This issue highlights the success of the NYOJ’s 2013 summer camp. The week long day camp aimed to offer students an intense summer course with a focus on full orchestral repertoire to build on their term time skills and prepare them for a new orchestral learning season. The camp's extended timeline, 5 hour days in contrast to the usual 2 hour or 1 ½ hour term time sessions, allowed instructors to work on improving music theory and literacy. The camp’s repertoire included: The Half Minute Waltz, Tango and Cha Cha, the Apollo Suite (first and third movements of which had been introduced at the end of the Spring term) and the Jamaican Medley. The camp ran from August 12 – 16, 2013 with each day divided into choral, theory, sectional and orchestral sessions. This event was sponsored in part by the Friends of the NYOJ Ottawa with a significant contribution towards instructor stipends, student provisions and the purchase of 50 folding chairs for orchestral rehearsals.

The National Youth Orchestra of Jamaica (NYOJ) is a non-profit, non-government organisation engaged in empowering Jamaican youths from vulnerable social groups through classical music training for performance in youth orchestras. Our program stimulates the emotional, social and intellectual development of the children participating and builds confidence, self-esteem and self-awareness

among other attributes necessary for progress, success and achievement in the world.

2013 SUMMER CAMP All

Inside this issue: September 2013

Volume 4 Issue 3

The NYOJ’s 2013 Summer Camp

Conductor Darren Young

smiles as the kids finally get it right

Nicholai and Kerri

focus on the viola

Summer Instructor Julia Woods leads

Double Bass and Cello Sectionals

Xavier excels

on the bassoon

Instructor David

Lokan helps Kayla

Orchestra & Sectional Sessions

Instructor Phillip Myers

leads brass section on tuba

Page 2

Students were eager to return to their instruments after the two month break so the camp began with a significant level of enthusiasm. This attitude was fostered and maintained for the duration of the camp by the presence of summer instructors (both new and returning volunteers) who supported the regular NYOJ instructors and organisers. This additional instructor core facilitated smaller student-teacher ratios, 1:3 versus 1:10 during term time, which allowed for more attentive and engaged lessons. A brief review session at the end of each day provided the instructors with an opportunity to discuss class challenges, make revisions to the schedule or scores and quickly address any arising issues. The small teaching groups continued into theory instruction so students were less likely to get lost or fall behind, and eased the transition into sectionals. With an improved theory base the students were able to reduce their reliance on writing in notes on the scores and therefore able to progress faster. Students also made significant progress with their musical literacy, improving the associations they were able to make between their scores and their performance or progress. During the choral portion of the camp canons like Dona Nobis Pacem were used to introduce a variety of new singing techniques to the group while their main repertoire focus was on enhancing the South African folk anthem Shosholoza. The camp concluded with a performance and prize giving open to family members. Prizes were awarded for participation, perfect attendance, most potential and improvement (per section), improvements in theory and outstanding behaviour.

NYOJ Choir Rehearsals, End of Camp Performance & Prizes!

NYOJ Choir Rehearsals

Music Director, Ann McNamee & Coordinator

Marlene Blackburn distribute prizes

Ann brings prizes for the Theory quiz!

Kerri &

Janelle enjoy the

music

Darren wraps up a

successful performance Orville

poses proudly

with his bass

Nancy bids

farewell to her star pupil

Britany

Page 3

Get Involved

The NYOJ uses music education as a tool for social empowerment, engaging youths with an intensive and challenging program in order to develop core values such as self-esteem, discipline and perseverance. Our

hopes for this program are high, and in order to achieve and maintain our goals we need a steady stream of support from our sponsors and volunteers.

For information about contributing to the NYOJ please contact us at:

jamaicayouthorchestra@yahoo.com or (876) 561 6252

The NYOJ Instructors & Students would like to extend sincere thanks to the Friends of the NYOJ Ottawa for facilitating their Summer Programme.

To see more photos or information from any of the events featured here please visit our Website: www.nyoj.org or Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nationalyouthorchestrajamaica

or subscribe to our Youtube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/NYOJamaica

We would like to thank our corporate sponsors and partners for helping us to realise and maintain the goals of our mission:

Island Outpost

Seprod Facey Group Ltd.

Digicel Foundation NCB Foundation

Supreme Ventures Foundation Ideal Group

PetroCaribe Development Fund CHASE Fund

JSIF (Jamaica Social Investment Fund) US Department of State

Embassy of Spain Russian Embassy

http://www.nyoj.orghttps://www.facebook.com/nationalyouthorchestrajamaicahttp://www.youtube.com/user/NYOJamaica