Camp Update: 7/10/2024, 10:00am:
We hope you and your family are doing well. We are still without power as are several of the Klein schools.
Many have asked if it’s possible for us to move the camp to next week. Initially, we thought that might be an option. Unfortunately, the host school’s orchestra director and assistant director are not available to host the camp. Several of the orchestra directors that were teaching at the camp are also not available any other week. We chose Klein Forest for several reasons but, the primary one being that they were not under construction. Many of the Klein high schools are getting new building extensions and new entrances which prohibited their ability to host the camp.
As many of you know, we launched our 6th Grade Strings Camp in the summer of 2013. We began the Summer Strings Camp in the summer of 2015 as an extension of our summer camp program. The only other summer we have not been able to host the camp was the summer of 2020 during the pandemic.
We are truly heartbroken to have to cancel the camp but, like Hurricane Harvey and now Beryl, the forces are just too insurmountable. I hope those of you with damage are able to get back into your homes soon. We know, from the experience of Harvey, that our community is resilient and we will get through this together.
Camp Update 7/9/2024, 4:00pm:
Klein ISD has announced they will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, July 10. It is with much regret that we have to cancel the Summer Strings camp this year. We tried to reschedule the camp with the district but, they are not sure when all of the Klein buildings will have power and be able to re-open. Realistically, there is only 2-1/2 weeks before the teachers have to report to school. They go in August 1.
Parents, we will email you a link to a form to fill out for the refund request. The form will request your student(s) name(s), how much you paid, how much of a refund you want and the address of where to mail the checks. Since we still do not have power at our office, it will be next week before we can begin to issue refunds. We will need to deduct the cost of the credit card fees from the refund. Example: For a $200 registration fee, the max refund will be $193.
Please keep in mind that we have put a lot of time and energy in creating this camp for 152 students. Cypress Creek FACE is a non-profit performing arts foundation. If you can donate any funds to help us re-coop our loses, it would be greatly appreciated.
Camp Update 7/8/2024, 8:00pm:
As many of you know by now, Klein ISD will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, July 9th. We have heard from families who sustained significant damage to their homes. I hope everyone made it through the storm safely.
Like many of you, our staff’s homes and our office are still without power. Until we know the power situation, we can’t make any firm plans about what to do about the camp.
Many have asked about refunds. If the camp is cancelled or moved to next week and you are unable to attend, we will offer refunds.
If we have to cancel the camp, please keep in mind that we have put a lot of time and energy in creating this camp for 152 students. We have 40 faculty members, including 24 teaching assistants. Cypress Creek FACE is a non-profit performing arts foundation. If you can donate any funds to help us re-coop our loses, it would be greatly appreciated.
Camp Update 7/7/2024, 7:20pm: Music for each orchestra can be accessed by clicking the name of the orchestra your student has been assigned:
Aria Orchestra • Philharmonic Orchestra • Sinfonietta Orchestra • Camerata Orchestra
Camp Update 7/7/2024, 1:30pm: Klein ISD has closed all buildings on Monday, July 8, therefore, camp will start at 9am on Tuesday. Later today, a link to your student’s orchestra music will be texted/emailed. Students should review/practice the music at home on Monday. We look forward to seeing everyone Tuesday.
The Summer Strings camp is week-long all day orchestra program for students who are entering the 7th, 8th or 9th grade in the fall of 2024. We are focused on helping the students improve their individual technique as well as provide enrichment opportunities on their instrument.
Camp Dates: July 8 – 12, 2024 from 9:00am – 3:00pm
All students will participate in Orchestra, sectional and technique classes each day. Additionally, each student will select two electives from our list of classes to take each day (see below). They will also all take part in recreation time. Students will need to bring their lunch Monday through Thursday. The camp will provide pizza, salad and cookies for lunch on Friday.
Registration Fee: $200 Klein ISD students; $225 Non-Klein ISD students
Camp Director: Ms. Coramae Neely, Strack Intermediate Orchestra Director
Location: Klein Forest High School, 11400 Misty Valley Dr, Klein, TX 77066
REGISTRATION LIMIT: Due to the stage size, we a limited to a maximum of 160 students that can attend. Once this number is reached, Registration will be closed regardless of the dates listed below.
Deadline to register: Thursday, June 26, 2024 at 5pm
Financial Aid: Financial aid is available. Please download this form, fill it out and send it to our Camp Director Cora Neely at [email protected].
Video Submission
In order for the camp to be the BEST experience for your student, we need each student to record themselves performing on their instrument. This is not an audition. Our camp director will use this video to determine your student’s ability on their instrument. This will determine the orchestra your student will be assigned. Students will upload their video to Flipgrid. Once the student is registered, they will receive an email with the code to join the Summer Strings 2024 Flipgrid Group. The email will have instructions regarding what to record and submit.
Classes
Orchestra: Students will rehearse with the orchestra for an hour and a half each day where they will work on preparing a program for the Grand Concert Friday evening. If we have to divide the students into two separate orchestras, students will be placed into an orchestra based on level of experience.
Sectional – In these classes the students will be divided by their orchestra part: Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, and Bass. They will spend this time working on their parts in the orchestra music as well as a piece specifically for their instrument to perform at the Friday evening concert.
Technique – These classes will be divided by instrument (violins may be split further due to the high number of students). In here they will work on increasing their technical abilities on their instruments.
Recreation – For thirty minutes each day the students will spend time with Klein ISD coaches playing games and getting some exercise. It is a good way for students to blow off some steam in between classes.
Electives
Each student must select two electives.
Chamber Music – Students will be placed in small ensembles with their fellow camp students. Each ensemble will have a faculty coach who will hand select a piece for them to learn. Their faculty coach will work with them every day to help them prepare for their performance. Chamber ensembles are as much about teamwork as they are about learning the music.
Alternative Styles – In this elective, students will learn the basics of how to improvise on their instruments. They will learn how to “play by ear” and about the 12-bar blues. These are skills students should learn if they are interested in playing popular music.
Music History – Students will learn about music through the ages. The class will focus specifically on the evolution of orchestra music through time. Each day the students will learn about a different style or era of orchestra music. This class will help students understand why certain music sounds the way it does and how to tell the difference between different styles.
Music Theory – Students will learn how music works. This is where you can learn the “nuts and bolts” of music ~ like how scales are built, what intervals are, what chords are and how to build them.
Music Composition – This elective is for students who want to go beyond the basic music theory class to understand how to compose music. Music composition is the process of making or forming a piece of music by combining different elements of music theory.
A foundation in music theory is a prerequisite for this class.
Vibrato –Many students are often very excited and eager to learn what some people refer to as the ‘finger shake’. Vibrato takes an intermediate player and makes them sound very advanced. Vibrato adds fullness, rich color, and variety to your playing, but it is also very difficult to learn and slow to master. This elective will teach you vibrato or help you improve your skills.
Friday Evening Concert
On Friday evening, July 12, the camp will end with a concert at 7pm. Students will arrive by 6 p.m. wearing their camp t-shirt. There will be a short rehearsal before the concert doors opens for the audience. Students are encouraged to invite family and friends to attend the free concert.