Summer music, lights and dancing: Academy’s camps in full swing
Pam Clifton, Contributing Writer
These participants took part in Mineral Area Fine Arts Academy’s 2022 Big Band Camp.
Kids will be treading the stage boards and striking up the band this summer. The next two weeks are all about camp sessions with Mineral Area Fine Arts Academy (MAFAA).
Show Choir Camp
Singing, dancing, costumes, lights, special effects. Those are some of the things that highlight Mineral Area Fine Arts Academy’s Show Choir Camp.
The camp for eighth graders to college students takes place Monday through next Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. This year’s camp theme is “The Greatest Showman” and promises to include high-energy dancing, singing, costumes, lights and special effects to make Show Choir Camp come alive in true show-choir style. There are also possibilities for several solos. The cost for this camp is $95.
The Junior Show Choir Camp, for third to seventh graders, runs from 4 to 6 p.m. next Monday through Thursday, and Friday from 1-3 p.m. Junior campers will learn fun songs with singing and movement inspired by the music of “The Greatest Showman.” The cost for this camp is $40.
Sherry Francis is director of both show choir camps. She said the high school and college students attend from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day and learn vocals in the morning, break for lunch, and then dance in the afternoon. Wednesday is the day the students begin putting everything together on stage so they’re ready for their showcase performance on Friday.
Sherry Francis
Younger campers attend two hours each day to learn songs and dances. They take part in a two-hour combined rehearsal with the older singers for a “magical and exhilarating opening, grand finale and curtain call.”
“I’m so excited for the music from the ‘Greatest Showman’ because it’s so upbeat and inspiring,” she said. “We have many surprises with this show you don’t want to miss!”
The 7 p.m. Friday performance is a free event open to the community and features the camp songs and dances in full action.
Francis said she always looks forward to the show choir camp because of how the music brings people together in a special way.
“We have many returning campers who come because now they feel like a family,” she said.
Band Camp
Students who have completed one or two years of instruction might consider taking part in MAFAA’s Middle School Band Camp, which runs from Aug. 7-11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The cost for this camp is $95.
This band camp is for students who have completed one or two years of instruction and includes small- and full-band rehearsals, master and music theory classes, team building, and more. Students will be paired with peers of the same ability and experience to allow them to grow and gain confidence in playing their instrument.
The middle school band will be directed by Linda Huck and assisted by several area band directors.
“This is a great way for students to get back into the swing of things before the school year begins,” said MAFAA Executive Director Amanda Dement. “Students will be able to meet other students, gain motivation and inspiration, and have fun!”
The particulars
All MAFAA summer camp participants receive a free t-shirt.
All campers need to have a parent or guardian check them in on the first day of camp. They also need a water bottle each day.
A camp showcase takes place on the last day of each camp in the Mineral Area College Fine Arts Theater. Details will be given on the first day of each camp.
Dement added that the summer camps are a great way to provide a sample of what MAFAA is all about: great experiences, inspiring connections and instruction that is tailored to the needs of each student.
“We have an exciting, talented and very passionate group of teachers for every camp who is looking forward to providing a memorable educational experience and inspiring young people to find new things to love or refine the talents they are already growing in,” she said.
MAFAA Summer Camps 2023 registration and information is available online at MAFineArts.org.
