JCP
06-01-2005, 11:33 AM
Oxford Summer Band Camp-Application Deadline Nears
OXFORD – For one week out of the summer, annually, the Oxford Academy High School becomes a Mecca for musical students who find joy in making music. Their “Summer Band Camp”, a week long, musical day camp will run from Monday, July 25th to Friday, July 29th, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Monday, June 13th, 2005, the deadline for application registrations, is swiftly approaching.
Summer Band Camp is for students, from all different schools, enrolled in band programs, who want to improve their music skills, meet new people, and have a fun and memorable week. The Oxford Academy “camp”, located at 50 South Washington Street, in Oxford, NY, is open to any students who have played at least one year. It offers a wide variety of performing ensembles and classes specifically designed for different ages and abilities. Opportunities are provided for significant growth for the advanced performer as well as the less experienced. Classes in Music Theory, Ear Training, Dixieland Music and African Drumming are just a few subjects offered.
While at camp, students get to work with a large and diverse music faculty in a supportive environment. Music teachers come from all over New York state and from around the country. They include professional performers, college and high school band directors, and talented college musicians. Also, each year the camp brings a professional composer to work with the students. In past years students at the camp have worked with great composers such as Timothy Broege, Robert Washburn, Larry Daehn, Kimberly Archer and Roger Cichy.
Considering what the students are getting, the $80.00/student is a very reasonable fee. Eight hour long days with some of the finest music instructors around, on a one-to-one basis, makes a fantastic learning experience. This camp gives students an important opportunity to advance their musical skills. They enter the new school year with a confidence in their abilities that only benefits the entire music program. To help the program, many groups and industries in the community contribute money towards scholarships so that as many students as possible can attend the camp. They don’t want money to be a reason for a student not participating.
Young musicians flock to Oxford from all over Chenango County, as well as different parts of the country like NH, PA, NJ & W VA. Many families invite close family friends or relatives to attend the camp from other school districts. The camp is a wonderful place for a diverse cross-section of students to easily join with others who share the same special common ground…music. They may leave Band Camp with new friends and a wonderful feeling of personal growth.
Days are not “all-work-and-no-play”. Just for fun, a theme is chosen each year, such as Hawaiian, Mardi Gras or Olympics. (The theme is kept a well guarded secret until the first day of camp.) They may learn a song to go with it, and fun diversions that break up the day are designed to coordinate with it. Kids are encouraged to wear related clothing, given novelty souvenirs, and sometimes food is even prepared to go with the theme. Trips to the town pool to cool off are also squeezed in.
The pinnacle of all those hours of learning and fun is on Friday, the last day of camp. There is a full camp evening concert at 6:00 PM. This is when families get to see all the talented children together performing the great music they have learned over the week. It’s a not-to-be-missed concert!
All of these opportunities add up to a wonderful experience for all students involved. The camp is constantly evolving and will include many new classes this summer.
For applications, questions, or to discuss financial difficulties, call: Thomas Bankert, Oxford Academy Band Director/Camp Coordinator at (607) 843-7185 at the Oxford Middle School; or by Email: tbankert@oxac.org . Parent volunteers are always needed; contact Mr. Bankert if you can give any time or provide refreshments for the students.
PHOTO CAPTION: The “Alpha” band under the direction of guest composer, Sean O’Laughlin.
OXFORD – For one week out of the summer, annually, the Oxford Academy High School becomes a Mecca for musical students who find joy in making music. Their “Summer Band Camp”, a week long, musical day camp will run from Monday, July 25th to Friday, July 29th, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Monday, June 13th, 2005, the deadline for application registrations, is swiftly approaching.
Summer Band Camp is for students, from all different schools, enrolled in band programs, who want to improve their music skills, meet new people, and have a fun and memorable week. The Oxford Academy “camp”, located at 50 South Washington Street, in Oxford, NY, is open to any students who have played at least one year. It offers a wide variety of performing ensembles and classes specifically designed for different ages and abilities. Opportunities are provided for significant growth for the advanced performer as well as the less experienced. Classes in Music Theory, Ear Training, Dixieland Music and African Drumming are just a few subjects offered.
While at camp, students get to work with a large and diverse music faculty in a supportive environment. Music teachers come from all over New York state and from around the country. They include professional performers, college and high school band directors, and talented college musicians. Also, each year the camp brings a professional composer to work with the students. In past years students at the camp have worked with great composers such as Timothy Broege, Robert Washburn, Larry Daehn, Kimberly Archer and Roger Cichy.
Considering what the students are getting, the $80.00/student is a very reasonable fee. Eight hour long days with some of the finest music instructors around, on a one-to-one basis, makes a fantastic learning experience. This camp gives students an important opportunity to advance their musical skills. They enter the new school year with a confidence in their abilities that only benefits the entire music program. To help the program, many groups and industries in the community contribute money towards scholarships so that as many students as possible can attend the camp. They don’t want money to be a reason for a student not participating.
Young musicians flock to Oxford from all over Chenango County, as well as different parts of the country like NH, PA, NJ & W VA. Many families invite close family friends or relatives to attend the camp from other school districts. The camp is a wonderful place for a diverse cross-section of students to easily join with others who share the same special common ground…music. They may leave Band Camp with new friends and a wonderful feeling of personal growth.
Days are not “all-work-and-no-play”. Just for fun, a theme is chosen each year, such as Hawaiian, Mardi Gras or Olympics. (The theme is kept a well guarded secret until the first day of camp.) They may learn a song to go with it, and fun diversions that break up the day are designed to coordinate with it. Kids are encouraged to wear related clothing, given novelty souvenirs, and sometimes food is even prepared to go with the theme. Trips to the town pool to cool off are also squeezed in.
The pinnacle of all those hours of learning and fun is on Friday, the last day of camp. There is a full camp evening concert at 6:00 PM. This is when families get to see all the talented children together performing the great music they have learned over the week. It’s a not-to-be-missed concert!
All of these opportunities add up to a wonderful experience for all students involved. The camp is constantly evolving and will include many new classes this summer.
For applications, questions, or to discuss financial difficulties, call: Thomas Bankert, Oxford Academy Band Director/Camp Coordinator at (607) 843-7185 at the Oxford Middle School; or by Email: tbankert@oxac.org . Parent volunteers are always needed; contact Mr. Bankert if you can give any time or provide refreshments for the students.
PHOTO CAPTION: The “Alpha” band under the direction of guest composer, Sean O’Laughlin.