Learning to perform music is something many kids enjoy, especially when the selections are from Disney movies like “The Lion King.” But according to Summit Choral Society executive artistic director Shara Cocchiola, introducing children to the art of music — a main goal of the society’s Summer Music camps — can do more than create a playful environment.
“Music uses both sides of the brain, whether you’re playing an instrument or whether you’re singing a song and reading the notes,” Cocchiola says. “They’re actually very, very healthy, positive experiences in that way, neurologically, for the developing mind.”
The society welcomes those entering kindergarten to those exiting high school for its annual camp, which takes place July 7 to 10 this year. At Summit Choral Society’s physical space, within Summit Artspace, campers learn to play instruments such as drums, sing songs, make costumes, create choreography and more. Activities such as body movement and vocal training exercises act as building blocks. The camp concludes with a themed, musical-style production that features existing songs, unique choreography and original dialogue.
“The biggest thing that I think that kids take away from music … is stage presence and how to be comfortable in front of other people,” says Cocchiola.
For last year’s camp, a program with songs from Disney’s “The Lion King,” participants learned about music from countries in Africa, created masks out of paper plates and tie-dyed fabric.
“It’s important that you understand what you’re singing, where the music is coming from,” says Cocchiola. “It just lends that one more step to making a good performance.”
This year’s camp theme, “Snow in Summer,” is centered around Disney’s “Frozen.” On a typical day, which runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., campers can paint or draw, participate in vocal explorations, learn to harmonize, play percussion and compose music — among other activities. Parents are invited to see the final production.
“Every year we get kids … they’ve never done anything musical before. They’ve never done anything on the stage before,” she says. “By the end of the camp, they’re just swinging with the rest of them. They just open up, and they’re part of the group.”
140 E. Market St., Akron, 330-434-7464, summitchoralsociety.org
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Rachel Lucia Photography
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Rachel Lucia Photography
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Rachel Lucia Photography
