative‑writing workshops and literacy tutoring to strengthen reading and writing skills among young people.
During the camp, participants will learn to craft beats in digital audio workstations, mix and master tracks, and write original lyrics. Production modules cover arrangement, sound design, and workflow best practices. Lyric‑writing sessions emphasize storytelling, rhyme structure, and thematic development. Guest speakers—producers, engineers, and artists—share industry insights and career advice. The daily free lunch supports nutrition and encourages a collaborative atmosphere.
The partnership blends the Department of Sound’s music‑education expertise with the NBA Foundation’s youth‑empowerment focus and 916 Ink’s literacy emphasis. Together, they create a multidisciplinary environment that nurtures both musical and verbal creativity. The camp’s limited capacity ensures individualized instruction and mentorship for each of the 20 participants.
After the production phase, campers submit their finished tracks to the organizers. Selected tracks will be compiled into SUMMEROFSOUND Vol. 1, a digital release that will be distributed on streaming platforms and shared with the broader Sacramento community. The final listening party, scheduled for the evening of August 7, will feature live playback of the compilation, allowing participants to hear their work in a public setting and celebrate their achievements.
The program aligns with the Department of Sound’s mission to use music as a tool for healing and empowerment. By offering a free, intensive, week‑long experience, the camp removes financial barriers that often prevent youth from accessing professional production equipment and industry mentorship. The collaboration with the NBA Foundation signals a broader commitment to supporting under‑served communities in Sacramento.
Interested applicants can apply online or learn more at www.deptofsound.org/summer-of-sound. Because only 20 spots are available, early application is recommended. The camp is open to youth aged 13 to 17, and no prior experience in music production is required.
The camp offers hands‑on production workshops, lyric‑writing sessions, and talks from industry professionals, with a free lunch each day. After five days, campers can release their tracks on the first volume of the SUMMEROFSOUND compilation and attend a celebratory listening party that showcases their work. With only 20 spots available, the program remains entirely free of charge.
Founded in 2019, the Department of Sound is a Sacramento‑based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that turns classrooms, community centers, and pop‑up studios into creative hubs focused on social‑emotional wellbeing. Its music education initiatives cover production, podcasting, and sound‑based communication. The NBA Foundation, the league’s charitable arm, funds projects that advance school‑to‑career pathways for under‑resourced youth, especially in Black communities. 916 Ink, a local nonprofit, provides creative‑writing workshops and literacy tutoring to strengthen reading and writing skills among young people.
During the camp, participants will learn to craft beats in digital audio workstations, mix and master tracks, and write original lyrics. Production modules cover arrangement, sound design, and workflow best practices. Lyric‑writing sessions emphasize storytelling, rhyme structure, and thematic development. Guest speakers—producers, engineers, and artists—share industry insights and career advice. The daily free lunch supports nutrition and encourages a collaborative atmosphere.
The partnership blends the Department of Sound’s music‑education expertise with the NBA Foundation’s youth‑empowerment focus and 916 Ink’s literacy emphasis. Together, they create a multidisciplinary environment that nurtures both musical and verbal creativity. The camp’s limited capacity ensures individualized instruction and mentorship for each of the 20 participants.
After the production phase, campers submit their finished tracks to the organizers. Selected tracks will be compiled into SUMMEROFSOUND Vol. 1, a digital release that will be distributed on streaming platforms and shared with the broader Sacramento community. The final listening party, scheduled for the evening of August 7, will feature live playback of the compilation, allowing participants to hear their work in a public setting and celebrate their achievements.
The program aligns with the Department of Sound’s mission to use music as a tool for healing and empowerment. By offering a free, intensive, week‑long experience, the camp removes financial barriers that often prevent youth from accessing professional production equipment and industry mentorship. The collaboration with the NBA Foundation signals a broader commitment to supporting under‑served communities in Sacramento.
Interested applicants can apply online or learn more at www.deptofsound.org/summer-of-sound. Because only 20 spots are available, early application is recommended. The camp is open to youth aged 13 to 17, and no prior experience in music production is required.