From January 7th - 11th
2013, 48 students from Keiskamma Music Academy enjoyed a unique and exciting
camp experience at Hobbiton Outdoor Centre in
Hogsback. Generous funding allowed us to take 48 music students from our
core programme in Hamburg as well as from our new extension group in the nearby
village of Bodium. For many of these young people it was their first experience
of staying away from home and family, so the schedule and the activities were
unlike anything they had ever tried before.
Many outdoor challenges really stretched the
youngsters both physically & mentally. Students progressed through low
& mid-ropes activities to a high-ropes course on the final day. It was
surprising on the fourth day how many of the group were happy to attempt a
nerve-wracking climb, 'trapeze' jump, or climbing wall, such was their growing
confidence in themselves.
Many of the activities took place in small
groups or teams that encouraged a mix of ages and abilities. Students were not
always able to remain in groups with their friends, but had to rotate through a
variety of groups and learn to communicate and negotiate with everyone. Each
team had to work together to support weaker members. As teachers, we were
impressed by the good-natured team spirit and
communication. Older students were very helpful and encouraging with their
younger team members. During the week the young people faced many personal
challenges. The weather was wet and conditions were quite tough at times for
outdoor activities. However, with a helping hand and a little encouragement,
they all participated fully.
We also scheduled sessions during the day for
focused instrumental ensemble music. The group worked on fine-tuning some of
their existing repertoire as well as learning new ensemble music. In the spirit of teamwork that had been
developing through the camp, older students took initiative in volunteering to
take groups of younger students aside for extra help learning their music. The students staged an informal concert on
the final day for staff and volunteers.
The emphasis during the week was not on performance, however, but on
sharing music-making as a group. Some students appreciated the chance to
practice new pieces with their friends in their (very little!) spare time.
During a night hike on our final evening, we
reached an open space in the woodland where we stood in silence in a circle in
the darkness, sensing each others' presence, listening only to the night
sounds. This was a moving experience for some of them. Encouraged to voice
their thoughts, one boy spoke up:
'I have never been in a group like this before... I have
never been out in the forest at night. I thought it would be dangerous but I
know now that I can face my fears...'
I felt that he expressed the feelings of many
around the circle that damp evening.
These few days at camp will remain vibrant in
our students' memories for years to come and perhaps provide a key to open
doors to future opportunities that they may not have dreamt of otherwise.
