At the Seven Springs Orchestra Camp’s first full ensemble practice Monday afternoon, organizer Sue Radloff watched the young musicians with a smile on her face.

For the fifth year, the camp is allowing music students to improve their skills during the summer months in an affordable manner.

“We want students to get enthused about playing their instruments and broaden their horizons,” Radloff said.

Radloff, along with her two daughters, are the counselors of the day camp, which is held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. this week.

At the camp, students learn orchestra music, small ensemble pieces, and study the history of world music in movies. Small groups of three to five students work on music together throughout the day before practicing as a large group for the last hour.

“We work on skills, too, but of course we have some fun with it,” Radloff said.

According to Radloff, the camp began a few years ago when a few students approached her about creating the camp. They explained they wanted to attend orchestra camps, but they were either too far away or too expensive.

Radloff created the camp and decided to hold it in her own home.

This year, 26 students ages 9 to 14 are participating in the camp. Some travel from Iowa and Wisconsin for the camp.

“For students without orchestra programs back home, this gives them the chance to perform in an ensemble,” Radloff said.

The camp will conclude with a free concert at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Veteran’s Pavillion in Bandshell Park. Many of the large group pieces will be from movies such as “Frozen,” “The Little Mermaid” and “Phantom of the Opera.”

Small ensembles of three to four players will perform as well.