Salina Journal News: 2ND SWKMA STRING MUSIC CAMP COMING UP THIS SUMMER AT GCCC

2ND SWKMA STRING MUSIC CAMP COMING UP THIS SUMMER AT GCCC

6/1/2009

2ND SWKMA STRING MUSIC CAMP COMING UP THIS SUMMER AT GCCC
Registration deadline soon for three-day event featuring 11 top conductors, musicians

            Garden City Community College created a first-ever event last summer when it hosted the Southwest Kansas Music Academy Summer String Music Camp, featuring Salina Symphony Conductor Ken Hakoda, and the event was so successful that it’s going to take place again.

The 2009 Summer Strings Camp has been scheduled for July 14-16, and Coordinator Doug Beyer is hoping to double participation with a total of 50 young musicians.

            Drawing on the talents of professional musicians, conductors and educators from across the state, the gathering is open to string music students entering or leaving grades 7-12.

            The camp will conclude with a public orchestra concert at 7 p.m. July 16 in the auditorium of the Pauline Joyce Fine Arts Building, following three days of full and sectional rehearsals, music theory classes, music literature courses and individual lessons. Seating auditions will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 13. Actual camp activities are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 14-16 at the fine arts building. Beyer, director of the campus-based music academy and GCCC string music program, is already receiving advance registrations.

            The director has also expanded the camp to include optional overnight room and board, and recruited a faculty of 11 visiting conductors, professors and top musicians.

REGISTRATION

            The deadline to register is July 6, or June 15 for anyone interested in on-campus meals and lodging. The cost is $125 to attend the full three days, including lunches; an additional $125 for the optional residence hall accommodations and three daily meals; and $15 for optional private lessons. The camp will take place only if there is sufficient enrollment.

            Students and parents should contact the director at 620-275-3250; or Audra Peitz in the college fine arts office, 620-276-9540. They may also be reached via e-mail at douglas.beyer@gcccks.edu or audra.peitz@gcccks.edu.

The camp is designed with three orchestras:

• A philharmonic orchestra for the middle and junior high school performers.

• A symphony orchestra for high school-level musicians.

• A chamber orchestra or ensemble, made up of selected student performers from the symphony group.

Each main orchestra will go through full rehearsals daily, Beyer explained, as well as sectional rehearsals. In addition, the chamber group will participate in an additional full and sectional rehearsal each day. Students can also get the optional individual lessons, which help in preparing for state music festival competition, and each will participate in classes on music theory and music literature.

CLINICIANS FROM UNIVERSITIES

        The camp’s symphony and chamber orchestra conductor will be Dr. David Littrell, Manhattan, Kansas State University distinguished professor of music. Hakoda, the Kansas Wesleyan University choral music director and Salina Symphony director, will be back as philharmonic conductor.

        In addition to Beyer, camp staff members include Dr. Tami Lee Hughes, Manhattan, University of Kansas violin professor; Hannah Bartel, Ingalls, Kansas State University music graduate; Sarah Baxter, Wichita, Kansas Newman University string music instructor; and Benjamin Morris-Cline, Hays, Fort Hays State University Music Department chairman. Others are Summer Miller, Garden City High School orchestra director; Wendy Mickey, Dodge City High School orchestra director; Sarah Bartel, Ingalls, Kansas State University music graduate; and Karen Heath, Ulysses school system string music director.