By KIM THOMPSON
FOR BANDEMONIUM MUSIC SOCIETY
There’s a new summer camp option for young musicians eager to brush off their instruments and get back into practice before school starts.
Ben McConchie, music educator, jazz trumpeter and veteran Pender music camp instructor, teams up this summer with the Bandemonium Music Society to present a new Summer Band Camp for students aged 12 and up.
“It’s not easy to start a brand new camp from scratch, but a generous grant from the Salt Spring Island Foundation has made this possible,” said Bandemonium president John Moore. “We are very grateful for the strong community support for music on Salt Spring. And we’ve definitely found the perfect instructor in Ben!”
McConchie is well known in the Gulf Islands for establishing music programs on Galiano, Mayne, Saturna and Pender islands, where he has worked as a school music teacher for over five years. For the past two years he has also conducted the Bandemonium Concert Band, Salt Spring’s community band for adults and youth.
According to McConchie, Salt Spring Summer Band Camp is for “students who are looking to have fun and make music with friends, while also gaining important musical skills like reading music, understanding rhythms, improving their playing and ear training. Through music games, small ensembles and group rehearsals, camp-goers will be exposed to a variety of music experiences in a relaxed, fun and inclusive learning environment.”
The five-day camp will be held Aug. 26 to 30 in the music room at SIMS. Students can sign up for Concert Band (mornings, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) or Jazz Band (afternoons, 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.), or they can choose the full-day option and take part in both bands. Concert Band will focus on music notation reading skills and developing better technique on their chosen instrument. Jazz Band will provide an introduction to jazz music and improvisation. McConchie emphasizes that students do not need any previous experience with jazz to participate in the Jazz Camp.
“I am into teaching anyone who is keen and interested,” he said.
Salt Spring Summer Band Camp is designed to complement the school band program, and as it occurs at the end of August, students will emerge energized and ready for the school band start-up in September.
For more information and to register, contact Kim at kim.saltspring@gmail.com.