July 21-25, 2014, 10am-12pm
The Brattleboro Music Center’s Camp Presto is the perfect week long adventure for children who are interested in music, but not sure whether to commit to learning an instrument.
While learning the basics of playing the violin, campers will work together to complete a musical story book. Each child will tell a story through a simple violin composition, incorporating the very basics of note reading and rhythm, while simultaneously learning alternatives to musical notation.
Students will learn to perform their musical ideas, culminating in a final class CD that they can take home to share with their family & friends!
In the process, students will learn about other composers and the stories they have told through music. Each child will be free to design their composition with poetry and art, learning to appreciate the music they hear as the composers and performers they have become!
Camp Presto is led by Heather Sommerlad. Heather is member of the BMC Music School faculty, where she teaches individual violin lessons, leads the “Tigers String Ensemble” for our youngest players, teaches group lessons through the Music-in-the-Schools program, and directs the Prima Orchestra.
Heather was born and raised in El Paso, TX, where music became the foundation for her continuing studies at Bennington College. At 16, she began playing with the El Paso Symphony under the direction of Gurer Aykal, an opportunity which prompted the beginning of her professional career. During her time at Bennington, Heather worked closely with emerging composers, performing a countless number of new works. As first violinist of the Bennington College String Quartet, she traveled with the group to perform and teach in Kingston, Jamaica, and the Czech Republic. Today, Heather continues to promote new music as a regular performer for Brooklyn Emerging Artists, as well as the experimental folk band, Horse’s Mouth. She has recently returned to the southern Vermont area having spent the past several years teaching both group and private violin classes in New York City. Heather is dedicated to nurturing passion, dedication, and enthusiasm in all her students to maintain a healthy balance of technical proficiency and musical integrity.
Camp Presto will be held at the Brattleboro Music Center, July 21-25, 2014, 10am-12pm. Tuition is $150, financial aid is available.
To register for Camp Presto, or see a full listing of summer music programs for all ages, visit www.bmcvt.org or call the Brattleboro Music Center at 802-257-4523.
