Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Parents have until July 31 to register their children for Music Discovery Camp, a summer camp offered each year by the Music Preparatory Division of the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music.
This year's camp is scheduled from Aug. 5 through 9 with a theme of "Have a Blast With the Past," according to Music Preparatory Division Director Pat Barnett.
"This year, we will be discovering musical theatre and the different elements involved, including choreography, set design, costumes and music," Barnett said. "Students will also learn about important events in history and how they relate to various musical genres."
Children in second through sixth grades will be invited to be part of a cast that travels back through the 20th century to relive the "Roaring Twenties" and experience the Big Band era, the birth of rock 'n roll and great songs from the '70s, '80s and '90s, Barnett said. A fun and creative craft project ties the decades together, and the musical style of each decade is highlighted in the performance of a musical review at the end of the camp. The historical perspective will be emphasized as the students study and explore the different decades of music, Barnett said.
"The children will have a fun and exciting musical time as they listen to music from the 1920s through the 1990s," she said. "Activities will be varied during the daily camp so that the students have a creative and enjoyable musical experience."
According to Barnett, programs like Music Discovery Camp help to "introduce children to music in a fun environment, strengthen their musical skills and expose them to music not heard every day."
Final performance of the musical will be at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9, in the Prep Performance Hall at the Music Prep House. Admission is free, and anyone is welcome to attend, Barnett said.
Camp director is Nicole Stewart, who is a graduate of SFA, director of the SFA Children's Chorus and Piney Woods Chorale, voice teacher in Music Prep, music teacher at McMichael Middle School and choir director for Perritte Memorial United Methodist Church. Last summer, Stewart directed "Disney Movie Magic" as Music Prep's Music Discovery Camp.
The tuition/cost is $100 for five days of fun-filled musical exploration. The camp is from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday, Aug. 5 through 9, at the Music Prep House, 3028 Raguet St. Registration forms are available at the Prep House and on the Prep website at www.music.sfasu.edu/prep.
Clothes appropriate for movement must be worn each day. Tennis shoes or shoes with backs must also be worn. A snack will be provided for the children involved. Parents may be asked to provide items for their child's costume.
"Children in the East Texas community are encouraged to attend and discover more about music," Barnett said.
For more information, contact Barnett at (936) 468-1291 or Stewart at (214) 236-6844.