Crowden Winter Camp Counselor

Wednesday, December 16th - 1 hour 

 

I had a Zoom meeting with my supervisor, Rachel Durling. I was offered

this internship at the Crowden Winter Camp. This meeting was with

Rachel Durling where we went over my role and what safety precautions

were being taken in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

Tuesday, December 22nd - 1 hour 

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I had to get tested for COVID-19 a week before the camp began to make

sure that I was COIVD free. I also worked with the ACLC office, and my

supervisors to get the appropriate paperwork for my work permit filled out.

 

Tuesday, December 22nd - 2 hours 

 

There was an orientation held for me, the counselor, and the faculty along

with the families of the campers. This meeting was where we made final

plans for the start of camp on Monday, December 28th. The faculty and

I discussed the plans for the classes and the activities and breaks

throughout the camp day. When the families arrived (on Zoom) we

informed them of the COVID precautions being taken and

answered any questions they may have had. This meeting was essentially

in preparation for the beginning of camp. 

 

Monday, December 28th - 4 hours

 

December 28th was the first day of the camp. I arrived at 8:00 am and helped Rachel (violin instructor and supervisor), Marion (program coordinator), Jane (cello instructor), and Hande (violin and orchestra instructor) prepare for the first day of camp. I helped set up the rooms for the required amount of social distancing and helped get the instruments ready for the campers. The campers arrived around 8:45 and I escorted them to their respective rooms and introduced them to their teacher. Introducing the campers to their instructors made them feel less nervous, and especially once they got to know how kind and gentle the instructors were. Once all of the campers arrived, I, along with Rachel, helped them unpack their instruments and tune them. Throughout the two hours of technique class, I aided kids with their position of the instrument and bow and made sure that everyone was feeling comfortable. After technique class, the kids had a break during which I talked with campers and made them feel welcome. The last hour of the day was spent in the orchestra where I aided Hande in coaching the campers on the piece of music we were playing: Pink Tango.

 

Tuesday, December 29th- 4 hours 

 

My role on the second day of camp was almost identical to the first day. I arrived at 8:00 and met Rachel who asked me to help reset up the room. Around 8:45 I began escorting kids to their technique rooms. I aided Rachel in making sure that campers were holding their instruments and bows correctly, making sure that the instruments and campers were safe, and individually helped some of the less-experienced campers who were struggling. The last hour of the day was spent in the orchestra where I helped Hande coach the orchestra by guiding some of the struggling campers. 

 

Wednesday, December 30th- 4 hours 

 

I arrived at 8:00 am and again helped Rachel get ready for the day. Around 8:45 I began escorting kids to their technique rooms. I organized music folders for all the campers. The campers were making a noticeable improvement with their playing and so I was asked to play violin with them while Rachel played piano (instead of violin). I demonstrated proper positioning and technique and led them in their rehearsal. This required me to have remembered all of the technical pieces I had heard, and playout so the campers had someone to follow. During orchestra, I played along next to the struggling players to make sure that they understood where we were, and how the music sounded. 

 

Friday, December 31st -4 hours 

 

The last day was similar to the rest of the week but it was more stressful because it was recording day for all of the pieces. The COVID pandemic has disrupted all of the regular concerts this year and so we pre-recorded all the pieces and sent them out to the parents. I arrived at 8:00 and started escorting kids into their technique classes as they arrived. In the second period, I was asked to play in front of the kids while they were being recorded. Rachel played the piano, and I led and demonstrated proper positioning and pitches within their technical exercises. The kids had a longer break during the last day where I conversed with campers themselves, and both Rachel and Jane (the cello coach). During the last period, I tracked the music for some of the kids that were struggling. The musicians had to record their orchestra piece, I played in the back of the orchestra being a strong voice for some of the campers that were struggling. After this recording, the kids were super tired and so Rachel, Hande, and I played the piece they were playing much faster (at real tempo). After Hande played the harmony part, I played the normal part, and Rachel played the piano. So essentially, we played a mini-concert for all the campers. At the end of the day, I waited outside with the kids and stood with them until their parents arrived. I stayed late to help Rachel put away the instruments that the kids were loaning, clean up the rooms, and put everything back in order for the school to start the following week.

