Sounds like summer for music campers

Attendees from all over the county will showcase their talent at a free concert tonight.

By EMILY VASQUEZ
Published June 10, 2005

Students at Pasco county's schools are used to competing, be it on the football field or the basketball court. But this week, nearly 100 students from across the county are trading rivalries for harmonies at the Symphonic Band Camp in New Port Richey.

The camp, founded last year by a group of local band directors, culminates in a free concert for the community at 7 tonight at River Ridge High School where the camp is hosted.

While many area students sleep in on these summer days, symphonic band campers arrive at the school in time for an 8 a.m. rehearsal. By 8:30 they're shuffling through sheet music and tapping their feet in rhythm. Many continue work until 6 p.m.

"Because of the type of students we have here, they work intensely," executive director Jonathan McKeown said. "They're motivated, ambitious."

In addition to rehearsals in preparation for tonight's concert, participants have the opportunity over the weeklong camp to take electives that focus on music theory, conducting, even leadership. There also are sectional rehearsals where each instrument group is offered a specialized workshop.

The camp's faculty includes musicians who Pasco students aren't able to work with during the school year, including directors from Tampa and Orlando.

"We all have different techniques, different approaches," he said. "It's refreshing."

Putting down his trumpet for a quick break after his morning rehearsal, 18-year-old camper Chris Scire, who just graduated from Ridgewood, said the quality of the faculty equals that of what he would find at more expensive camps outside the county, like those held at area universities.

Those camps' tuitions can run over $300 plus the cost of room and board, while the Pasco band camp costs $100 for the week.

McKeown said more expensive camps aren't realistic options for many kids. This camp fills the gap, he said.

The camp also allows young musicians to build relationships with others who share their passion.

"People here, they want to be here," Scire said. "It's great to come together and just play."

Another of the camp's objectives is to ensure that campers will share their skills with others when they return to their schools in the fall.

"We train students to be quality leaders so that when they go back they're able to inspire," McKeown said.

But for many of the campers, a new school year is far from their minds. They're concentrating on tonight's concert.

"The piece is pretty good," said 17-year-old Samantha Ladd, also a Ridgewood graduate this year, who has been playing the clarinet for seven years. "But I'm always nervous before a concert."

The middle school and high school ensembles, jazz ensemble, and even a percussion group are scheduled to present programs rich with variety, from high energy big band tunes and swing to classical literature.

McKeown said the night will feature bold and innovative scores more advanced than those typically tackled by area school bands.

"It's an opportunity to see the community in action," he said. "It shows the talent level that Pasco county has."

"It's something different to do on a Friday night."

--Emily Vasquez can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6232, or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6232. Her e-mail address is evasquez@sptimes.com

[Last modified June 10, 2005, 01:12:14]