For some reason, when I think about a music camp, I picture a Pied Piper leading groups of kids off into the mountains. While the SOGO summer music camp may include some twinkly flute music, it will also showcase a wide variety of music genres. Read on to learn more about the June 26 – July 7 summer music camp.
The summer music camp, led by local music instructors and supported by SOGO Conservatory members, is geared toward musicians interested in becoming more involved in music. It’s the perfect summer experience for upper elementary students and middle school students who want to rock, swing, and explore music styles from around the globe. There is even a beginning band class that is ideal for budding musicians.
“There is a definite need for a music day camp like this in the greater Olympia area,” says SOGO Artistic Director, Greg Allison. The camp has been on a hiatus for a few years but SOGO is enthusiastic about its resurrection. Allison mentions there are overnight music camps available to Thurston County youth musicians but nothing quite like the SOGO summer music camp for kids that want to stay local.
“I enjoyed the camp because it wasn’t just classical music,” says Caddie Derby, a SOGO musician for the past eight years. The Northwest Christian High School senior adds that she enjoyed fiddling, a bucket drum workshop and playing as a full orchestra when she attended the camp.
Emma Tranum, a French horn player who is a sophomore at Olympia High School, attended the camp when she was in seventh grade. “I was able to play music with a group of people that enjoyed it as much as me. That’s the great thing about music outside of school – you know everyone really wants to be there,” she says.
SOGO is staffed by a team of teaching artists, each an expert in their instrument with a focus on helping the kids become better musicians. “During the summer music camp, the teaching artists pushed us past our normal limits,” recalls Capital High School sophomore, Brittany Bertolin. “They were so nice and supportive.”
“Kids can expect high quality and positive instruction given in a unique setting with a concert at the end – and even a camp t-shirt,” adds Allison.
With a class list that includes rock orchestra, steel drumming, mariachi, and jazz band, kids are able to explore a variety of different music styles during the summer music camp. “When pulling together the schedule, we brainstormed what kind of music classes would be interesting, educational, fun and unusual for middle school and upper elementary school students,” explains Allison.
“I enjoyed playing a style of music that I don’t typically have an opportunity to play,” says Tranum. “The SOGO summer music camp is a great way to improve on your instrument and have lots of fun at the same time.”
“And you can be introduced to people in the music world that will support and help you go as far as you want to go,” adds Derby. “The SOGO summer music camp is geared toward opening up opportunities for young musicians looking for musical outlets.”
“At the SOGO summer music camp, kids get the opportunity to try something different that might just rock their world of music,” summarizes Allison.
To learn more about the SOGO summer music camp, including registration details, visit SOGO’s website. The camp will take place June 26 – July 7 at Washington Middle School. You can also hear Caddie, Emma and Brittany play as part of the SOGO Conservatory orchestra during the spring concert on Sunday, May 21 at 4:00 p.m. at The Washington Center. Concert tickets can be purchased here.
