2010 Camp Wrap Up

Hello from the Viola Camp Office! While I'm certain you visualize that as being a well organized space somewhere, it's mostly at my desk in the music room, with a lot of Post-it notes.

I hope everyone enjoyed yesterday's concert at the Cathedral of the Rockies. I was very proud of all of the small ensembles. For many students, this was their first experience working in a small chamber music setting. We accomplished a lot in six short days, and I am grateful for the time and experience of working with such an accomplished and hardworking group of students.

Music is often a conduit for greater things. While most students who study viola do not go on to have a career in music, the lessons they learn through study are invaluable. Learning patience, delayed gratification, striving for the betterment of a group through personal effort and responsibility, communicating without words, working in a small group with a variety of communication and personality styles, these are all life skills applicable to a myriad of situations.

I'm always impressed at the deep friendships formed at camp year after year. Sometimes, campers only see each other once a year, and they pick up right where they left off. Other times, the friendships formed at camp can help ease a transition time, as many campers find themselves off to junior high or high school. Seeing a friendly, older face in a new environment can really make things less stressful. Even our campers that live in other states keep in touch with each other, through Facebook, e mail and more. I've seen campers help their new found camp friends through difficult situations, as well as celebrate triumphs together. Viola Camp is truly a family.

Thank you so much for you support of Idaho Viola Camp. Next year is the 5th year of camp, which will bring many exciting developments. Stay tuned for more!

Viola Camp 2011 is set for August 8-14-a full 7 days of camp, with our final concert in McCall as a special celebration.

Jen Drake
Director, Idaho Viola Camp
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Thursday

This morning, viola campers experienced the traditional canoe adventure, complete with ambushes, canoe tipping and paddle stealing. Luckily, this year no possessions were lost to the bottom of Payette Lake, and everyone emerged soaked but happy.

We are spending this afternoon rehearsing a final time before the concert at the Ponderosa Park Amphitheater at 6:00 tonight. The concert tomorrow will be at 1:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Rockies in Boise (717 North 11th Street).

Following the concert this evening, we will be heading back to the campsite for dinner before heading to Ice Cream Alley! After that, we will sign each others' t-shirts that we decorated yesterday. The t-shirts will be debuted at the concert tomorrow afternoon along with Jen's impressively drawn alto clef hats (pictured below).

T-shirt making and canoe pictures:

Wednesday and Thursday

Wednesday was an incredibly busy day! After a full day of viola action (including trips to several thrift stores to pick up props for the final concert!), we walked to Toll Station Pizza and ate our fill of scrumptious pizza. From there, we headed to Zim's Hot Springs. Games of "Hey, Cow!" (a game in which you scream "Hey, Cow!" out of the open window of a car, and if the cow looks at you, you receive a point) provided much entertainment on the car ride to the hot springs. The game was so successful that another rule was added: if the cow runs away from you, you get two points! At the hot springs, we played water basketball and relaxed in the warm water.

Thursday's highlights have so far included a morning run and performances by each ensemble. Things are really starting to come together, and we are excited for our concert tomorrow in the Ponderosa Amphitheater! This afternoon, we are planning to spend most of our time playing together as a large group before heading back to the campsite for an eclectic, yet sure to be delicious dinner of quesadillas and chicken nuggets.

Here are some pictures from Toll Station:

Tuesday

Greetings! Here are some pictures from the past two days...

Camp started off well this morning with an optional run, which many campers participated in. We then headed to the church for a morning of viola playing, both in large and small ensembles. Two campers celebrated their birthdays today, so we got to sing happy birthday...twice! Everyone got a break to walk around downtown McCall for lunch, and then viola-ed a little more before heading back to the campsite for an afternoon at the beach! Many campers braved the icy waters for a swim, while others stayed on shore for lovely games of frisbee and giant checkers.

After some more viola and delicious baked potatoes, campers went on a hike, where they indulged in a spectacular view of the lake. After that, s'mores and off to bed!

Monday

Hello!

Everyone arrived safe and sound at Viola Camp at about 1:00 this afternoon. We set up camp for the week and then piled into cars to begin viola-ing at the church!

After a rousing game of Get To Know Your Fellow Viola Campers (musical chairs style), we sightread some large ensemble pieces and then split into small ensembles, followed by individual practice time.

On tap for tonight is the traditional Ponderosa State Park hike, where we will do our best to avoid the mosquitoes! Viola campers are looking forward to the first full day of viola excitement tomorrow!

Viola Camp 2010

Hello from the Idaho Viola Camp Headquarters!

Final preparations are underway for a fantastic Viola Camp 2010. The Volkswagen (Base Camp!) is clean, music folders are organized, ensemble assignments are ready to go. Campers and parents have kept me busy today with last-minute questions.

Monday will be a busy day for campers. We arrive at camp around 1:00, set up our tents, eat lunch and then head to the church to begin the fun of creating great music together. Then it's back to camp for dinner and a hike to the the "Scenic Overlook" in Ponderosa State Park. A fire and general hanging out at the campsite will conclude our day.

Our camp intern Madeleine will be updating the blog each day as well as creating an online photo album. The album website will be posted sometime Tuesday.

Thank you for your support of Idaho Viola Camp!