Last year I was hired to work at a Vocal Music Camp here in Southern Idaho for a week in the month of July. It turned out to be a wonderful experience; both for me as well as Tacey. She came along and participated in the camp. This year, as I knew better how the camp runs, and what they had to offer I took McCade as well. Again, we had an amazing time.We left Shelley on Sunday evening; also bringing along our friend Alexis. We were up and checking in at an early hour; by the end of the day when we arrived back at the Hotel, I had tired kids that were actually VERY excited to do their Music Theory homework. Alas, I fear the homework excitement won't last; especially into the school year.
McCade didn't actually have homework, but he was exhausted nonetheless. He was concerned at the beginning of the day that he would not make any friends. I was confident that he would make friends quickly, and since his classes were tailored to boys it was only a matter of minutes before he would have friends.
Tacey took composition as her Music Theory class this year. I think she found it enjoyable if stressful.
There are 6 class periods offered each day; depending upon the age of the child they are eligible for 4, 5 or 6 hour blocks. These classes must include Master Class, Music Theory and Musical Theatre, with Choir, Acting, Choreography and Opera among the electives. Camp begins at 8:45 with vocal warm ups, then classes start at 9:00 and go until noon. Then there is 45 minutes for lunch, and then a sing-in. Each day there is a recital after lunch. Monday it is the faculty, Tuesday it is a guest artist, Wednesday it is a Comedy recital (We were the biggest hit of the comedy recital this year), and then Thursday is a student non-master class related recital. After that we return for another 3 hours of classes. This year I taught Intermediate Music Theory, Beginning Girl's Musical Theatre, Boy's Musical Theatre, Beginning Acting, Choreography and Advanced Girl's Musical Theatre.
Thursday Night we had the Master Class recital, and BOTH Tacey and McCade did amazing jobs.
McCade sang a song from the Musical
Working by Stephen Schwartz;
Neat to be a Newsboy. He was VERY nervous, and despite a small 'forgetting' incident at the beginning was the hit of the recital.
He did have amazing stage presence.
And had the added bonus of being allowed to throw newspapers off the stage over the accompanist's head. Definitely a bonus for a 10 year-old boy.
Selling newspapers! (Not to mention the song!)
Before the throw. . . after the throw.
Tacey sang one of my FAVORITE songs;
Children of the Wind from the Musical
RAGS also by Stephen Schwartz. I guess I was in a Stephen Schwartz mood this year!
Okay, I will say she LOVES this picture; and yes, it is impressively dramatic. The 'Mom' in me likes all the pictures. The VOICE teacher in me sees something else in this picture; we will leave those thoughts out of this blog. haha!
Friday morning is spent in Dress Rehearsal for the final concert of Friday afternoon. This year Tacey was asked to play the lead in the Opera;
The Merry Widow. BOTH the 'Mom' and the 'Voice Teacher' believe she did an amazing job.
Opera Divas get to wear great dresses and TIARAS!
There were performances by both the boys and girls choirs. McCade LOVED Choir.
The concert ended with the Musical Theatre pieces. This year I chose to do stuff from
The Lion King. This is
The Circle of Life. McCade is there on the left with the giraffe visor on his head.
This is Tacey in
Can You Feel the Love Tonight?McCade and a cutie little girl named Kate in
I Just Can't Wait to be King.
More
I Just Can't Wait to be King. Aren't they just the cutest partners?
And the finale version of
The Circle of Life.
Don't you just love the visor?
This is McCade's best buddy from camp; Todd. He is about a year older than McCade.
Two peas in a pod.
We had 6 different visor designs; aren't they cute? Okay, they are a bit dorky; well, a lot dorky. HOWEVER, if the purpose of the class was to try to re-create the Broadway show to a certain extent, then these did the trick. In order to SEE the animals, they had to use and hold their heads just like they did on Broadway with those amazing headdresses!
We loved Rise Up and Sing 2010, and look forward to NEXT year!
Danielle
