Bandology summer camp coming to Kitchener-Waterloo this summer

The GTA's first band camp is coming to Kitchener-Waterloo this summer.

Bandology's summer Band Camp programs provide opportunities for young musicians to play, and connects them with performance opportunities both in their community and online. All students from Grades 1-12 are welcome — whether or not they play music. 

“For those who want a fun music experience without being part of the band, our Music Camp stream has tons of fun music activities, games and learning, with special emphasis on percussion, and the opportunity to create your own small ensembles. There’s also lots of fun with games, camp projects and team-building activities,” their website says. 

But for those who do, the camp is led by “some of the best conductors, clinicians and music teachers in Southern Ontario. Teenage campers at Band Camp enjoy using top-notch music facilities to participate in warm-ups and chorales, break-out into sectionals and small groups, and rehearse as a full concert band.”

Acclaimed musician, conductor and educator, Dorothy Vreeswyk-Kidd, will serve as Music Director for Band Camp Grand River, and will lead curriculum-based camps for students in Grades 1-12, which will run from July 18-22.

Vreeswyk-Kidd completed her Honours Bachelor of Music degree at Wilfrid Laurier University, and is currently the music teacher at John F. Ross Collegiate Vocational Institute in Guelph. She sits as chair of the board for the Suzuki String School of Guelph and has served as the Musical Director of the Cambridge Concert Band since 2018. 

Ryan Meeboer has also been brought on as Music Director for Band Camp Oakville, which will run July 11-15.

“We are honoured and excited to have both Ryan and Dorothy join the Bandology team this summer,” says Lisa Michaels, co-founder and Executive Director of Bandology. “Since this is our first year back doing full-on wind band at camp, something students have been missing for the past couple of years, we wanted to work with some of the best. We can’t wait to see what they both bring to camp.” 

With the current health regulations, wind instruments and concert band rehersals are allowed, which will give kids an opportunity to play together once again. 

 Registration is now open for kids in Grades 1-12. There are options for kids with extensive music experience and those with no experience at all.