Soon, we will have pics, videos and more details about camp. In the mean time, here's the info from the first days of camp:
DAY ONE
What a day. We have picked up the 32 students staying in the dorms and they are safely delivered to Baker Hall. We had quite a day at the airport. United surprised us by not putting the first set of students luggage on the carousel, and there we waited and waited. Two more flights of students arrived and still no United luggage. We loaded up two of the three vans and then I went to the United counter, where they have you wait in line to report no luggage, and 30 minutes later got to the counter and said, "We're missing luggage for three of our students." They said, "Oh, then it's not here then." To which I replied, "The girls mentioned they saw it being taken out of the plane, maybe you could take a look and see if it's somewhere?" She looks at me like I'm nuts and goes to take a look and I'll be darned if she doesn't find all three girls luggage right there! Finally we could load up the third van and head to Ashland. We got the kids settled, met some parents, went and picked up the rental cello, got some more kids settled and then the kids who were here headed to dinner while one of the counselors went back to the airport for one of the last two pickups.
The girls from Washington, D.C. arrived on time, but WE were late. :( The St. Louis kids were the last to arrive at 10:45 p.m. In the meantime, Arianna String Quartet's violist arrived, but not her luggage. United has no idea where it is! But Joanna sure is taking it all in stride. We're mostly hoping it arrives before her concert on Sunday.
In the meantime, I'm wondering about the other 9 students who live here and are eagerly awaiting Friday morning. Tomorrow morning we will be sure to introduce everyone to each other.
Local parents: tomorrow we will access our van situation - being sure we have room for all cello's and students and offer any room we have remaining to Ashland students who need a ride to Medford.
On some mornings I will be able to provide that ride. We'll know more tomorrow and make a plan before the end of the day about Monday.
Tomorrow night we take the students to opening night of Britt's classical season. The Dickson Quartet from Battle Ground, Washington will be providing music for the Gala Opening Picnic. Throughout the 17 days students are here, various quartets will have opportunities like this. If local students could bring a blanket to share for lawn seating that would be wonderful. I'll bring as many as I have.
We will also try to remember to talk about car pooling before the students leave tomorrow. I'll be leaving directly after camp, taking the Dickson's to the hill. the dorm students will return to the dorms for dinner and then head to the hill. I will give students their tickets to get into the concert before they leave camp tomorrow. Students should enter at Gate 1, by the box office and then look for the rest of us.
We have very strong etiquette rules and guidelines about attendance at concerts on the hill and while I expect no problems with this group of students it always helps if parents help reinforce that there is not talking or giggling or fooling around during the concert. We, the staff, all sit with the students, so we'll be keeping a close eye on things.
Each day I'll send an email home reporting on what is happening and soon we will have a blog for you to visit to see video and pictures!
DAY TWO & THREE
On the weekends, we barely have time to run to a computer and write an update, so this morning I'm throwing some words on paper before we begin taking various students to church and then attend the Arianna String Quartet concert.
Yesterday was a great day of acclimation. Students rehearsed. We're going to have to tie the Holton Arms Quartet down for an hour, so they get some rest. They were in the music building at 8:00 a.m., took a break for lunch, then I found them there again at 2:00 and I'm guessing they stayed until dinner! There were quartets all over campus, rehearsing. Music was wafting from the dorm rooms. The local students were at home or coordinating rehearsal time at the dorms; students had walks in downtown Ashland, caught a movie or grabbed a nap. It was a great day.
We attended the concert at Britt last night and Alison Balsom, trumpeter from England, was stunning! Half of the students were provided reserved seats and the other half sat on the lawn. Our amphitheatre seats 2100 and has 700 reserved seats and 1400 lawn/picnic seats. The orchestra sounds particularly wonderful this year. Maestro Peter Bay will work with the students next week on their orchestral piece - so it was great for them all to experience his conducting last night from the audience.
Today at 3:00 we attend the concert and then the students have their last night for a while to rest their bodies a bit before the grueling week ahead.
An important note; the final recital is NOT at the church any longer, we were lucky to get back into the Recital Hall at SOU. They were closing the hall for August to replace the seats but forgot to order the seats. Their mistake and our fortune!
Same times, just different location.
We love these kids already. This is a tremendous group. Old friendships have been renewed and new friendships are being formed. The alumni have told the new students about the "awards" I give at the end, so I'm keeping notes! Best essay, best outfit on the hill, most vivid purple (I'll explain that later)..........
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