Youth perform during last year’s music camp in Mariposa.
Summer Music Camp and the new Little Theatre are ready for people to sign up.
“It’s exciting and loads of fun,” said Gail Vanderslik, director of the local Community Chorus. “Music is one of the greatest activities for children.”
The Summer Music Camp will begin on July 6 and run through July 17. The camp is part of the Mariposa Community Chorus and is cosponsoring the camp. It will also be part of the Mariposa Children’s Choir, which will start in August.
Vanderslik will be directing both the camp and the children’s choir. Assisting her will be Janet Burnside, Sherry Burns, Sarah Brewster and Shelly Gerken. The camp and children’s choir are for youth in grades second through sixth.
The only requirement is for youth to be willing to sing and play an instrument. All youth who sign up for the camp will have priority to register for the children’s choir.
Camp will begin at 8:30 a.m. and finish at 2 p.m. each day. It will include learning vocal exercises, warm-ups, learning harmony, playing kazoos for learning pitch and learning simple songs on a variety of instruments.
The songs will be performed for friends and families on the final day of the camp.
In addition, the youth will learn how to compose their own eight-measure song with lyrics.
Healthy snacks will be served mid-morning and lunch will be served each day. This is thanks “to the generosity” of Pioneer Market, said Vanderslik.
Camp will be limited to 20 youth.
A new group
Also this year, Vanderslik is launching the Children’s Little Theatre. Youth will be able to learn how to act and sing in front of an audience.
The group will consist of children in grades two through eight.
“This will give the kids the opportunity to learn about stage before they enter high school,” said Vanderslik.
She also noted there will be “plenty of opportunities” for children to learn behind the scenes if they don’t want to sing or act. That will include prop building, lighting and artwork.
The Children’s Little Theatre will begin on Tuesday, July 21 and practices will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. at the Methodist Church hall. The finished musical plays will be performed at the high school.
To sign up and for detailed information on the choir, camp and theatre, call Vanderslik at (661) 496-3701.
The love of teaching
“I have loved my role so much teaching children music for over 40 years,” said Vanderslik.
She also is seeking donations for the programs as well as people interested in sponsoring children.
So far, she said those who have donated include Pioneer Market, Creekside Nursery, Mariposa Lions Club, Mariposa County Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of Mariposa Yosemite, Happy Burger, High Country Health Foods, Foster Ace Hardware, Beery’s Physical Therapy, Steve’s Sportsmans Cafe, Mariposa Shipping, China Station, State Farm Insurance, Janet Burnside, Nicole W. Little and Chuck Kendall.
The community choir is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, so donations are tax deductible.
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