Last year's camp was an outstanding success. The
students put in a great effort and were rewarded with one of the best Concerts I
have attended. Many thanks to all those that contributed so ably to this
fantastic result. Many thanks to all the Parents, Relatives and Friends that
attended the concert. Your children enjoy your support. We at SA Music Camp
enjoy your support also.
Dates for Music Camp for 2011 are Monday
11th July 2011 to Friday 15th July 2011.
Keep these dates free.
The South Australian Music Camp Association Inc. was formed in 1962
to provide young instrumentalists with an opportunity to play in orchestras and
has operated every year since then. Music Camp has for a long
time become an integral part of the lives of young South Australian
musicians. It is interesting to note that campers from an earlier
generation often keep in touch with the movement, either as proud parents of
keen young campers, or sometimes as tutors and conductors.
The value of State Music Camp is recognised by placing young players in a
stimulating environment where they tackle and master challenging and enjoyable
repertoire, and succeed in presenting an exciting final concert to parents and
friends. What is achieved in one week is nothing short of
miraculous. Campers are tutored by experienced professional musicians and
conductors who are chosen for their empathy with young performers. The
success of State Music Camp is clearly evident by
the number of well-established performers and teachers in our community who
acknowledge the valuable part that Music Camp, State and National, has played in
their own musical lives.
The State Music Camp is a non-profit organization which offers students the opportunity to strive
for excellence in Music by participation in one of the five ensembles during the camp.
How It All Began
A fortuitous meeting between John Bishop, Dr Percy Jones and newly-arrived
American pianist and music educator, Ruth Alexander, at Scotch College in
Melbourne in 1943, saw the seeds of friendship sown. Throughout the
ensuing years Ruth Alexander fired the imagination of John Bishop with her
descriptions of American summer music camps. John Bishop travelled in the
USA, on the continent and in Great Britain, and brought back a burning ambition
to instigate such musical camps in Australia.
The music camp movement was founded in 1947 in Melbourne but the first ever
Australian Music Camp was held at Point Lonsdale, Victoria, in the summer of
1948 under the auspices of the National Fitness Council and the Victorian School
Music Association. The experiment was highly successful and although the
idea grew from similar activities overseas, the Australian movement developed
its own individual identity.
Immediately following the first Australian Music Camp in 1948, John Bishop
left Victoria to take up a new appointment at the University of Adelaide.
His musical achievements in South Australia are distinguished and many, but for
us, one of the most important was the establishment of the May Music Camp in
1962 (as it was called until the school year changed to four terms instead of
three) which transformed into the SA State Music Camp, and as they say, the rest
is history .......
Richard Smith Memorial Scholarship
Richard Smith was an exceptional percussionist as both teacher and performer,
who served Music Camp faithfully for many years until his death at the age of 80
in 1993. A scholarship dedicated to his memory was instituted by the State
Music Committee in 1995. Each year a percussion student is chosen for the
award in recognition of their contribution to the Camp.
Our Mission
Is to equip new to advanced musicians by providing them with the
opportunity for interaction with other musicians from all over South
Australia and experience playing in a large orchestra and band.
Contact Information
For application to be a part of the music camp, please contact Josie
Hawkes
Electronic mail
Josie Hawkes, Camp Administrator:
samcainc@iinet.net.au
General Information:
Secretary
Webmaster:
Webmaster
