Cool Bus

This was meant to be part of a post about the Music Department but I separated it because of its length.

Music camp —the first music event of the year— is essentially what set me into the Music Department two years ago. While barely knowing any of the other grade nines and a far cry from being able to play my new instrument properly, I set out after only a few weeks into high school to go to a music camp. It was pretty long bus ride (—again, with people I barely knew—) to the camp, situated up north.

What we do at the camp is relatively simple. On the first day, we are introduced to the area and shown around. We also play a few simple games to get to know each other a bit. We eat dinner then settle down to watch a performance. The next few days, we practice our instruments, have band rehearsals, take part in electives, and watch performances or perform after dinner. By the third year, the excitement of being shown around the place has completely dissipated and the games felt chore-like.

This being my third consecutive year going to the camp, what exactly has changed? The performances by the camp councilors and staff have remained relatively the same; likewise with the events —Crazy Olympics, cabin performances— with the occasional deviation. Our cabins, however, have changed. The CIT cabins I was situated in during my first year at the camp have since been deserted. The food also has sporadically differed —the "love it or hate it" music camp veterans all know about. The students sharing my grade also changed. From 60-80 in my first year to around 20 in my second year, the numbers had dwindled to around 12 by the time I went as a junior.

Another major change? For me, becoming a mentor. As I'm now in grade 11, I now have the privilege of  of becoming a mentor for the lower grades participating in the camp. That also includes the privilege of staying up late and maintaining order within the various male cabins at night. However, the most enjoyable part in being a mentor, to me, was taking part in the mentor performance.

A word now on the performance by all the mentors —we played and sang a series of pop songs based on the four chords in Pachelbel's Canon. The four chords written generally would be I - V - VI - IV. Although I knew the lyrics to only two out of the twelve or so songs, I still enjoyed being part of the event. There was also brief speculation as to whether or not the grade nines would enjoy the performance. Speaking to a few of them later, however, confirmed my thoughts —they loved it.

At this point I cannot help but to be agnostic as to whether or not I will attend next year. Although it will be the last year I can attend, the price and declining enthusiasm may set me off. That's not to say that Music Camp isn't the best way to start a new school year —meeting new students, hauling off to Horner's trumpet, the food (—from which opposing opinions sprout—), and of course: hours of practicing and band rehearsals.