First off, the brass camp. Camp this year was fantastic, probably the best yet. We had 32 students this year! The most we've had in the past was 19. I think the word is starting to spread about this camp. I admit that with 32 kids attending I was a little worried about keeping control of them all. And though they were a chatty bunch when they were all together and I had to quiet them down often, they were a very nice, respectful and fun group of kids.
We had quite a big turnout from the Anacortes School District this time around, so I think the band teacher there really talked it up well this year. Ever since I played a concert with the Anacortes HS bands several years ago, I have always wanted to get to know the kids there. They have a really great thing going in Anacortes. It's like a family there, just like it is for me and my studio. I think that it what helped them fit in so well. And because of the camp, I've started teaching lessons to several students from Anacortes.
The music was pretty great this year, too...but not every piece was a good one. I made the mistake if having the application submission deadline just 2 weeks before the start of the camp, so I didn't give myself a chance to make some thoughtful decisions on music for some of the small groups. There were several pieces I picked for them that I hadn't heard before, and unfortunately, they weren't super great pieces.
It's okay, though. The music for most of the small groups, as well as all the larger groups, was really great and really well-liked. I had a blast doing music from Pirates of the Caribbean and the last movement of The Pines of Rome with the mass ensemble, as well as the opening to Also Sprach Zarathustra. I also did Mars with the older kids, which was very exciting because so many of them hav wanted to do this piece for years. You can hear all 4 of these performances here: