Another busy, slightly chaotic and stressful day at our music camp. The classes and programme is incredible well-designed – it’s clear a lot of thought and effort has been put into it. But the timetabling is complex and slightly confusing, and perhaps it is more stressful than it is meant to be for ‘Type A’ parents.

One teacher said that it’s sometimes disturbing to hear parents tell things to the children that the teachers didn’t say in class, e.g. “You HAVE to learn this part by tomorrow”. Instead, I’ve heard the teachers tell the children to relax, and mime the bowing if they don’t know the notes. A really great attitude to make music / instrument playing, and the camp enjoyable. But perhaps less suited to achievement-oriented parents.

And I think the parents or teachers felt some pressure too, because apparently a number of last minute teaching videos were created for the kids / parents “on request”. Big Boy O also we had a 9pm rehearsal for violist groups, and another one after lunch tomorrow. I was worried it would be complete chaos, but the performance of ‘Jailhouse Rock’ actually came together quite well. Not bad at all for violinists who may never have touched a viola or read alto clef before this camp (like Big Boy O)! Albeit there are some more experienced violists, including teachers who supplement the orchestra!

Having two pretty “free range” kids with strong opinions of their own, including one highly independent one, and some work deliverables and commitments (despite taking time off), meant that I have spikes of stressful moments during the day, despite my best efforts to be more ‘Hakuna Matata’.

But all in all, it’s good fun. Great for the musically inclined, and has enough social and ancillary activities to make it all round good fun too. Some kids seem to come year after year. And the boys seem keen to return so far.