Riverfolk’s String Camps welcome adults and children

Riverfolk’s CAS camp, held this year at Sharon Mills Park, focused on music, the arts, and performances.

Now in its seventh year, Cultural Art Strings finished its season of day camps with performances at the end of each week (June 18-29) for parents and friends at Sharon Mills County Park. Each performance featured Beginning Guitars, Beginning Violin and Cello, and Intermediate Strings, all showing off their new skills learned on their instruments.

For the beginning groups, it was showing how to hold their instruments, singing songs to show off skills like holding the bow or plucking open strings, or demonstrating a basic tune on their instruments with a few left hand fingers down on each string. Then, the Intermediate Strings showed off more complicated melodies with several harmonic parts playing together and even including the beginning guitars and strings joining in on open strings. Another element of the camp was rhythmic clapping and rhyming songs that would demonstrate skills that help develop both sides of the brain/crossing the midline—a skill needed to be able to play an instrument and for academic skills such as reading and math. Art projects have always been a big part of CAS camp; to not only reinforce the themes of the camp, but to support learning through a visual medium.

A new element to camp this year was adding musical theatre. The children learned to sing and dance and project their voices by presenting several scenes from the award-winning Rogers and Hammerstein production, The Sound of Music. Songs such as Do-Re-Mi, So Long Farewell, Alleluia, and The Lonely Goatherd were learned both on their instruments and through singing and acting.

“The students were so excited to come to camp each day,” reported Aileen Rohwer, Founder and Director of Cultural Art Strings. “We had zero behavioral issues at camp. I was extremely pleased with each performance at the end of the week. Our faculty and staff (Carol Palms, Ryan Seay, Emily Slomovits, Danielle Doyle and Benjamin Dahl) were so supportive of the curriculum and really carried it out to its fullest potential.

“We are grateful to Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation for providing program support through the use of their grounds and facility, which ended up being the perfect setting for our camp,” Rohwer added. “We even included an element of nature studies and brought out local beekeeper Jennette Green to talk about the life of bees.”

Parents had a lot to say about camp, too! Benjamin Dahl, local resident and music director at St. Mary’s church said, ”Great facility and beautiful grounds at Sharon Mills. My kids enjoyed every event of the camp, and I enjoyed seeing them so
involved.” Another parent reported, “CAS Camp was a wonderful experience for my child, who enjoyed making new friends, learning new songs, and performing.”

Campers have the option of continuing lessons through the summer or waiting to register for the Fall/Winter Session September-January. Save the Date for next year’s camps taking place June 17-28.

Mark Palms, Founder and President of Riverfolk Music and Arts, returned to revive the Adult and Teen Jam Camp June 25-28. The intent of the camp was to welcome all musicians at any level to come together and learn different styles of acoustic instruments exploring the styles of Cajun, Old Time, Swing, Blues, and more. Each day the campers gathered for an optional home-cooked BBQ lunch, then split into small groups to study with a master musician. The final hour of each day was to “jam” with all campers together and learn the different roles musicians take when playing in a group. Sometimes you’re backing up other musicians with a rhythmic figure, sometimes you take the lead role, some times you’re providing chordal support for the melodies.

The Jam Camp was also well received. Camper Gordon Peters said, “The Riverfolk Jam camp was great. It was my first time at a camp; I learned to play harmonica from Peter Madcat Ruth, a very good teacher and a great player.

“Thanks for doing the camp, I will be looking forward to going again next year!”

In the evenings, campers gathered at different locations including Argo Park in Ann Arbor and the Palms’ Barn in Manchester for an additional “Jam.” The program culminated in a public performance at the Manchester Gazebo Concerts on Thursday, June 28 as an opening act to the guest Peter “Madcat” Ruth who also served on the faculty of the camp along with David Greely, Drew Howard, Randy Markey, and Mark Palms.

Riverfolk continues to serve its community with music and arts experiences that nurture creativity and promote cultural diversity. Board Members include Mark Palms, James Horton, Phil Cecconie, Gordy Peters, Carol Palms and Aileen Rohwer. Donations can be made online at riverfolkarts.org or the Riverfolk Facebook page, or by mailing to PO Box 146 Manchester, MI 48158.

Music instruction at CAS camp held at Sharon Mills County park.

Jam Camp members of all ages participated in the Gazebo Concert performance last Thursday, featuring faculty members Peter “Madcat” Ruth and Drew Howard.

CAS Campers performed songs and dramatic excerpts from The Sound of Music

A fun moment at Cultural Arts Strings camp, which was held June 18-29.

Adult Jam Campers practicing their art at camp, June 25-29.

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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.