Stringing along the music; First orchestra camp held at I.J. Holton
Published 10:52 am Friday, August 28, 2015
Ajulo Awow (right), and Gabriel Bruender practice their cellos during orchestra camp at I.J. Holton Intermediate School Thursday. — Photos by JenaeHackensmith/jenae.hackensmith@austindailyherald.com
Emily Hjelmen, 10, chose to play the violin because her mother played it, and this week she’s gotten a headstart learning the instrument.
“I’m in orchestra because my mom was in it, and I thought that it would be something good to do something new,” Emily said.
An incoming fifth-grade student, Emily was one of about 65 students at the first-ever Austin Public Schools orchestra camp, which took place Monday through Thursday at I.J. Holton Intermediate School.
The camp is for incoming fifth-graders enrolled in orchestra this school year. Private teacher Emily Blain, one of several teachers for the camp, said the students are already more than a month ahead of where they would usually be when starting at the beginning of school.
“The kids are doing really great,” she said. “They’re having lots of fun, making lots of progress.”
Sue Radloff directs the orchestra students during the first ever orchestra camp at I.J. Holton Intermediate School. Radloff was one of several teachers during the week.
Teachers included Blain, Sue Radloff, I.J. Holton orchestra director Brenda Radloff, and Austin High School orchestra director Gene Schott.
Emily said she and her classmates are already learning a lot.
“I have learned what they would teach you in the first four weeks of orchestra, how to hold it, first notes and the bowing part,” she said.
She recommended other students try orchestra because “it’d be great and would be a new experience.”
The students performed a show at 2:30 p.m. Thursday for parents and family, and Blain said the students were excited and ready to go.
“To show off what we’re doing and say, ‘Hey look, even though we’ve only been playing for four days, we can actually play music,’” she said.
The teachers hoped the students would establish basic technique, as well as learn to read music. Another big part of the camp was for the students to know one another, and Blain said it’s always nice to get a head start on forming a sense of community.
Brenda also wanted to thank MacPhail Center for Music, the Music Boosters of Austin and Austin Public Schools, who helped make the camp possible for the students.
“They’re the reason that we’re able to have our students for four days to give them this head start, so we’re pretty excited with what they’re going to do in the Austin community,” she said.
Last week, I.J. Holton’s band program held a similar camp for incoming students.
