Camper Handbook of Finger Lakes Music Camp - Essay Example

Finger Lakes Music Camp Camper Handbook Dear Campers, Welcome to the Finger Lakes Music Camp. You are joining a long tradition of musical excellence. For the past 25 years, the Finger Lakes Music Camp has featured full symphony orchestras, choirs, bands, jazz ensembles, and music classes for young musicians. I invite you and students from all over the United States and several foreign countries to explore your musical talent while making lifelong friendships. Join fellow students and the faculty from prominent music schools in the breathtaking natural beauty of the Finger Lakes region in New York State. This is the Finger Lakes Music Camp. I am looking forward to meeting you. Sincerely, Bennett R. Coburn Director, Finger Lakes Music Camp Finger Lakes Music Camp Overview Finger Lakes Music Camp (FLMC) conducts a series of five summer camps starting on Sunday with registration at 4 pm at Granger Lodge, followed by a brief meeting for all campers in the recital hall. Students are admitted to camp without auditions but will participate in chair-seating auditions on the first Monday of camp. All camps have a full schedule, with classes beginning at 8:30 am and ending at approximately 5:00 pm daily. Groups are formed as follows: Young musicians: Students with at least one year of musical training develop ensemble skills and take classes in technique and music theory. Accomplished group: Students with two years of instruction on their primary instrument participate in chamber groups, orchestra, ensemble, and chorus. Advanced group: Exceptional and older players can improve their skills in orchestra and symphonic band, jazz ensemble, and solo performance. Piano concentration: Pianists of all experience levels prepare solo and ensemble pieces, concentrating on classical technique. Composition: Advanced musicians can participate in the Composition program and create two major compositions—one as a group and another an individual work. General Policies The following sections describe the Finger Lakes Music Camp policies for admission and attendance. Visit our Web site at www.FLMC.net for more information. Instruments Only certain instruments are available for rental during the camp, and those are reserved for students who must take air transportation to camp. All others please bring your instruments to camp. Contact the camp office in advance if you need an instrument. Insurance charges might be assessed on rental instruments. A small number of bows, strings, mouthpieces and percussion mallets are available for each session. Meals Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served in the dining hall. Some special dietary requirements can be accommodated with prior arrangement. Families are welcome to picnic at the camp before the concerts at the end of each session. Health Care Campers should report health problems, chronic ailments, and continuing medications to your counselor at check in. A nurse is on staff for non-emergency medical attention, and students can be transported to a nearby health center if necessary. Students requiring emergency medical attention will be taken to Wilson Memorial Hospital. Medical Forms Parents must confirm a physical examination within the last 24 months. A confidential medical history and release form, a copy of your current medical insurance card, and a camper liability waiver must be received by May 1. Doctor’s forms are also due by May 1. If your child has a special health condition, or you have other questions, please contact the Finger Lakes Music Camp. Camp Store Campers can purchase supplies, snacks, and camp t-shirts at the Finger Lakes Camp Store. Finger Lakes is a cashless camp, so parents can set up a store account for their camper. Accommodations Campers sleep on cots in tents on platform decks in supervised groups that are assigned by age. All campers have access to indoor showers, toilets, and changing rooms. Every effort will be made to assign friends to the same group if requests (limited to 2) are noted on the application. Recreation Basketball, volleyball, swimming, sailing, softball, and arts and crafts are all a part of the day at Finger Lakes Music Camp. A wide range of planned activities, from concerts, recitals, and master classes to campfires and skit nights, make camp evenings memorable and fun. Music Education: Our Philosophy To answer common questions about music education and methods, please read the following statement, reproduced from the Finger Lakes Music Camp Governor’s meeting. "I get the most joy out of my violin. I often think in music, I see my life in terms of music." Albert Einstein Students of all ages need to identify their full potential, including their potential in the creative and performing arts. Music is an essential element in a varied and robust education. Music classes can present material to accommodate varied learning styles among diverse groups of students. Learning musical skills such as singing, listening, moving, playing, reading, and creating leads to musical understanding and appreciation. To foster musical skills and understanding, students should be exposed to all types of music, including world and Western music, and the common genres such as pop, classical, jazz, and folk music. The overarching goal of FLMC is to expose students to a broad range of musical experiences and provide opportunities for making music in groups. Registration Application Procedures Submit a registration form for a session at Finger Lakes Music Camp with a 25% deposit. We will send detailed information about first day enrollment, transportation, and accommodations upon admittance. Final payment is due two weeks before the start of camp. Faculty Our faculty and staff come from accredited universities, colleges, public schools, and professional performing organizations. We also welcome professional guest artists to lead master classes and performances. Academic Faculty Director of Music: Establishes musical goals and oversees camp operations. Orchestra conductors: Each session provides 2-3 orchestra conductorswho lead the orchestras and ensembles. Guest orchestra conductors: We host a guest orchestra conductor at least once per session. Band conductors: Each session provides 1-2 band conductors who lead the symphonic bands. Choral conductors: Each session provides 2-3 choral conductors who also offer private voice training. Composition instructor: Each session provides 1 instructor in composition and theory. Piano and keyboard: Each session provides 2-3 master-level piano teachers. Staff Camp Director Counselors Recreation assistant Stage manager Office managers Camp nurses Cooks Morning Schedule Monday, Wednesday, Friday Tuesday, Thursday Notes 7:00 am Reveille Reveille 7:30 am Breakfast Breakfast All meals are served in the dining hall 7:45 am Faculty and staff performance Faculty and staff performance A FLMC tradition 8:30 am All camp choir Elective 1 9:45 am All camp ensembles Elective 2 10:45 am Major ensemble Major ensemble 12:30 pm Lunch and break Lunch and break Students can return to their tents for a rest period 12:45 pm Faculty and staff performance Faculty and staff performance Afternoon Schedule Monday, Wednesday, Friday Tuesday, Thursday Notes 1:45 pm Recreation 1 Recreation 1 Students can sign up for their recreational activity each day 2:45 Recreation 2 Recreation 2 3:45 pm Major ensembles Major ensembles 5:15 pm Free time Free time Practice halls are open for practice 6:00 pm Dinner Dinner 7:00 pm Evening activity Evening activity 9:30 pm Campfire Campfire 10:00 pm Taps Taps Time varies according to evening activity Read More