Westglades Middle School Band.[Courtesy of Kendra Fletcher]
By Bryan Boggiano
School is almost out, and summer is almost at its forte for students interested in music.
Westglades Middle School will host its annual summer music camp starting Monday, June 13, and continuing through Thursday, June 16.
The camp hours will be from 9:00 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day. A grand finale will include a camp concert scheduled for June 16 at 6 p.m.
The program offers instruction for 15 different instruments, including tuba, trombone, trumpet, French horn, flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, percussion, violin, viola, cello, euphonium, saxophone, and bass.
Professionals will instruct students on each of the instruments during group instruction. The camp also includes full band and orchestra time for students to practice together.
Camp registration is open for students as young as incoming sixth graders to eighth graders. Campers do not have to attend Westglades to register.
One parent, Heather Meaney, strongly recommends the program for any child interested in music.
When both her son and daughter started at the school in 2020, neither had any musical experience.
Despite the challenges that COVID presented, which included learning how to play instruments virtually, Meaney said that her kids quickly gained an appreciation for music.
“Even with those huge hurdles, the Westglades band program leadership was excellent and helped them select instruments they would have fun learning,” she said.
When both of her children wanted to change instruments at the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year, she said that Director Christian Gordon helped identify which instruments they were most well-suited for.
Both of Meaney’s children participated in marching band during the school year, where they performed at Universal Studios and the Coral Springs Holiday Parade.
Meaney said that this year, both her son and daughter are excited to participate in the music camp to improve their skills and hang out with their friends.
She said that while her kids will gain from their experience at the camp, the program has something to offer for every child.
“Whether your child has never played an instrument before or has had years of lessons, I know they will get something great out of summer band camp now and from participating in band or orchestra in general,” Meaney said.
More information on payment and registration is available at the Westglades Bands website.
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