MVYSO Camp Contests!

Last year we did our first ever Costume Contest, and it was so fun, we are doing it again!

We ask that the kids come dressed as their favorite cartoon character, whether it's Snow White or Bugs Bunny.

It can be exactly like the character, or a little different, for example:

       or

Costume Contest

Theme: Any animated cartoon or movie character, based or the music we are playing at camp, or not. Contest on Thursday, judging and awards at lunch.

Ages 6-8

Ages 9-12

Ages 13-18

For each age group there will be a Best in Age Group, Most Original, Most Authentic, and Most Creative.

Though you might want to think twice if you are considering a cape.....

There will also be the annual "Decorate Your Folder" contest. We will take pictures of all the folders and hand out prizes at lunch on Friday.

Folder Contest

Ages 6-8

Ages 9-12

Ages 13-18

For each categorie there is a Best in Age Group, Most Creative, Most Thematic, and Most Artistic.

We collect the folders to be judged before lunch of Thursday, take a picture of each one with the name of the artist, then judge then that day after camp, and award the prizes on Friday

I will be dressing up as random characters through camp as well, just to give you a little inspiration. ;)

So, I will see you at camp!

The Spice of Life

There is a lot to life besides classical music. Even as a music nerd, I know this. There are movies, books, sports, parks, and just being around people in a million different ways. But classical music is persuasive, pervasive, and seeps its way into every other part of our lives, whether we notice it or not. The MVYSO concert on Friday is celebrating this, celebrating how classical music has become a part of every facet of our lives.There are more pieces being performed this Friday them I have room to talk about, so if you can, come and check out the concert!
As mentioned briefly in the Bugs Bunny blog, classical music is often used because it's free to use. That would explain why so many movies, commercials, and sporting events use classical music. The don't need to pay for it, and can use it without hassle. In this, I think that human greed has done us all a favor, because it has ensured that classical music is liberally sprinkled through our culture. I guess the flip-side is that the classic music that is used is often not taken as seriously BECAUSE it was used in a commercial or cartoon. But it my opinion, it's a price worth paying,  if it helps people to know great music.
I've grabbed a couple examples of music that will be performed at Friday's concert, and put them below.
Charo is a Latin singer and guitar player from the 1970's, well known for her outrageous costumes and antics. Here is Charo's take on Espana Cani, a Spanish song traditional played during bullfights, and also during baseball games. The theme to Espana Cani begins at the 1:20 mark.

Charo doesn't like Bullfights, and encourages us to dance with them instead. :)

Here is an example of the "Beef, it's what's for dinner," commercial which uses the Rodeo by Aaron Copeland, just one of many classical peices to be used in commercials.

Can you imagine a different piece of music beinging used for this commercial? Or even (shudder) a jingle?!?  

Life is better because of the additions of classical music. Commercials are more memerable, movies more dramatic, ball games more traditional, and videos funnier, all because of classical music.

So even though there is more to life than classical music, classical music also adds more to life! So shake it up, add a little classical spice, simmer, and enjoy!

April Musician of the Month: Jackie Hickman

On the last day of April, I want to honor the piano soloist in this Friday's concert, Jackie Hickman. Each Month I will honor a standout musician, and this month it is Jackie, for her work on the Grieg Piano Concerto with the MVYSO.  Jackie is a Junior at Tahoma High School, and has been been playing piano for 11 years. Her piano teacher is Sydney Lee.

Jackie practicing.

The Grieg Piano concerto in A minor is a famous and recognizable concerto, and is being performed this Friday as part of the Spice of Life concert.

Jackie, right, and Haley Kovach, left.

Jackie is usually the principle cellist for the Maple Valley Youth Symphony, but this Friday we get the opportunity to hear her talents on piano as well.

Jackie accompanying her younger sister, Marcy Hickman.

The piano concerto was composed by Edvard Grieg in 1868, when he was only 24. It is the only concerto that Grieg completed, as well as one of his best known works.

It begins with a timpani roll, and a huge piano flourish that is instantly recognizable.
Even animals can't help but sing along with the opening!

If you're in town, be sure to check out the concert at 7pm at the Maple Valley Presbyterian Church. If not, then let me know what your favorite piano concerto is. I'm pretty partial to the Tchaikovsky - Piano Concerto No.1 Op.23 in B Flat Minor myself.
 Tomorrow I'll upload my own interpretation of the concert title, The Spice of Life! Happy May!