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Closing Remarks 

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I had an amazing internship experience at the Crowden Winter Camp. I worked alongside the faculty, and I helped the young campers who were just starting on violin. I had done other coaching work before, but this experience helped me develop more skills that will help me teach music in the future. I used my time-management skills, willingness to participate and lead, a supportive and kind attitude towards the campers, and of course my knowledge of musical performance, terminology, and coaching.  

 

Each day I arrived early and helped prepare for the day. As students arrived, I checked them in and led them to their classroom. There were some campers who were excited, and some were nervous, but I tried to make them feel comfortable and prepared. I used experiences that made me, a musician, feel comfortable because I remember when I started violin, and it was really scary. Being able to use my own experiences to help others allowed me to form friendly connections with some of the campers, and the team of faculty. While I was familiar with my responsibilities, I still had to think on my feet. 

 

The schedule was the same throughout the week; 2-hours in a technique class and then 1-hour of the orchestra. COVID-19 presented a challenge to the day-to-day events, but there were still opportunities for the campers to form friendships and learn a bit about the violin/cello. In line with COVID-19 restrictions and precautions, everyone had to get tested for COVID-19, social distancing had to be maintained, masks had to be worn at all times (covering both the mouth and nose), and hands had to be sanitized at all times. It was my role to help enforce these policies. It was also a lot harder to teach music while these policies were enforced because it was less comfortable to correct a kid’s posture. 

 

During the technique classes, I stood in the back helping the back row, while Rachel (my supervisor) stood in front and helped the front row. I had my instrument with me, and would often play behind kids and so they could hear the proper pitches. There were a series of pieces that these beginning musicians were learning; Mom and Dad Song; Ann Dan, and Eggbert; Ringing Bells; and the Open String Song. The first two days were dedicated to learning how to hold the instrument and bow, learning the open string, and using the first finger. In the last two days, the campers were able to apply these techniques to pieces they learned. Ultimately for the concert, Rachel played along with the campers on piano, while I stood in front of them and led the group on violin.  

 

During orchestra, I stood in the back, again, helping the campers in the back row, while Hande (orchestra instructor) specifically helped the front row and the couple of cello players that joined us. I would track the music using my bow or playing behind specific campers to help them feel more confident in their playing. The first few practices were dedicated to learning the song, and during the last two, Rachel would run-through the pieces playing the piano, while Hande played in-front of the group, and I helped the back row. 

 

Typically, this camp would have a concert at the end of the week, but because of COVID-19, we couldn’t do that. We still wanted parents to see the progress their child made on their instrument, and so on the last day of camp, they recorded the pieces they learned. For the technique class, I played in front of the kids, while Rachel played the piano and so they had someone to follow. In the orchestra, I played next to two of the campers who struggled to help them feel comfortable and some sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. After we recorded the pieces, we let the kids pack up or they had the chance to play the orchestral piece with Rachel, Hande, and me. Most of the campers were extremely tired, and so it turned into essentially a trio between the faculty and me, which was incredibly fun. The few kids that played along were having fun too, which was nice to see them enjoying themselves. After, Rachel gave Hande a harmony part and told me to play the campers’ part to lead them. Along with the few campers who were playing, Rachel, Hande, and I all played while the other campers listened or danced along. 

 

Initially, I was nervous about this camp, but I am so glad I got to do it, especially considering COVID-19. Music is such an important part of my life, and I love sharing it with others, especially young musicians. It’s such a unique experience for a young child to be able to play music, but it’s also incredibly important during times like these. My initial worry about how this camp was going to run, was totally incorrect. Not only did I get to share music with others, but I also got to grow deeper connections for future employment at the Crowden School, and got to play music with others in a time where we are all so isolated. 

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