Day 8: Building Confidence!

Today marks one week into choir camp!

Students groggily climbed out of bed to the sound of The Ring Cycle by Wagner played on a speaker at 7:30 am. After another delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, cereal, and toast, the campers resumed their usual warm up routine in the redwood amphitheater. Special guest Juliet from Ensemble led the singers in a full body stretching exercise!

One week into camp, musician teachers are not only finding growth, but passion in their classes! Eric’s musicianship class walked away with atonal melodies in their heads while Andrew’s class repeated, “strawberry ti-ti” over and over again! (Ask your kid about it when you see them next:) )

Meanwhile, Camp Joyful Voices enjoyed learning new music, snack time, and theory time with Ms. Anne at their second rehearsal. Already a sense of community is brewing at the Camp Joyful Voices cabin—campers Piper and Maddy even helped their friends with their theory book exercises.

Mr. Brown reports the tales of Concert Choir learning their music at a quick and impressive pace in rehearsal. Singers enjoyed a lunch of parmesan gnocchi, braised beef, and salad at noon. Today’s spirit day participants wore backwards shirts, sunglasses on the back of their heads, and socks over shoes to celebrate Topsy Turvy day. Because campers Imogen and Eloise were the only ones in their cabins wanting to participate, they did a cross-cabin collaboration called “Floral Coral” and won Third Place! Second place went to Cabin Butterfly, and first place to Fire Sprite. Honorable mention went to “ZTIRF” (AKA Fritz backwards!)

While Ensemble’s newly appointed student section leaders led their first sectionals in the afternoon, the Arts and Crafts table was filled with camper-made clay creations. Brian crafted a clay dinosaur, Scarlett and Nola made a ring holder, and many other campers made “catch-alls!” While Aiden enjoyed the adventures of ping-pong, Lisa tried Badminton out with counselor Mia.

Recital was filled with inspiring piano, musical theater, and art song pieces. The counselors even brought a special performance of Cape Breton Lullaby to welcome the new Camp Joyful Voices. After dinner, chocolatey dessert, and more hard work in rehearsals; singers eagerly rushed to the the long-awaited Open Mic Night!

The outdoor stage was filled with brave performers who had been rehearsing their acts for days. After Trina opened the show singing Flashlight by Jessie J, the rest of the show featured acts by Sarah, Oona, Keira, Sophia W, Imogen, June R, Eliana, Juliet, and Cara. Campers and staff in the audience laughed loudly at the original skit performed by Adrian, Fritz, Avi, and Andrew L, as well as counselor Owen Klein’s stand-up comedy show! Friends were proud of Natasha who conquered her fear of singing in front of people with “Let it Go” from Frozen, using blue pieces of fabrics as her tutu and her “snow.” Ainsley shared her original poetry and song, and Morgan, Keira, and Ela performed Driver’s License by Olivia Rodrigo as a trio. By the time the show was finished, campers walked away with a new sense of pride, camaraderie, and friendship.