TSMC Band Camp (now with pictures and updates!!)
Teaching at Band Camp is so fun. I just finished teaching week #1 at the Toronto Summer Music Camp. The cool thing about TSMC is that it is divided into 2 camps- a band camp, and an orchestra/band camp. So in the morning, I teach an ensemble, then a masterclass at one camp, eat lunch, then drive through the country to the other camp, and teach an ensemble and a masterclass.
It's always fun teaching, but this year I decided to try something a bit different for the ensembles. Since my groups were made up of both flutes and clarinets- we decided to write our own piece!! One ensemble wrote a piece with audience participation, and the other ensemble wrote more of a staged performance piece. Both pieces were based on the blues scale- and I was totally impressed by both of my groups and the amazing work they did! Way to go!!! It was a great experience, both for myself and for the kids- and I can't wait to have to opportunity to do something like that again! (Maybe in my student flute choir next year............)
Mr. Samotowka's Brave Adventure
It's always fun teaching, but this year I decided to try something a bit different for the ensembles. Since my groups were made up of both flutes and clarinets- we decided to write our own piece!! One ensemble wrote a piece with audience participation, and the other ensemble wrote more of a staged performance piece. Both pieces were based on the blues scale- and I was totally impressed by both of my groups and the amazing work they did! Way to go!!! It was a great experience, both for myself and for the kids- and I can't wait to have to opportunity to do something like that again! (Maybe in my student flute choir next year............)
New Updates!!!
It is now August, and camps 2 and 3 are over. I would have updated sooner- but I wanted to include some pictures!!! And, now I have them! So without further ado- a few stories and pictures from TSMC Camps 1, 2 and 3!!Mr. Samotowka's Brave Adventure
Early one morning, while Mr. Samotowka was working in the office, he heard a strange noise.
"What on earth is that sound?" he thought to himself. Not hearing the noise again, he went back to work. Yet after only a few seconds, there it was again!!
"Is that a knocking? A tapping? Is someone playing tricks on me?" Mr. Samotowka was very confused, and maybe even a little bit scared. He was the only one awake in the whole building. What if something crazy was about to happen? What if he was the something crazy??
Trembling with fear, armed only with his fancy camera, Mr. Samotowka crept out of the office and, staying close to the walls in true spy style, snuck towards the source of the sound. Closer and closer he crept, the eerie sound growing louder and more ominous with each of his silent steps.....
"What kind of strange creature is capable of making such a disturbing sound? Are there really ghosts here? Am I going to see a ghost?" Pale and scared, Mr. Samotowka took a deep breath, and mustered up all of the courage he had. He knew he would have to be strong and courageous if he was going to confront the unknown creature of terror. With one last step he turned the final corner and came face to face with the raging beast.......
This year, Albion Hills was overrun with wild turkeys!! Most of the teachers and campers were lucky enough to see the turkeys, either in the fields or in and amongst the trees. Some of us even saw families of turkeys- with up to 10 babies each!! And thanks to Mr. Samotowka's brave adventure, there are even a couple of great pictures to share with you!
"What on earth is that sound?" he thought to himself. Not hearing the noise again, he went back to work. Yet after only a few seconds, there it was again!!
"Is that a knocking? A tapping? Is someone playing tricks on me?" Mr. Samotowka was very confused, and maybe even a little bit scared. He was the only one awake in the whole building. What if something crazy was about to happen? What if he was the something crazy??
Trembling with fear, armed only with his fancy camera, Mr. Samotowka crept out of the office and, staying close to the walls in true spy style, snuck towards the source of the sound. Closer and closer he crept, the eerie sound growing louder and more ominous with each of his silent steps.....
"What kind of strange creature is capable of making such a disturbing sound? Are there really ghosts here? Am I going to see a ghost?" Pale and scared, Mr. Samotowka took a deep breath, and mustered up all of the courage he had. He knew he would have to be strong and courageous if he was going to confront the unknown creature of terror. With one last step he turned the final corner and came face to face with the raging beast.......
A TURKEY!!!
This year, Albion Hills was overrun with wild turkeys!! Most of the teachers and campers were lucky enough to see the turkeys, either in the fields or in and amongst the trees. Some of us even saw families of turkeys- with up to 10 babies each!! And thanks to Mr. Samotowka's brave adventure, there are even a couple of great pictures to share with you!
A few more pictures....
(that's me on the left, in the brown dress!)
Towards the end of each camp we have a faculty concert. This is a concert where the teachers and counselors get to play for all of the campers. There's always a huge variety- from solo performances to larger ensembles, jazz or rock songs to a classical concerto. Whatever we do, the campers are always an incredible and attentive audience!!! At one of the concerts this year, my assistant (and counselor extraordinaire) Emily and I played a fun piccolo duet from Harry Potter.
(that's me on the left, in the brown dress!)Usually the day after the faculty concert, the campers get their own chance to perform. For the duration of each camp, all of the campers are put into small ensembles- where basically each person is on a solo part. The groups can range in size from 2 to 10 or more!! One of my groups this year was an awesome flute choir. Continuing with the Harry Potter extravaganza, we played Hedwig's Theme. That's me conducting- but without a music stand!! Ooops!!
Another part of my job at camp is to teach masterclass. This is one of my favourite times of the day!! Basically, masterclass is the time where all of the students get to learn about and concentrate on the basics of flute playing. We do things like breathing exercises and stretching (musicians are athletes of the small muscles!!). We also get a chance to focus on technical aspects, sound production and a ton of other fun flute things!! Here's a nice black and white photo of us playing a tone exercise.
Another part of my job at camp is to teach masterclass. This is one of my favourite times of the day!! Basically, masterclass is the time where all of the students get to learn about and concentrate on the basics of flute playing. We do things like breathing exercises and stretching (musicians are athletes of the small muscles!!). We also get a chance to focus on technical aspects, sound production and a ton of other fun flute things!! Here's a nice black and white photo of us playing a tone exercise.
Of course there are a ton of other fun stories, but that's all I have time for right now. Maybe I'll add on to this later on. If you have any stories about camp, or pictures you'd like to share, please feel free to send me an e-mail. I'd love to hear from you!!!
Thanks for an awesome 3 weeks!!!
posted by coachhousemusic at 1:08 p.m.
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