DMC Music Department Announces Virtual and In-person Summer Camps for Middle- through High School-age Students
Article by: Rosa Linda Reynoso
If your musically-inclined tween or teen needs something to do this summer, Del Mar College has three unique opportunities to keep them busy. The DMC Music Department has scheduled Viking Summer Music Camps, both virtual and in-person, focused on guitar, choir and all instrumental music for middle through high school students living in the Coastal Bend.
Due to the nature of these camps, organizers are offering a variety of activities that will benefit students of all experience levels––including beginner, intermediate and advanced––with instrumental music instruction provided by some of the music professions’ finest educators and performers.
In compliance with Texas Gov. Abbott’s executive order, the College no longer requires but encourages wearing masks or other face coverings, along with following other DMC safety protocols such as social distancing and hand washing, during in-person participation of these camps. The College is currently in Phase III of the Return-to-Campus Plan.
Sign up your musically-inclined youth for one or even all of the following:
• Tuesday-Thursday, June 15-17: Viking Classical Guitar Summer Camp with three days of guitar fun and playing for those with the ability to read music and familiarity with basic classical guitar techniques. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, this year’s camp is limited to 24 participants. During the morning sessions, participants will learn how to develop speed and accuracy with technique building and sight-reading. Professor Philip Hii will also share an updated cheat sheet of guitar tricks and techniques to play better. Afternoons sessions include playing with friends in small and large ensembles and developing strategies to improve sight reading as well as prepare for UIL competition. Students will play on a classical nylon string guitar and participate in informal “open-mike” performances for family and friends! The final day features a grand finale with a concert showcasing camp ensembles and the Viking Classical Guitar Camp Orchestra. Registration fee is $65 ($35 for incoming DMC Music majors) and includes a camp tee shirt and lunch each day. For more information, call Yvonne Rodriguez at 698-1211 or email music@delmar.edu.
• Monday-Thursday, June 21-24 (Small Schools) and June 28-July 1 (Large Schools): Virtual All-State Choir Camp 2021 for students entering 9th through 12th grades. Participants can choose from “virtual” or in-person instruction from outstanding experienced music educators. Students will prepare to perform Texas Music Educators Association audition music and can expect sectional and full choral rehearsals, beginning and advance sight-reading sessions and specific instruction on diction and vocal pedagogy techniques. Those who choose the virtual choir camp experience should order their own music packets through an online Texas music retailer of their choice. Registration for Small and Large Schools is $115 for each student. A Small School concert is scheduled at 5 p.m. in Wolfe Recital Hall and a Large School concert is scheduled at 5 p.m. in Richardson Performance Hall. Both concerts will be livestreamed. Visit www.delmar.edu/offices/music/choir-camp.html to register. Inquiries can be directed to camp director Dr. Greg Graf at ggraf2@delmar.edu or 698-1352 or 573-915-2109.
• Monday-Thursday, July 12-15: Viking Virtual Summer Music Camp for students of all age levels from 7th grade to adult. Due to the nature of the virtual experience, the Del Mar College Viking Virtual Summer Music Camp is offering beginner, intermediate and advanced instrumental music instruction with some of the finest music educators and performers. Additionally, some amazing percussion clinics will be hosted by world-renowned percussionists Lalo and Julie Davila. These experiences include classes ranging from percussion techniques to marching drum line. Students will also have the opportunity of a lifetime to learn from distinguished composer and conductor, Justin Freer, who will offer insights covering numerous topics regarding real-world career opportunities in the music industry. Lastly, this year’s camp also features James Miculka, Fine Arts Director for the Northside Independent School District in San Antonio. This part of the camp was created for all professional music educators for engaging, productive discussions about the effects the global pandemic has had on instrumental music programs. Miculka will present ideas covering how to rebuild culture in music programs and share his insights about the future of Fine Arts. For the camp schedule and registration, visit https://delmar.edu/offices/music/band-camp.html. For more information, call Yvonne Rodriguez at 698-1211 or email music@delmar.edu.
Detailed information about the DMC Music Department’s world-class music camps is available at www.delmar.edu/offices/music/index.html.
Del Mar College empowers students to achieve their dreams. We offer quality programs, individual attention, outstanding instruction through faculty with real-world experience and affordable costs to credit and noncredit students in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Coastal Bend area. Nationally recognized while locally focused, we’re ranked in the top two percent of community colleges in the country granting associate degrees to Hispanic students (Community College Week). Del Mar College focuses on offering our students programs that match current or emerging career opportunities. Whether students are interested in the fine arts, sciences, business, occupational or technical areas, students get the education they need for the future they want at Del Mar College.