Camp Counselors: We are accepting applications!

Email us for a counselor application if you are a responsible, active 12 to 18 year old interested in volunteering for the service hours and responsibilities described below. 

JULY 9-13th

AUGUST 6-10th 

with a meeting for preparation the Friday before each week

RCMA offers an outstanding camp for children ages 4-14 for two weeks (you are welcome to help with either or both weeks) on the beautiful campus of the Catlin Gabel School. Counselors help run the camp by assisting the students and faculty members throughout the week.

Can you handle these awesome dudes?

Responsibilities & Opportunities for our Counselors

Our active counselors should be prepared to help students find their classes, keep track of their instruments and supplies, re-heat lunches and in general enjoy their day at camp. Students spend a portion of each day playing outdoors and counselors arrange fun games and team activities to best entertain their students.

They are responsible for knowing where their assigned campers are at all times, and for helping younger children to treat each other, their instruments, and the campus with respect. Counselors are expected to encourage campers in their musical interests and are invited to participate alongside campers in classes when possible.

Younger campers (ages 4-6) will need less intense times throughout the day and their counselors should help them find quiet activities especially in the afternoon.

Counselors will play a big role in helping direct the camp recital on Friday. They help students line up for their performances, move chairs and stands on stage, and assist any students who may be feeling shy. In past years, counselors have presented performances and skits in the relaxed time after the recital on Friday to the delight of both students and faculty members.

Benefits of Serving as a Camp Counselor

o   Exposure to & observation of professional faculty members teaching young music students, and the opportunity to participate whenever logistically possible. (Let us know if there is a class you would like to take in particular!)

o   A week on the beautiful Catlin Gabel campus with time to enjoy the many outdoor play spaces.

o   A written recommendation for each counselor including the number of volunteer service hours completed and a specific description of their contribution to our fine arts camp.

o   The satisfaction of assisting with and encouraging the development of younger music & art students.

We have been grateful to have several outstanding counselors return year after year to help with and learn from our camp. We would love to have you join us.

MYS Concert June 10th

The Metropolitan Youth Symphony will have its season finale concert on Sunday, June 10th at 7pm at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland. Not only is this a wonderful concert for students and families to attend, but we are proud to say we have students involved in this wonderful organization.
Click here for more information.

 Our May 2012 Newsletter is out! It contains information about the upcoming recitals.
PAES in Gresham on Wednesday, May 30th
At our West side Sylvan location on Thursday June 7th
And at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center ballroom on Saturday June 9th at 11am.

We also have information about our summer lesson schedule and our two weeks of summer camp at the Catlin Gabel School July 9-13 and August 6-10.

Current students should also receive this newsletter by snail-mail, so please do let us know if you don't see a hard copy in your mailbox.

As always, we'd love to answer any questions you might have. 503.308.8863 or rosecitymusicacademy@gmail.com .

Musically yours!
-Dr. Miriam English Ward

Got Empathy?

Love to see good studies confirming yet more benefits of music education!
Check out this article, it affirms that musical young people build more empathy for others.

Summer Camp is Live!

We're offering two weeks this year at the Catlin Gabel School.
July 9-13
August 6-10

9-4 pm Full Day $350
9-1 pm Half Day $275
1-4 pm Half Day $275

Guitar Violin Viola Cello Voice Piano

Arts, outdoor play on the beautiful Catlin Gabel campus, Suzuki groups, orchestra, chamber music, and more!

Great for beginners through advanced intermediate students ages 4-14.
Add on a second instrument for just $100.

All prices listed are per week.

Click here to view or print the application or we'd be happy to mail you one if you prefer.

503.308.8863 rosecitymusicacademy@gmail.com

Off and running!

My son Toby started taking piano lessons a few months ago. He's 6 years old and we have seen him start to really show an interest in music this year. We'll probably start Isaac with violin any day now and then I'll have two guinea pigs. Despite being the younger brother, Isaac's a very persistent 3 (almost 4) year old and reminds us often that he has wanted to start lessons "since he was a little boy".

I have been looking forward to starting them for some very selfish reasons. As a teacher, a large part of my job is helping parents and students find ways to make practice a habit at home. What better way to improve my teaching than to experience the daily task first-hand?

In my studio I've seen most families have a honeymoon period with their new instrument, lasting anywhere between 6 to 18 months. With Toby, we are definitely in the honeymoon period. He loves practicing so far. His challenges involve focusing on the task in front of him. He is only good for maybe 20 minutes in a row, so I've been trying to fit one or two of those in a day rather than trying to force him to sit longer. This helps us both keep it productive & engaging.

Through Toby, I've been confirming my belief that more practice sessions per week begets more enjoyment of the instrument. This in turn makes him more likely to practice. Kind of a no-brainer, but still it's nice to have your own kids confirm your methods. The more interesting revelation, though, is that I've also confirmed that this is an impossible concept to transmit to him by anything but his own direct experience. In other words, telling him over and over that he'll like it more the more he puts in regular practice time will not actually help him "get it". We do use a written practice log and lots of stickers. We choose rewards together, and I try to sprinkle them throughout the practice rather than having them be a reward for completing it. We have already had him "perform" several songs for friends, grandparents and babysitters and he is particularly proud when they affirm all his hard work. We've looked for ways to show him other children playing the instrument either online or in person.

One small note about that practice log. At this point, it's at least as much for me as it is for him. If I don't have it in my schedule, in writing, it is very easy for all those little interruptions that make up life to put it right out of my mind.

Toby is still at the very beginning of his studies but he doesn't really register that fact. He looks at piano like all of the subjects he's working on. His job is to focus and improve. My job is to help him learn how to do that job.