I was reminded this morning why piano camp week is one of my favorite weeks of the summer! So. Much. Fun. to have these eager young students here in the studio learning about music together. Initially Piano Expeditions was created as a preschool age piano camp curriculum, but now that we’re in our fourth year, all of the ones who were part of the initial camp group have continued to return every summer, so the age range this week spans 4-year olds through 12-year olds! Here are a few photo highlights from our first day of To Italy with Vivaldi and His Four Seasons:
A new perk this year – thanks to Rush Order Tees, I have several Piano Expeditions items that I’m giving away in a Swag Drawing. Each day that the students attend piano camp they get to enter their name in a drawing for one of these cool branded items. It’s totally up to them if they want to enter their name in the cup for the same item each day, or spread it around to different items. I’m curious to see what they opt to do!
Our Welcome to Piano Camp song serves so many important functions – focuses everyone’s attention and marks the beginning of our piano camp activities, helps everyone learn each other’s names, establishes a steady beat, gives students an opportunity for improvisation and expression, and warms up our vocal chords.
We’re listening to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons this week (of course!) while coloring pages representing each season. It always amazes me how much the students love this time. Even one of the older boys who said he wasn’t feeling well and left the studio came rushing back in to listen and color when he saw that’s what we were doing.
Almost every student raised their hand, indicating that they wanted to be chosen to improvise at the piano with Stephanie. They incorporated what we were learning today and tried to make it sound like spring (just like Vivaldi!).
For our story time this year, I came across this delightful book by David Miles – Allegro: A Magical Journey Through 11 Musical Masterpieces. My fabulous student assistant, Stephanie, read it to a captivated audience!
Thankfully the rain had subsided by the time we were ready for games. I can adapt most of them for indoors play, but it sure is nice for the students to get outside and run off some energy at the end of our piano camp time. We finished up the time with snacks and are looking forward to another fun day tomorrow!
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