Expanded musical camp offerings this summer at Sharon Mills Park!

CAS Day Camp for ages 6-13 set for June 18-29; Riverfolk brings back Teen and Adult Jam Camp June 25-28

CAS Day Camp and Riverfolk Jam Camp will be held in the beautiful facilities at Sharon Mills County Park.

An expansion of musical opportunities in Manchester this summer will include the popular Cultural Arts Strings (CAS) day camp as well as a revival of the “Riverfolk Jam Camp,” which was last offered in 2011.

Both camps will be held in the beautiful environs of Sharon Mills County Park, just a few miles outside the village, allowing access to outdoor time where children and adults alike can take guided hikes on the trail and be inspired by the nature that surrounds them, and highlighting the symbiotic relationship between nature and music. The varied styles of music that will be played include Bluegrass, Early Country, Cajun & Creole tunes, Old Time Gospel, Country Blues, Old Time Swing, and Celtic tunes, while instruction and support can be offered for a wide variety of acoustic instruments.

Typically, the CAS camps, which offer two one-week sessions, with options of half-day or full-day instruction, attracts about 25 students per week. The camp also has an art component, with projects selected that will support the theme of a song the students are learning.

“Last year, the students learned a folk tune called My Old Cottage Home,” explained Aileen Rohwer, one of the founders of the camp as well as a faculty member. “We learned to sing the song and play the song. Creating art that supports the song adds another element to connect the process of music making and communicating a story to our audiences, plus having a visual representation of what it means to be part of a whole.”

During last year’s session, the children each painted their own “cottage” and created a village with all of the cottages; then took them home at the end of the camp week.

“This is similar to practicing their individual part and then putting them all together in the (musical) group,” Rohwer said.

Mark Palms, who is coordinating this year’s Jam Camp, has dreamed for years about integrating the young students into a larger group that includes all ages.”After seeing the (CAS) kids getting older, he wanted to be able to provide a place for the now-alumni teens of CAS to learn traditional fiddle techniques,” Rohwer added. “They will be able to jam with adult players; essentially having a space where the adult players could inspire the up-and-coming ones, and vice versa.”

The Jam Camp, which is an afternoon-only camp (allowing the youth component of the camp to participate in Jam Camp as well as the CAS day camp), is open to the public. In past years, many out of town and even out-of-state residents have come in for the camp. A daily prepared lunch will be provided for those who choose to purchase it as part of their Jam Camp package.

“There’s a nationwide attraction to adult jam camps, where traditional fiddling techniques are taught in an open environment where people can play at their own level,” Rohwer said.

The fee for Riverfolk Jam Camp 2018 is $125 “all inclusive,” with the option of a $35 daily rate which includes instruction only. CAS Day Camp is $175 for half-day sessions and $350 for full-day sessions, which includes instrument rental, insurance, lessons, t-shirt, and supplies. All day cost covers private lessons, and extra projects or classes.

A performance at the June 28 Gazebo Concert will be optional to all participants.

Early Bird registrations for both camps are due on May 1. Final deadline for applications is May 15. A link to the registration can be found at Eventbrite.com. For more information, contact Aileen at 734-223-6876.

In addition, interested families can connect with CAS and Jam Camp faculty members at two upcoming events this month, and one in late May: On Friday, April 20, the CAS ensemble will be playing at Klager Math & Science Night. This is an opportunity to not only show the community how Math and Science are connected to music, but also to showcase the musical accomplishments of CAS students, and answer questions about the program. On Saturday, April 28, the next-to-last Blacksmith Shop concert of this year’s season will feature faculty, friends, and local teen talent from the CAS. This show will highlight the musical diversity in the Manchester community, featuring works in classical, jazz, and folk styles. In addition, the CAS Spring Recital will be held on May 29, 4:30 pm at the Kingsley-Jenter House, 302 E. Main Street.

“The April 28 concert will also be a benefit for Riverfolk, and we will be announcing next season’s Blacksmith concerts as well as our summertime Gazebo concert series,” Rohwer said. “We hope to reach our goal of raising the remaining $6,500 for our fiscal year budget.”

This concert is generously supported by the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation. If you cannot attend the concert but wish to make a donation, it can be accepted securely online at the Riverfolk website riverfolkarts.org, or by mail at PO Box 146, Manchester MI 48158.

Program Support provided by Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission

A creative component at CAS Day Camp explores the relationship between music and art.

Group and individual instruction is held for all levels of learners from age 6-13.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.