May 2, 2008

Kiwanis Club to offer August music camp

Among the camps that will be offered this summer is the fifth annual Summer Music Camp sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Cambrian Park.

The popular two-week camp for upcoming musicians entering the third through ninth grades this year will be held from July 28 through Aug. 8 at Leigh High School, 5210 Leigh Ave. There will be a morning session from 9 a.m. to noon and an extended session—until 2 p.m. for students going into the seventh through ninth grades.

Classes are divided into age groups and are dependent on enrollment. Students entering third grade with no prior experience can take beginning guitar, beginning recorder or beginning choir. Fourth graders and up, with no prior experience, are offered beginning band, advanced recorder, marching band, beginning choir, intermediate/advanced choir and beginning guitar.

Students entering the fifth grade with six months to two years of band experience can attend classes in intermediate or advanced band, marching band, beginning choir, intermediate/advance choir, beginning guitar, beginning or intermediate jazz band, percussion ensemble or for intermediate and advanced students only a folk/blues/rock guitar (electric guitars allowed in blues and rock classes only).

Classes for students entering seventh through ninth grades with two years of band experience are offered morning sessions in advanced and marching bands, beginning and intermediate jazz band, intermediate and advanced choir, second instrument instruction, beginning guitar, percussion ensemble and for intermediate and advanced students only a folk/blues/rock guitar (electric guitars allowed in blues and rock classes only).

The extended session includes instrumental composition, a vocal master class, song writing for those with experience in voice, piano or guitar, instrumental master class and a vocal Broadway/show tunes class.

The camp features local musicians and music teachers including Kristen Engineer from Carlton Elementary School, Roberta Howe from Noddin and Carlton Elementary Schools, Union Middle School band director Chris Kay, Eric Bolvin from Alta Vista Elementary School and Music Village and Neil Hogan from Joplin & Sweeney Guitar Studio.

On the last day of the two-week session there will be a concert and student achievement ceremony.

Prices for the camp range from $300 for early registration for morning sessions for those whose enrollment is postmarked by Friday, May 10. Fees are $325 for those registering after May 10. Morning plus extended session ranges from $400 for early registration to $425 for those registering after May 10. Fees must be postmarked by Friday, June 20 to register. Scholarships are available.

If the camp or extended session is cancelled, registrants will receive a full refund for the classes that won’t be held.

Applications and additional information can be found at the Cambrian Park Kiwanis Club Web site, www.cambrianparkkiwanis.org or by contacting Engineer at 780 Widget Drive, San Jose 95117 or by e-mail at kristenengineer@yahoo.com.