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Arts & Entertainment

No Summertime Blues for Trumbull Music Camp Counselors

Many campers get to marching band practice after a summer spent in music.

For several weeks this summer, 185 students in grades 3 to 10, received instruction on strings, woodwind, brass, percussion instruments and guitar at the beginner, intermediate and advanced levels at the Trumbull Summer Music Program at . 

Approximately 30 additional high school students spent those same weeks from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. volunteering their time as counselors and role models.

Three of the teen volunteers compromise the entire tuba section of the (THS) Golden Eagle Marching Band.  Stephen Scott, 16, Tyler Morin, 16 and Zach Teixeira, 15, took time out of their summer vacation to help out with the camp for more than their love of music and fulfilling the high school’s community service requirement, they did it because it was a lot of fun.

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“This is my first time at this camp as a counselor and it is really fun,” said Morin, “even if I have to wake up early in the summer.  I think what makes this camp so good is that all the kids are here because they want to be, so helping them with the music or their instruments is easy. It’s not like really working.”

The daily games of dodge ball kept things interesting as well as an end of camp party complete with Olympic style games.

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Scott enjoys the relaxed atmosphere at the camp.  “It’s an open environment at the camp,” he said.  “Kids of all ages talk to each other and work together.  In band, you’re only as good as your weakest player so we all try to help each other out.  The kids can choose the music they want to play and can try different instruments and there is no pressure.”

The opportunity to try new instruments is what led both Scott and Teixeira to the tuba. Scott, formerly a clarinet player and Teixeira, formerly a trumpet player, tried playing the tuba at camp a few years ago and really enjoyed it.  “I probably would never have played it otherwise,” said Teixeira.  Morin began playing the tuba in sixth grade band at .

Each of the three boys play additional multiple instruments including baritone, trombone, guitar and euphonium so they are well qualified to help the campers.

 “We play parts of the music first and then they play it and we help them with things like pitch, rhythm, and fingering,” said Scott. “That’s what’s so good about this camp, you can learn bits and pieces about a lot of instruments.”

This is Teixeira’s eighth year at the camp.  “I was a camper here for six years and this is my second year as a counselor,” he said.  “I like working with the kids, they remind me of when I was little and learning to play the trumpet.  I can really connect with them and I like that some of them look up to us.”

The high school counselors are from an array of backgrounds.  Many attend THS and are a part of the marching band, but some are not.  Some are a part of the  (RCA), a Performing Arts Magnet High School, the THS concert band and others attend St. Joseph’s High School in Trumbull.  All are role models for both music and behavior for the younger kids.

“The high school counselors are an integral part of this program,” said Thomas Whitmoyer, Trumbull Summer Music Program Director and Hillcrest Middle School Band teacher. “They assist in the supervision, teaching, and modeling of behavior and good rehearsal techniques and they are very inspirational to the younger kids.”

In fact, five of the instructors at this year’s camp are alumni.

The camp’s curriculum includes String Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Improvisation classes. Performance opportunities include solo and small ensembles and weekly recitals. The program culminates in an evening concert program. This year’s program was quite spectacular.

Though the music camp wrapped up, Morin, Scott, and Teixeira are not putting down their instruments.  They have picked up their tubas and returned to marching band practice.

For more information on the Trumbull Summer Camp contact Trumbull Continuing Ed at 203-452-4554 or for more information on the Trumbull High School Golden Eagle Marching Band visit their website at www.thsgembcorp.com/drupal

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