MANASSAS, Va. — For many students, making the transition to high school extra curricular activities can be difficult, and this sparked the need for a summer band camp program to help students in Manassas.
Started by the M&M Band Boosters at the end of the past school year, a group of teachers and students at Mayfield intermediate and Metz elementary schools in Manassas came together to create a summer bad camp program, to help students prepare for joining the Osbourn HS Band this Fall.
During the 5-day free camp, students from 6 to 12 grade had the opportunity to learn a new song each day, according to Jhenny Michalek, a parent whose daughter participated in the program.
In order to make the program a success, several teachers and parents dedicated their time to the camp. “Several teachers were involved. Mr. Wilfinger and Mr. Stevens both directed and played instruments during the concert. Susan Harris and David Battle played during the concert and helped students during practice. We also had one parent join the concert with her instrument,” Michalek said.
The camp culminated in a Manassas City Symposium on July 28 at the Harris Pavilion, where the students had the opportunity to perform their work in a concert.
With the camp being such a success, there are plans to continue the program next summer.
“Our goal is to open the symposium next year to the students and any parents or family members that would like to play with their student so that it will grow as a community event,” Michalek said.
