Middle school band camp students rehearse under the baton of Terry Bacon on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018, in McKnight Hall. The middle school band camp students will perform at noon on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018. ABIGAIL DOLLINS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
As the 2018 Chautauqua season reaches the end of Week Eight, many students in the festival schools have left, and the programs are wrapping up. The Music School Festival Orchestra had its last concert Monday night in the Amphitheater, but musical performances given by young people haven’t stopped on the grounds.
Ninety-nine middle school and high school students at Chautauqua Music Camps are now occupying the music scene at Chautauqua.
Music Camps participants will give four performances Fri., Aug. 17: a string orchestra performance at morning worship at 9:15 a.m. in Amphitheater, performances at noon on Bestor Plaza (weather permitting), a jazz concert at 2 p.m. in Fletcher Music Hall and a chamber music concert at 3 p.m. in McKnight Hall.
Music Camps Director Peter Lindblom, a trumpet player in the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, said 2018 is the 20th season of the camps.
Terry Bacon, director of the middle school band camp, said there are a lot more opportunities this year for Chautauquans to “come in and see what these kids have done and put together in a week.”
According to Bacon, the camps started with just middle school band camp, but now also offer a string orchestra and high school jazz camp. This year, there is also a percussion ensemble camp.
The Music Camps has continued partnership with Chautauqua Institution, but this year it is a deepened one, said Suzanne Fassett, director of arts education.
Fassett said the Music Camps provide opportunities for Chautauquans to enjoy jazz, which the Institution doesn’t have many programs for, during the rest of the summer.
Fassett said she is happy that the Music Camps are happening on the grounds. Because of the camps, students in the local area and across the country are able to take advantage of the opportunities at Chautauqua.
“I’m thrilled that we can provide the opportunity for students to come to the grounds, to learn and have great artistic experiences here at Chautauqua Institution as part of this camp, but also from all the other things that we have to offer here at Chautauqua,” Fassett said.
The learning opportunities are not limited to activities happening within the Music Camps. The fact that many prestigious musicians come to the grounds benefits students who are at Chautauqua. On Tuesday, the music camp students went to observe a CSO rehearsal.
“What’s awesome is that we have the opportunity (of) being on the grounds to take advantage of the artists that are here, to take advantage of other activities that are going on,” Bacon said.
