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Saturday July 1, 2006
Camp was unbelievable! And I had such a great time. Some of the most memorable moments include the following:
The pizza party during the Leadership Weekend Experience was a blast! I had a great time eating and dancing like crazy with the students.
Timber Pointe left me speechless. I cannot describe the feeling as I inched my way off the platform to take that 40-foot plunge. It was so exhilarating!
The nightly concerts can only be summed up in one word - wow! The Yamaha Young Performing Artists were very inspirational and left the student audience with a feeling of empowerment. The Anjo Gakuen Wind Ensemble tore the house down with their fun, exciting, and memorable concert. It is so amazing how we are able to connect with students from across the world with music. Stefon Harris showed everyone a thing or two about what you can do on vibes, while Bowfire made a powerful statement with strings. The entire experience was just too cool!
I was also happy to see some familiar faces with INergy's arrival. I believe the campers enjoyed the down-to-earth quality of the group and how close in age the students were to the group. They were able to ask questions and jam with them making it a great experience.
I also learned a lot while at camp. Vincent Thomas, Color Guard Division Instructor, taught me the basics of a drop spin while the Drum Major students taught me the fundamentals of conducting.
This was also my first experience with DCI. What do you say about DCI that hasn't already been said? The dedication, passion, and love for the music in motion was unbelievable. I loved having the opportunity to work with the members before their show and see how friendly and genuine they were. But when they hit the field, all bets were off and they preformed with such drive, energy, and pride.
For all of these amazing experiences, I have many to thank. First, let me thank the unwavering dedication and love of Team SWAG. This was my first camp experience and they made me feel right at home. Thank you!
To my fellow BOA staffers, thank you, thank you! You all were so amazing and did such a great job. I had a blast and I was so lucky to have the chance to hang out with you all for these past two weeks.
And finally to the students...You all were so welcoming, kind, and fun! You made me feel right at home with each track and gave such wonderful interviews. Thank you for sharing your experience with me!
Bands of America truly is positively life-changing! And if you need any more proof, check out the video gallery to see some of tomorrow's leaders today.
For Bands of America, I'm Laura Donaldson...Signing Out.
Wednesday June 28, 2006
I spent the morning with the Jazz and World Percussion Symposium tracks. I was able to sit in on some of the jazz sessions and watch as the musicians worked with our amazing faculty to improve their improvisation and sight reading skills.
Then I hung out with the marching percussion track. The guys were so much fun and did a great job working with Matt Savage and Colin McNutt. The students really enjoyed the opportunity to work with McNutt and ask him questions about his experience with the Madison Scouts.
I sat in on the Jazz Band Faculty Jam. The students enjoyed seeing the faculty practice what they preach as they displayed their amazing ability to improvise and play together.
The day ended with an intense performance by Stefon Harris and BLACKOUT which was amazing! I was able to hang with the band on stage and then conduct an exclusive BOA interview just after the concert. Stefon was a very genuine and down-to-Earth performer. He shared educational tips about his warm-up routine and mentored students about his personal music career during high school. It was very inspirational for the students!
- Laura Donaldson
Special Feature - Senior SWAG - Cecilia Cicco
One of the best parts about the camp experience is Team SWAG. BOA took time to sit with one SWAG and learn about the experiences she brings to the BOA camp experience. Cecilia Cicco, Senior SWAG for the Director/CIA/DIA tracks, currently lives and teaches in Pittsburgh, PA where she serves as Music Director in the Deer Lakes School District. Cecilia is an active adjudicator in the Pennsylvania Federation of Contest Judges. She is also a member of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Educators Committee, as a District Secretary for PMEA and as the Director of Percussion for the Three Rivers Winter Ensemble Association. Cecilia enjoys working with all performing artists and has been a SWAG for six years. She can't imagine being anywhere else during the last week of June!
Cecilia is one of 82 SWAGs who serve as the front-line team of volunteers who support students throughout the camp experience. They consist of educators, collegiate students and music lovers who volunteer to take 11 days of their summer to make each camper's experience life-changing.
Tuesday June 27, 2006
Tuesday has been just as jam packed with fun and excitement as the last few days. I started my day by visiting with those participating in the NBA Mentor panel and observed as directors consulted with famed NBA conductors and composers. It was definitely a learning experience.
