Summer Camp 2024 Wrap-Up!
At the peak of July heat, twenty-six campers, four high school counselors, and five Kalamazoo Children’s Chorus staff stepped back in time to the bucket hats, flannels, boy bands, and girl groups of the 90’s.
For four fun-filled days, campers from Marshall, Richland, Portage, Otsego, Vicksburg, and Kalamazoo drove into the Celery Flats in Portage for the opportunity to dive into choral music, learn and rehearse choreography, and, of course, make and strengthen friendships.
Campers and staff alike showed their spirit by participating in theme days such as “Dress in your Favorite Color” day, “Tie Dye” day, and, of course, “90s Throwback” Day – which was “all that and a bag of potato chips.”
From that very first morning on, campers enthusiastically took on the challenge of learning and performing three pieces of music: “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” TLC’s “Waterfalls” and, finally, “All Star” by Smash Mouth.
In addition to working on the melody, words, and rhythm of the musical line, campers also learned and rehearsed 90’s-inspired choreography which fittingly featured moves such as “the Carlton,” “around the world”, and the “Bye-Bye-Bye” jumps in the style of NSYNC.
When they weren’t rehearsing their three main songs as one whole choir, campers split off into smaller groups to take on mini-challenges known as “quests.” During this time, they showcased their creativity by creating vocal warm-ups for the group and even helped lead each other by focusing on a verse or two from one of the program pieces.
Finally, on the final day of camp, it was time to perform! With our neon green t-shirts decorated and signed by our friends, and our popsicles happily devoured, we were ready to showcase all of our hard work.
The week culminated in a performance at the Celery Flats’ beautiful Grain Elevator – which the Portage Parks and Recreation team generously helped KCC secure after May’s tornado damaged the amphitheater.
On the lawn in front of the Grain Elevator, families and friends gathered on picnic blankets and lawn chairs. Then, the music started, and the campers took their places – smiles on their faces.
For some campers, this was their first time singing in front of other people. For others, it was their first time dancing. But we danced and sang our stage fright away as we raised the roof during Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, captured the emotion of “Waterfalls,” and glittered (like gold) during “All Star.”
The applause of an enthusiastic audience was the cherry on top of an already-rewarding week.
But the Kalamazoo Children’s Chorus Summer 2024 isn’t over!
We’ll be taking our 90’s-inspired set to Bronson Park on August 1st alongside community music groups such as Kalamazoo Kids in Tune and Orchestra Jammbo’laya. The performance begins at 11:00am – but call time for choristers is 10:10am.
For campers participating in this Community Play Day, we are having a brush-up rehearsal on July 31st at Maple Street Middle School from 9am-2pm. Please bring a lunch!
Even if we won’t get to see you on Community Play Day, we want to say BRAVO to all of our Summer 2024 campers and THANK YOU to all of their families and friends.
We think you’re all da bomb .com!!
