The flute section of the camp’s cadet band. Photo by Bonnie Hobbs.
Lawrence Walker retired in 2012 after being Franklin Middle School’s band director for 28 years. But each summer, he returns to direct its Band and Orchestra Camp.
Students attend four hours a day and receive instruction from a group of school band and orchestra directors, private teachers, freelance musicians and retired military-band members. Joining them this year were a college professor and two composers.
“The directors here have some of the finest bands and orchestras around,” said Walker. “They do assessments and know what it is to take a band or orchestra to the next level. They love to teach and love to make a difference in the skill these kids bring to the camp.”
And Walker leads these 52 instructors and all the students because, he said, “I enjoy kids and I love music, Franklin and this community. I also love to see the embellishment of kids’ skills and the strong musicianship from the teachers because they know how to tap into hidden talents. And I’m excited about seeing kids come back here, year after year, and embrace something they enjoy.”
“They may not be as academically strong in school as other kids; but here, they can be successful,” he continued. “And for kids with challenges, it builds their self-esteem because — when they play together — you don’t hear individual weaknesses; you hear the strength of the group.”
As a parent, himself, said Walker, “I know what it means to put your children in a situation where they can have dominion over interpreting music. And the kids here, and their directors, have an opportunity to develop the composers’ intentions.”
When he started the camp, three decades ago, there were just 80 students — 50, band, and 30, orchestra, plus four teachers — and he was one of them. This year, 625 students attended.
“I never thought it would grow into something so large and so successful that it’s drawn kids from all over the D.C. Metropolitan area, plus a few from other states and countries,” said Walker. “Our teachers promote the camp in their own schools, and kids tell other kids.”
For elementary-school students, the camp is equivalent to two years of music instruction. That’s because they only have music classes 20 days a year, since they’re just once a week and holidays and breaks intrude. By comparison, the camp runs 17 days with four classes daily.
“Orchestra students also did chamber music previously; and this year, we added it for the band kids,” said Walker. “It’s been so wonderful because it’s a smaller ensemble, and quartets and quintets can play different parts with no conductor. One of the students within that group starts the rehearsal, and they have to keep the tempo and the music together. It’s gone over very well.”
The camp also received a special treat, this year. “A dear, composer friend of mine, Chris Sharp, wrote a piece called ‘Distant Trains’ for the symphonic band,” said Walker. “We commissioned him to write it, and he dedicated it to this camp. Our name will be written at the top of this music, and people throughout the world will see it whenever they play this song.”
Sharp will eventually direct it on a professional stage but, meanwhile, he came to camp this summer as a symphonic band director. “He writes music for Disney and is a music professor at Lynchburg University,” said Walker. “Several of the directors at camp have played his music, so we were just excited and blessed to have him here.”
Delighted with how well this year’s camp went, Walker said, “I love seeing kids progress and parents giving them this opportunity to grow musically. They also meet other kids who have the same interest in music development and improving their skills for the next school year.”