School of Music summer camps help young musicians improve skills
School of Music summer camps help young musicians improve skills
Riverside, Calif. (Aug. 3, 2021) – Middle school and high school students spent many hours practicing sight-reading and playing music as they prepared for a concert for family and friends during a Summer Music Camp held at California Baptist University.
CBU’s Young Musicians Program band camp in July was a collaboration with Inland Empire Musical Arts, a nonprofit that offers music classes to youth in the community. This summer, faculty led different weeklong camps for jazz, band, and strings.
Dr. Guy Holliday, associate dean of undergraduate studies and director of bands, led the band camp. He said the week provided students an occasion to grow their musical abilities.
“These camps give students the opportunity to play music together again, which is something many students have gone without since March of 2020,” Holliday said. “For middle and high school students, Summer Music Camp helps students to keep their musical chops up before their school band program starts in the fall.”
During this year’s band camp, the nearly 50 participants were put into one band. They played songs such as “An American Fanfare,” “Blessed Are They” and “The Imperial March.”
“Next year (post COVID), we anticipate having enough students to create two bands—one for middle schoolers and one for high schoolers,” Holliday said.
Steven Lees, an 11th grader at Hillcrest High School in Riverside, asked his mom to sign him up for the opportunity to play music with other students.
“It’s been a great experience to play with other people instead of just yourself. I learned how to stay on tempo instead of going at my own pace,” Lees said.
Brody Elsey, a seventh grader at Christian Heritage School in Corona, said his favorite song to rehearse was “The Imperial March” from “Star Wars.” He also enjoyed meeting other students.
“I have really liked having the opportunity to make new friends and improve on my music,” Elsey said. “I’ve had so much fun here at CBU.”
Devon Lees, an eighth grader at Villegas Middle School in Riverside, said he was excited to be a part of the camp because he is interested in music.
“The best part has been learning all the notes and sounds and putting it all together to hear what it becomes,” Lees said.