Two need-based scholarships, one for $300 from the Swift Fund and one for $150, will be offered for camp. Inquire for particulars.
A unique camp for those who love playing
music and studying the natural world.
Just east of Yosemite National Park in the Great Basin and the majestic Sierra Nevada.
This year one session:
June 22-28, 2008
We still have room.
The Program
Mornings will be devoted to studying the ecology and natural history of
the Mono Basin and the surrounding Sierra Nevada. Included in the week's
activities may be horseback riding, hiking in the Sierra, climbing into a
volcano, a talk with a local archeologist and swimming in a
hot spring; we will discuss plant and animal adaptations to a desert climate,
animal food habits and identification of local birds and animals.
In the afternoons, students will play their instruments in coached
chamber groups, take private lessons, and have classes on improvisation,
performance issues, and music listening. Nights will be occupied with
star gazing, jam sessions, a presentation by Native American basket weaver Lucy Parker,
and a nature slide show. At the end of the week, a concert will be
held at the historic Mono Inn
Location and Housing
Camp will be based at the Mono Basin home of Cole and Priscilla Hawkins
(powered by solar energy). Sleeping arrangements will be bunk beds
(separate rooms for girls and boys) with a shared bathroom. All bedding
will be provided except towels and wash cloths. Campers will be expected to participate in daily
maintenance of the camp. Home cooked meals, prepared by Linda Dore, will be provided using
fresh fruits and vegetables, organically grown.
Who can attend?
This year we are accepting instrumentalists from 12-18 years of age who play at an
intermediate or advanced level. Our criteria include 1. campers must be good
sight readers 2. campers must have good counting skills and 3. campers
should have had at least 2 years of private lessons. Since the camp is
limited to 8 campers we are asking that each applicant play an audition in
person or by tape. Auditions should include sight reading, 3 minutes of a prepared solo, and 3 octaves
of C or D Major scale. Applicants will be notified of acceptance within two
weeks of the audition. The application fee will be returned if the applicant is not accepted.
Travel
Arrangements for the trip to camp will be made after confirmation.
Options are: carpooling, train, plane to Reno, or traveling with your family,
who may wish to vacation in the area while you are attending camp. Possible
accommodations will be suggested.
Campers should arrive between 3 and 5 pm on Sunday. Camp will end after the concert at 5pm Saturday. The house is on the south side of Hwy 167 about 9.5 miles east of Hwy 395 (north of Lee Vining, CA).
Cost is $600 which covers all meals and activities (except a $40 horseback riding fee.) Two scholarships are available, $300 from the Swift Fund and $150 from the Mono Lake Music and Ecology Camp, contact us for details and applications. Deadline for applications is May 1. To recieve an early-bird discount of $25 apply by April 18.
To learn more about the Swift Fund, click here
The Swift Fund for the Arts
Student comments from previous camps:
"This week has been so memorable. I enjoyed every minute of this great experience."
"I never imagined it would be such a great camp."
"I hope I can have many more experiences up here in years to come."
"Cole's humor and knowledge brightened my day's excursions."
"Lots of social activities helped us to get to know each other."
"It was neat learning about different composers."
"The food was excellent."
"Your camp was an inspiration ... my daughter has been listening to classical music all morning." -from a mother after camp
"The private lessons were really helpful because I got a lot of feedback, and helpful information. I tought the coaching was really helpful because I learned how to work with others."
"The hikes were awesome. We were lucky to have Cole to show us around."
"The relaxed atmosphere was nice, especially the scenery."
"Its great that we got no junk food for a week and we snacked on fruit."
Priscilla and Cole:
Application:
Download Application
To reserve a space, please send the following information and a $100
deposit: Name, Age, Address, Instrument, How many year's played,
e-mail address, Parents home phone number, Parents work phone number to:
Priscilla Hawkins
3612 Washoe St.
Davis, CA 95618
(530) 753-1927
phawkins@dcn.org
Deadline postmark May 31, 2008
For more information about the area visit these websites:
The Mono Lake Committee
Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area (GROP)
Eastern Sierra Audubon Society
Bristlecone Chapter, California Native Plant Society
About this years guest instructor:
Shanda Lowery-Sachs (viola and violin):
Born in California, Shanda (Shanda's picture)
began violin at age 5 and piano at 8. She continued musical
studies at the Interlochen Arts Academy and received her B.A. in Music from the U. of Puget Sound where
she studied viola. She attended the U. of Maryland and Rice University earning a Master of Music Performance.
She was Assistant Principal Viola in the Virginia Symphony and 3rd chair in the Rochester Philharmonic.
For 2 years she performed in a string quartet through Young Audiences of Virginia. Currently Ms Lowery-Sachs is a
member of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and she teaches private violin and viola lessons.
Her teachers include Martha Katz and Roberto Diaz.
About Cole and Priscilla:
Hi, I'm Cole Hawkins, a California native. I grew up in Southern California, farmed citrus and olives in the Central Valley for 20 years and have degrees in history and biology. In 1998 I received a PhD in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from Texas A&M. I am currently teaching Biology classes at Solano Community College and Woodland Community College. I have been regular visitor to the Mono Basin since 1978. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and love for this area with all.
Priscilla has studied cello since childhood and graduated from the University of Michigan Music School. She has served as principal cellist of the Detroit Womenıs Symphony, Bakersfield Symphony and the Tulare County Symphony. She holds a California Teaching Credential and has taught cello and chamber music privately and in the schools for 30 years and was a member of the interdisciplinary story telling group Voice of the Wood for 16 years. Priscilla is currently Sacramento Section President of The American String Teacherıs Association. In her continuing quest for new musical ideas, she is studying alternative cello music and techniques. Her cello teachers include Arlene Seaman, Oliver Edel, Jeff Solow and Ron Leonard.
For further information, contact Priscilla:
phawkins@dcn.org
PICTURES FROM PREVIOUS YEARS:
Three pics from the canoe trip on Mono Lake:
The adventure begins
View from a canoe
Tufa
The horseback trip:
Saddle up
Girls on horseback
The whole gang at Cooney Lake
The Music:
Duet in the livingroom
Cello duet on the porch
Talking about music
Those who play............. also practice.
Yes, I am practicing
Music lesson
Another duet in the livingroom
The barbecue:
The big dance
The soul of a barbecue
Roast that marshmallow
This marshmallow's toast
The hike:
By the trail
After lunch on the hike
After the hike
Miscellaneous photos:
Headed back from Lake Gardisky, Saturday morning
Above the treeline, Saturday morning
Campers have visited Hot Creek
Hanging out in the kitchen
We saw wildflowers
Music and ecology
Almost sunset
Priscilla is currently working on a CD and hopes to have it released this year.
Click here to see Cole and Priscilla's list of Links
This site will be updated on a regular basis. (5-10-08)
