By Peter E. Leggett, Walker West Music Academy

After moving into the new Walker West facility at 760 Selby in June 2014, one of the most anticipated programs for Walker West faculty and staff was the 2014 Summer Music Enrichment Program.

The Summer Music Enrichment Program is the Academy’s annual summer day camp. The program provides 30 students between the ages of 5 and 12 with the opportunity to experience instrumental and vocal music for the very first time. Students engage in daily group lessons in a band instrument, African drums, violin, piano and then end each day by singing in a group choir. Faculty work with students without the use of written music, in favor of having them learn songs they already know. This allows students the opportunity to put more attention on the physical and auditory coordination required by each of the instruments. At Walker West, we’ve found that this approach makes for a greater impact over the course of the program and gets students excited about playing music. It is always incredible to see how quickly students can pick-up the nuances of holding and playing a violin, or the rhythm accuracy to beat out a rhythm in unison with their peers.

The program is the Academy’s single greatest production. It engages four faculty, six assistants, and three lead staff over the course of the three week program. Year and year, parents indicate that this program is one of the most engaging that their students have ever been in. Many students go onto take up individual lessons on one of the instruments they learned at the camp. Some even stay with Walker West all the way through high school as the direct result of the camp.

The program culminates in a final performance for families and friends. This year was particularly special, as we held our inaugural camp final performance in the Academy’s new 760 performance hall. More than 70 people gathered to hear these talented young performers and they were met with a standing ovation at the end. It was a fitting kick-off for the new facility.

Check out the full photo set from the 2014 Summer Music Enrichment Program final performance on the Academy’s Facebook page.