Music camp is creative outlet

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SEEDS School of Rock camp provided 60 youngsters with an opportunity to learn and be creative. Special to the Record-Eagle/Carol South

June 27, 2012

Music camp is creative outlet

By Carol South Special to the Record-Eagle The Record Eagle Wed Jun 27, 2012, 09:41 AM EDT

TRAVERSE CITY — Nearly 60 young musicians grooved to their creative explorations as Twin Lakes Park reverberated with original songs and a wide variety of instruments.

The beat went on all last week at the SEEDS School of Rock Camp held at the park's Gilbert Lodge. Earth Work musicians, including Seth Bernard, Josh Davis from Steppin In It, Rachel Davis and Darlene Graham Parsons, guided and facilitated the four-day creative immersion. It wrapped with a presentation by Jeff Haas and Building Bridges with Music that underlined the camp's theme of tolerance and non-violence.

"The whole point of the camp is a community of music," said Dan Shoup, a SEEDS after school coordinator based in Frankfort. "It's an outlet for them, they can be creative in so many different ways. And they learn that it takes all different talents and they need each other."

The week of fun, learning and experimentation culminated Thursday with a student variety show for family members. The high-energy gathering showcased original songs, multiple new ensembles and a range of acquired musical skills students developed during the week. That evening, camp participants were invited to join the professional musicians during an evening concert and all-ages jamboree held at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons.

The camp experience was "a musical dream," said Michael Michalski, 12, a seventh grader at Kalkaska Middle School.

"It's been amazing," he added. "I've learned a lot of new things and made new friends and started a band."

Between 50-60 students in grades 7 - 9, plus a handful of younger ones, participated in the camp.

The effort grew out of a music camp Shoup offered last summer in Frankfort. That successful program for middle and high school students morphed into a larger offering for students from the five-county area.

"It gives kids an opportunity to explore rock, folk, jazz and blues, anything they can think of," Shoup said.

Bill Watson, SEEDS After School program director, was impressed by the energy and accomplishment of the School of Rock Camp.

"I've been doing after-school programs for seven years, a lot of really incredibly cool things for kids," he said. "But this is tops of everything, it's penultimate!"

Hunter Webb, 12 and a seventh grader at Kalkaska Middle School, enjoyed learning new instruments. Like many attendees, he hopes to return next summer.

"I love it," he said.

Zak Watson, 14, a freshman at Traverse City West High School, tried out drums and other new instruments and also praised the experience.

"Everyone, once they're here, is a rock star," he said.

Davis noted that students wrote a dozen original tunes — a prolific rate of creativity. Three on-site recording studios allowed students to professionally capture their works.

"I started playing guitar at 13," reflected Davis. "I think that if I had had something like this it would have exploded my mind."

After four days with the kids, Davis noted that while the professional mentors provided a solid foundation, students took it to another level. Their attention, hard work and focus exceeded expectations.

They formed bands, wrote lyrics and music collaboratively and from their hearts, and worked together without judgment.

"It's great that they've had access to us, but it's even more important that they've made connections with each other," Davis said.

For more information on SEEDS, visit www.ecoseeds.org.