Soo Theatre is pleased to announce
our chamber music camp is back and has expanded! This summer, we will be offering our chamber
music camp for woodwinds and brass players as well as strings. This camp will run July 22-26, from
4:30-7:30pm each day.
What is chamber music? Chamber music is where you have a small group (typically 4-8 players) where there is only one person on each part. The string quartet consists of 2 violins, 1 viola, and 1 cello. A quintet would include the double bass. A woodwind quintet is most commonly one flute, one oboe, one clarinet, a french horn, and a bassoon. And a brass quintet is most commonly two trumpets, one french horn, one trombone, and one tuba. All of the above instruments, as well as saxophone are welcome in this camp!
Chamber music is a lot of fun and really helps to develop a person’s ear and makes them a stronger, more confident player. Chamber music builds teamwork and collaboration, teaches critical listening skills, puts more emphasis on musicality and phrasing where students learn to communicate expression and emotion through their part. It also helps to develop leadership in directing, as there is no conductor to watch. Each member learns to communicate in an unspoken manner.
This camp is planned for evening hours because it is open to both youth (middle and high school students) and adults!
Each day, students will work together to prepare a piece/piece(s) with their ensemble that could be performed at the end of the week. Students work with a chamber music coach, who will work on notes, rhythms, intonation, balance, blend, and more. Students may also listen to a professional group of chamber musicians and watch them rehearse to see what sorts of strategies they employ for rehearsing together, followed by a question and answer session.
Our strings coaches for the week are Dottie Case and Maggie Twining, both instructors at the Soo Theatre.
Our woodwind coach for this camp is
Mr. Alan Jacobus, who has been actively involved in music education for over 40
years. He received his B.M.E. degree
from the University of Kentucky, and has done graduate work at the University
of Illinois, Western Michigan University, Ball State University, and Central
Michigan University. Mr. Jacobus
recently retired from 41 years of teaching.
For the past 20 years, he was the Director of Bands for the Les Cheneaux
Community Schools in Cedarville.
Mr. Jacobus has been recognized twice by Who’s Who in American Education, and has been named to the USA TODAY All-American Teacher Team as an outstanding national educator. In 2005, he was named as the Michigan Band Teacher of the Year. He recently served as the State President of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association, and has served on the conducting faculty of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. He is an active member of the MSBOA and the American School Band Directors Association.
Our brass coach for the week is Mr.
Brian Carter, whocomes to us from
Alpena, MI. Mr. Carter has been involved
locally in the pit orchestra for many of Soo Theatre’s summer productions. Mr. Carter has been a participant and soloist
in the Vianden International Chamber Music Festival in Luxembourg, the Ischia
Chamber Music Festival in Italy, the White Lake Music Festival in Montague,
Michigan and the Baroque on Beaver Music Festival in Michigan. Currently
principal horn of the MSO and Gaylord Community Orchestra, he is also a member
of the SSO and GLCO. As an active chamber musician he performs with the MSO
Brass Quintet and CANUSA wind quintet. In addition to his busy performing
schedule, he is also Music Director of the Tawas Community Concert Band in
Tawas, Michigan.
Deadline to enroll for this camp is June 30, so don’t delay in signing up! The early deadline is to accommodate getting music to players before the start of camp, so you can come prepared to make beautiful music!
KEYNOTE ADDRESS AND INCLUSION THEATRE WORKSHOP
Join us for a keynote address on Monday, July 1 at 5pm at the Soo Theatre to hear more about the “Inclusion Revolution.” The past 10 years have been thrilling for the arts and inclusion. Inclusion is an act of creating not just a safe space for marginalized communities, but a level playing field for all. Orion Couling has been at the forefront of this process! Join Orion and the Soo Theatre for a thrilling evening of storytelling, pictures, and simple strategies you can use to make your school, church, or family more open to people with intellectual and physical disabilities. Watch next week’s article for more information!
SAVE THE DATE
June 21 at 7pm and June 22 at 2pm, Alice in Wonderland Jr. performed by our middle school, high school, and elementary school Alice and Wonderland Jr. campers.
Register for Summer Camps at the Soo theatre
We have fifteen amazing camps to choose from for all ages from preschool to adults varying from musical theatre camps to chamber music and so much in between.
Call to register today!
Soo Theatre Project, 534 Ashmun Street, SSM 49783, (906) 632-1930, www.sootheatre.org.
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