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!

Out Of This World

Is that a bird? 

A plane?

Nooo.. that's a faun with an umbrella.....

Which means it's time for...MAPLE VALLEY MUSIC CAMP!

Camp begins August 13th, and its going to be pretty awesome, if I do say so myself. (smug)

SMUG FACE.

We will be playing music from famous science fiction movies. 

Chronicles of Narnia

Star Wars

Get ready to enter a new world of adventure! The large group pieces will be selected from 

                       and

Smaller ensembles will work on pieces chosen by the coaches...so you could be playing almost anything!

Every day lunch will be served for $5, or you can steal...er ....bring your own.

In the mornings there will be large group rehearsals, followed by sectionals, when you get to work on your specfic instrument, lunch, games and or/ time for hanging out, special guest performances, and one more large group rehearsal.

Tuesday and Wednesday there will be boomwackers to play during lunch.

Thursday is the day to dress like an out of this world character (alien - lion, princess, faun, Jaba the Hut, whatever you think is Out of this world.)

At the end of the week is a large concert featuring all of the campers and the music they have worked on all week.

It's going to be pretty EPIC.....I mean...OUT OF THIS WORLD!

.....and I promise to dress in weird costumes of some sort every day. Prizes will be awarded for people who can guess what character I am.

For more details click here

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!