HEAT WAVE + ROCK CAMP = MVM’S FIRST SUMMER ROCK CAMP!
What do a heat wave, a song about a nine year olds favorite things, and a group of 13 people on different instruments all simultaneously rocking out together in two different rooms have in common? The answer is My Voice Music’s first ever Summer Rock Camp.
Last week 10 student campers, along with five MVM Student Volunteers, three adult volunteers, and three music teachers spent the week together at Sound Roots School of Music in North Portland. The goal of the week: Have fun, develop positive relationships, and experience different facets of the music experience, including learning to play instruments, sound recording and live performance.
Though there were challenges, the goals of the camp were not only met, but also surpassed. Bright eyed and ready to learn, each student walked into Sound Roots seemingly not sure what to expect. Monday morning at 9 am everyone gathered together and began Sing-a-long. Led by Jameson, the students were handed tambourines, bongos, and other percussion instruments as everyone joined together in order to sing classic songs.
By the end of the first day each student was able to rotate through different instrument stations. Students spent time learning new chords on the electric guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, and also got to spend some time learning how to rock a drum set. The students proved to be a talented bunch, and from day one it was clear the first ever My Voice Music Rock Camp was filled with eager students who all had huge potential to rock!
Day two the students were placed in their very own Rock Bands. These bands consisted of student campers as well as MVM Student Volunteers. Students were given an instrument, and with facilitation began creating a song from scratch. Students played an integral role in lyric writing, learning their individual part of the song, and learning their instrument enough to be able to perform it in front of family and friends at Mississippi Pizza the last day of camp.
The next two days were spent developing and practicing the Rock Band song, as well as preparing for the final performance. The heat wave proved to be a challenge, as MVM Students, Volunteers, and teachers melted away in the Rock Band rooms, trying to perfect not only the song, but also continue developing the relationships that were being established.
During these two days, campers and student volunteers showed how absolutely patient, willing, and committed they were to being a part of the My Voice Music experience. The MVM Student Volunteers displayed many attributes of what great leadership is. Christian, a MVM Student Volunteer got his fingernails painted by some of the girl campers stating, “this is what it looks like when
I give my one hundred and fifty percent.” Not only did Christian give his one hundred and fifty percent, but each MVM Student Volunteer went above and beyond, investing over forty hours, as well as being positive mentors to the campers all week! Without them the My Voice Music Rock Camp not only wouldn’t have been the same, it wouldn’t have been able to happen.
Then came Friday. Friday was the last day of camp as well as the campers time to shine as it was the day they were all going to perform their new rock song in front of their family and friends! Each camper put hours of practice into their song, and this was the day their hard work would pay off.
Performing in front of strangers is very challenging. Performing a song that you learned just a few days earlier in the week in front of your family, peers, mentors and teachers is exceedingly nerve racking and difficult. For most of the campers, this was their first performance on a stage in front of an audience. Each and every camper stepped up to the plate on Friday, and performed their song flawlessly! Not only did the campers shine, the MVM Student Volunteers also excelled as they assisted the campers’ Rock Bands, and performed some of their own songs.
It was incredible to see participation and dedication from every individual at My Voice Music’s first ever Rock Camp! Every day the students showed up enthusiastic to jam out, and become more competent on their instrument of choice. Not only were the campers amazing, but every single MVM Student Volunteer gave their one hundred percent each and every day. Whether it was sweltering hot in those little rooms or not, the campers, MVM Student Volunteers, and staff showed discipline, a positive attitude, and willingness to overcome any challenge thrown at them during the week.
Positive relationships were developed, epic songs were created, challenges were overcome, and people learned not only about others, but also about themselves. The goals going into the very first MVM Rock Camp were achieved, and all in all, everyone simply had a good time. Each and every day relationships were deepened, and music was created. This made each day unique, fun, and amazing! Some lyrics from one of the campers’ Rock Band, “The Glowers”, states it best:
Music is like a story,
It helps us along the way.
If we were without it,
We wouldn’t last a day.
Music is just the start,
We all start out alone.
And when we play our music,
It makes us feel at home.
Listent to some of the songs written by the campers below: