Today was the first day of the 2016 Music for All Summer Symposium but the first day ever for our Middle School Concert Band Camp. As the middle school students started arriving on campus, some of them were a little intimidated, some of them were just as big as their instrument, but all of them were so excited to get started. Keith Ozsvath and Greg Scapillato, coordinators of the Middle School division, were even more excited for a fun week ahead.

The goal of Ozsvath and Scapillato was to get about 60 middle school campers for the first year. They surpassed this number with flying colors by forming a group of 110 middle schoolers. This number makes the directors and their division specific SWAGS that much more eager.

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After getting registered, checking in to their dorm rooms, and attending the full camp opening session, the middle school campers finally got to go to their first rehearsals and meet their conductors. Cheryl Floyd and Wendy Higdon are conducting the middle school concert bands with Scott Brown working with the percussion students. Floyd is from Texas and Higdon is from Indiana which helped created the split between these campers into the Texas concert band and Indiana concert band.

These campers are from all over the United States. Whether they are from Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Georgia, Missouri, or Florida, they are quickly making new friends. New friends, new music, and new life changing experiences will be filling their week.

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After a team-building session with Fran Kick, dinner, and one more rehearsal, they ended the day with a Yamaha Young Performing Arts Concert. Some of these middle schoolers started the day before 8 a.m. and they are all  ending their day around 10 p.m. which makes for a very long, but pretty amazing first day.

We are beyond excited to have our new middle school friends on campus with us for the Music for All Summer Symposium. No matter where they are going on campus, you’ll see them coming. The sea of yellow helps but their bright eyes and smiling faces are the easiest giveaway.

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