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Health & Fitness

VIDEOS: WestConn (WCSU) 2014 Summer String Camp Concert Was Impressive!

Report and Photography by Paula Antolini

Parents looking for a stimulating and exciting musical experience for their children during the summer months might want to consider the Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) Summer String Camp.   

The WCSU Department of Music presented their 2014 Summer String Camp Concert on Saturday, July 19 at 12:00 p.m. in Ives Concert Hall in Danbury CT.  It was quite impressive, considering the students basically have only four days to learn the material.

Music ranged from Mozart and Bach to Jimi Hendrix, a Beatles medley, a Theme from Thailand, and more.  The concert also included a selection of songs performed by a choir of all 113 camp students.

Five Bethel CT students attended the 2014 camp. Other students were from the vicinity and beyond, traveling from CT and other states, from as far away as Boston, Massachusetts.

Please view a sample of the choir performance and orchestra performance below (a DVD of the entire performance is available through the university Summer String Camp program):

View here: STRADIVARIUS ORCHESTRA performing Symphony No. 25, Allegro Con Brio by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

View here: CHOIR performing "Can You Hear" by James Papoulis.

The concert was the culmination of a week of work by staff and students attending a youth Summer String Camp for students in grades 5-12, as overnight residents or commuters.  

The comprehensive program that ran from July 13, 2014 to July 19, 2014, included ensemble instruction exploring alternate string styles, and participation in a choir.  

The week began with an audition by each participant to determine ensemble placement. They each prepared a selection of their choice that best demonstrated their level of ability.  The camp accepts all musical levels, whether a student is 10 years old and attending camp for the first time, or a high school student looking to expand their playing experience. The Summer Strings Camp Program promises to be one of the most enriching experiences of their life.

The final concert performance was as follows:

CHOIR, Mike Martone, Director
Can You Hear……….James Papoulis / arr. Nunez
May It Be……….Eitne Ni Bhraonain, Nicky Ryan & Roma Ryan
Bohemian Rhapsody……….Freddie Mercury

AMATI ROCKESTRA, Hafez Taghai, Director
Man In The Mirror……….Glen Ballard & Siedah Garret / arr. Longfield
Over The Rainbow……….Harold Arlen / arr. Bob Phillipps & Andy Beck

AMATI ORCHESTRA, Chris Hisey, Director
Brandenberg Concerto No. 3, I. Allegro Moderato……….J.S.Bach
Let It Go……….arr. Larry Moore
The Incredibles (main theme)……….Michael Giacchino / arr. John Moss
Fantasia on a Theme from Thailand……….Richard Meyer

STRADIVARIUS ROCKESTRA, Hafez Taghavi, Director
Purple Haze……….Jimi Hendrix / arr. Larry Moore
The Fab Four……….Lennon and McCartney / arr. Larry Moore
Kashmir……….arr. Tim McCarrick

STRADIVARIUS ORCHESTRA, Fernando Jimenez, Director
Symphony No. 25, Allegro Con Brio……….Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart / arr. Don Brubaker
Chaconne in E Minor……….Dietrich Buxtehude / arr. Robert Hause
Dance of the Trolls……….Mike Forbes

COMBINED CAMP ORCHESTRA, Chris Hisey, Director
Overture to William Tell Finale……….Rossini / arr. Dackow

The summer program also includes a versatile sports and recreational program.  Free time is spent in organized activities that are age level appropriate such as concerts and performances by the faculty and guests; movies shown in a full size theater; volleyball, kickball, wiffle ball, frisbee etc.

Cost of the program for String Instrumentalists (Grades 5-12) is: Residents: $785; Commuters $575. Students are eligible for scholarships (one scholarship per person) as follows: $100.00 for participation in 2013 all-state or region string festival, or $100 for participation in a youth orchestra.  Auditions this year were on Sunday, July 18, 2014.

The commuter program was from 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, with a carnival on the WCSU campus from 5-8:30 p.m. on Friday evening, that included water activities fun and games. Resident campers enjoyed a dinner Monday to Friday from 5-6:00 p.m. with a concert or activity afterwards until 7:00 p.m.  Overnight campers are housed in Newbury Hall and are supervised by adult live-in counselors who are first aid certified.  The final concert was on Saturday at noon in Ives Concert hall at WSCU.

For more information about the Summer Strings Camp: http://www.wcsu.edu/summermusic/strings.asp

A Summer Band Camp is also offered: http://www.wcsu.edu/summermusic/band_jazz.asp

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