Espressivo Camp Inside Look

At the beginning of June, the McPherson Area Piano Teachers' League held it's third annual Espressivo Piano Camp. 25 local piano students from 2nd grade through high school came together in the halls of the Wesley Black Fine Arts building to dig into music with some fun sessions on Music History, Theory & Games, Composition and Performance. 

After cancelling our 2020 camp due to the pandemic, we were extra excited to relaunch this year for a new group of piano campers. With a mix of whole camp activities as well as some sessions where students work in smaller groups of their own age and level, this camp provides 

something really special in the way of a large, fun social environment for more musical learning and engagement. We know that a lot of learning to play the piano involves practice on our own, or private or small group lessons, so these piano kids really seem to embrace the idea of getting to grow their learning together in this type of summer camp setting. 

Here are a few highlights from some of our leveled sessions!

Advanced students playing the 'Lord of the Chords' music theory game.

In addition to the regular camp sessions, each year at Espressivo we've invited a special teacher to come and give the students a little more insight into an instrument or musical form. This year we asked Jessica from the McPherson Classical Coaching Academy to come and teach the students a couple Baroque dance forms. Piano students learn to play Baroque music all the time, but may not be as connected to how the music was used in it's day. Our piano campers got to engage and contextualize the Minuet and Polonaise in a fun dance lesson!

Our camp also features two recitals each year. The first is a program performed by the teachers for the campers, with the goal to introduce students to some standard literature at levels they're playing, and inspire them to better appreciate some of the classical pieces they might learn. (Click here to download the list of this year's selections) And to wrap up camp each year, the students perform a recital for family and friends to attend! This is followed with a cookie and lemonade reception with featured displays of some of the Music History and Composition projects students put together during the week. 

It is so fun to be a part of this summer camp each year and to see students have the opportunity to let loose and have some fun with other musically-minded peers, and to dig into their music from some fun, new angles. The growth in confidence and understanding in students who attend piano camp is palpable, and I'm so thrilled we're able to have something of this quality for local students. Be sure to follow Espressivo Piano Camp and the McPherson Area Piano Teachers' League on Facebook to get updates about future events, Espressivo Piano Camp plans, and sign-ups.