Summer Music Camp -- info and review -- Glen Echo, MD

[Anonymous]

Dreaming of warm days as the the chill winds whip through? August music camp sounds good to me! I don't run it, but my kids love it, and yours might, too.

First I'll share the official description, and then give you my personal review as a parent.

Offical info:

The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer is pleased to announce its fifth annual Summer Music Camp.
Monday, August 8, through Friday, August 12, 2011, 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.

The camp, designed for children and youth ages 7-15 (campers must have completed first grade), will be staffed by three professional musical educators from the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Siblings are welcome.

Tuition for the week is $350. This includes a non-refundable fee of $100 due at registration. As staff is contracted and supplies are purchased according to the number of campers, no tuition will be refunded once camp has begun.

Camp highlights include:

Utilization of portions of the Orff and Dalcroze methodologies
Introduction to reading musical notation
Study of rhythm through motion
Study of basic vocal production and solfege
Choral singing
Introduction to drum circle technique
Interactive closing performance for family and friends
Arts and Crafts
Organized outdoor recreation time on the church grounds
Visit to the historic carousel at Glen Echo Park
Nature Walk
Lunch and a snack provided daily
Teacher/student ratio approximately 1 to 6
Scholarships available

For more information, contact Thomas Smith, Director of Music, at 301.229.3770, or by e-mail at [e-mail]. Deadline for registration is July 15, 2011.

And now my personal review, based on two summers' experience:

Energetic teachers who work really well together, are attuned to the kids' needs, and take music and fun seriously. Multi-generational volunteers who adore kids and have a great time making lunches and keeping tabs on things.

Ample summer silliness and outside time to get the kids good and tired by pick-up. Interesting art projects (not just foam letters on copier paper).

I value that my kids get to spend time with other great kids from different backgrounds in the DC area and make music together. And at the end of the week, the performance for parents is impressive -- this group of mixed age, mixed gender, and mixed SES kids clearly works hard and learns a lot about music.

It's at a church, but it's NOT "church camp". The kids do spend time in the sanctuary (a modern, sunny space with a baby grand and an awesome organ). Music selections are not religious, and there's no pressure *at all* to join the congregation. I remember they performed some traditional folk songs and sophisticated African rhythms at the last camp.

The application is not yet posted on the website, but I know that summer calendars get booked up fast, so I wanted to share this with DC urban moms who might be looking for something interesting and high value for those loooong days of August. The church website has pictures of the sanctuary and the youth choir (www.redeemerbethesda.org).

I'm happy to email reg forms or answer questions, or you can contact Tom Smith directly (info above).

Ann Mosher
[e-mail]