Next I spent time with Orchestra division students at the Time for Three Master Class and meet-and-greet session. Students enjoyed speaking with orchestral superstars about improvement techniques and what it's like to be a performer committed to your instrument in your professional career.
In the evening the entire camp enjoyed the Anjo Gakuen High School Wind Orchestra concert where we were stunned and amazed with the performance! The beginning of the concert showcased their amazing skills as individual musicians and as an ensemble, and the big surprise came at the end of the concert when the members of the Anjo Gakuen Wind Orchestra formed a large American flag with construction paper and changed costumes while doing an elaborate dance and song for the audience. The entire show was enthusiastic, energetic, and exciting.
Wednesday I'm going to hang with the percussion students and cover their beat! I can't wait to see Stefon Harris and BLACKOUT, too!
- Laura Donaldson
Monday June 26, 2006
Monday was full of excitement and setup in preparation for the nearly 1,700 students getting ready to enjoy one of the best camps in the country.
I spent the morning with the amazing SWAG team as they set up rooms for their various tracks. I applaud all of the SWAGS for their hard work and dedication. They're awesome.
After leaving the SWAGS I went to see INergy - Indy's Official Musical Ambassadors and special guest for Summer Symposium - rehearse with famed conductor Larry Livingston. After an hour with Mr. Livingston, INergy was a completely different band. They have grown so much and were excited to perform for the student leaders.
I then went to opening session where string trio "Time for Three" gave us an amazing performance and INergy got the crowd energized for the week. The best part about the concert and Time for Three was you never knew when they were finished playing. As soon as you would raise your hands to applaud their unbelievable playing skills, they would amaze you and continue playing something faster or more difficult. So much fun!
After the Time for Three concert I was able to hear the Young Composer and Young Conductor Concert. After hearing the music these students composed I was moved and stunned. There is so much talent here.
The day finished with the Yamaha Young Performing Artist Concert. I was left speechless after each performance. Unbelievable! The dedication, love, and passion these students have shown made me struggle to keep my jaw from hitting the ground. Simply amazing.
- Laura Donaldson
Sunday June 25, 2006
Day 2 of the Leadership Weekend Experience helped student leaders improve not only their leadership qualities but expand their teamwork skills through varies activities at the Timber Pointe Outdoor Center. Ask your students about the "Wallie Woosie" tree fall, the "Giant's Jump Rope" or the "Window of Opportunity" tire swings.
If that wasn't enough, 40-foot zip line drops added to the intensity of this blast of a day! I really enjoyed the high ropes course as well and the bridge was a test of my courage and trust in the SWAGS and Timber Pointe staff!
Gotta go, registration for tomorrow's full camp experience is just around the corner!
Until then,
Laura Donaldson
Saturday June 24, 2006
Hello everyone, I'm Laura Donaldson, Multimedia Intern and Summer Symposium Special Assignment Editor! I wanted to write and let you know what happens behind the scenes at the Bands of America Summer Symposium Experience!
Over 1,600 students, 200 directors, 200 clinicians and nearly 100 SWAG volunteers from over 30 states and several countries will gather at Illinois State University over the next eight days to enjoy this awesome adventure that begins with this weekend's Leadership Weekend Experience.
As you might imagine, making sure each person has a positively life-changing experience takes a little bit of genius, and a lot of manpower, which BOA manages on both accounts! In order to prepare for this phenomenal event, the BOA and OA team arrived on Wednesday, June 21 after spending eight hours packing the Indianapolis office and the entire BOA staff to head to ISU!
On Thursday, our 25 team members began unpacking the 2,000+ items and boxes that make this event possible. Each department started preparing for the crucial work of processing students for registration and making very last detail ready for their arrival.
Friday was punctuated by the arrival of the SWAG team - the frontline volunteer staff that serves as the driving force for personal student interaction and supervision.
I look forward to seeing you all and if you pass me walking around campus, please stop and say hello I'd love to meet you. Until then, stay tuned for more updates and videos of the 2006 Bands of America Summer Symposium Experience!
Signing Off - Laura Donaldson
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