Article 1999

NZ Suzuki Journal Summer 1999 – South Island Summer Camp

1999 was the eleventh South Island summer camp and the sixth to be held at Waitaki Boys’ High School in Oamaru.

Each year, we receive a wonderful welcome from Jimmy, the boarding school Hostel Manager, and from the kitchen staff. The school is now becoming a home away from home! A past school principal has even made the Suzuki students honorary Waitaki Boys’ High School boarders.

Teacher Training started on the Tuesday afternoon. While everyone was trickling in to register and have tea, the trainees and trainers were hard at work. The program for each morning consisted of individual and group lessons, which also included Dalcroze for the younger students and chamber music for the older students. Larger group sessions were held before tea, and solo concerts after tea were followed by more informal activities such as contra dancing.

There was a very informative parent talk led by Doris Koppelmann and Sheila Warby (piano) and Judy Blank (violin). Lois McCallum, Christchurch teacher, also contributed to discussions.

One evening, past Suzuki violin student Alwyn Westbrooke and camp accompanist Veronica van der Knapp gave a wonderful concert in the Hall of Memories. Alwyn played Beethoven’s Spring Sonata and an excerpt of a solo sonata by Bartok.

The fun concert seemed to be dominated by lip-syncing dance routines. It looked like some of the performers had spent many hours of valuable practice time perfecting their items! There was a wonderful original story written and read by a parent and acted out by some of the children, with the star actor, Judy Blank, playing the “monster.”

The camp finished with a public concert on the last afternoon, leaving enough time for everyone to make it back home before dark. Many thanks to the tutors, the committee, and helpers for making it such a worthwhile experience.

Lois McCallum, Christchurch

Fun Concert at the South Island Camp – The “Monster Story” starring Judy Blank (USA)

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