Since 2016, our children have been attending the Knoxville Youth Symphony Orchestra summer camps. We had to skip in 2021 because of the mask mandate and there was no camp in 2020.
Our daughter on the first day of orchestra camp
This year, our daughter really enjoyed her time at orchestra. Our son, unfortunately, had a conflict. He attended a computing camp at Southern Adventist University and it happened on the same week. However, he was able to attend the concert on the last day of camp, to support his sister from the audience.
Every camp has a theme. This year’s theme was the Elements: Water, Fire, Earth, and Wind. Our daughter’s orchestra practiced four pieces. Besides that, they practice Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto Number 3 (the third movement), which is a camp tradition. All five orchestras get on stage in a glorious finale which always brings me to tears. The power of classical music.
Auditions for KYSO happen at the end of August every year. The summer camp is a wonderful way for the conductors to get to know you and for you to get to know the atmosphere of youth orchestra and keep your skills sharp.
