Thrive City String Boot Camp has become an annual opportunity thanks to the support of the Delta Community Music School and individuals and businesses in the community.
Thrive City, with its focus on string instruments, has two parts. One is its Ladner-based junior camp, which takes place at the music school's heritage home on Arthur Drive, July 27 to 31. The second part, a senior camp by audition only, is an overnight intensive musical technique study at Camp Luther on Hatzic Lake, Aug. 4 to 14.
Now in its sixth year, the senior camp is also an outreach program that draws young musicians from throughout the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. Thrive City's founder, John Littlejohn, who teaches violin at the Delta Community Music School, grew up in Michigan, and is quick to credit music for "saving his life."
This belief is what fuels his passion for the camps, and also what has pushed him to call for a significant change this year: tuition is free. This has more than halved the cost of the camp, and young people who might find money a barrier, can now take part.
This year, for the first time, the senior camp is full, with a waitlist.
Registration for Thrive City Junior Boot Camp is open until May 1. Faculty for the camps include Alex and Anthony Cheung, who along with Littlejohn, create the trio Invictus.
Once again joining Thrive City is Herbert Greenberg, a member of the violin faculty at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, Maryland. Many of his former students occupy concertmaster and principal positions in major symphony orchestras throughout the world.
Recently, a fundraiser was held at, and supported by, Petra's by L'Aromas. was a huge The evening was a huge success with music by Invictus, music school director Stephen Robb, other faculty and a student.
A concert of Thrive City String camper-musicians and faculty will be held at Ladner's All Saints Anglican Church on Aug. 18. The concert is free, although donations are appreciated.
Donations for the senior camp are welcomed, and information can be found at http://thrivecitymusic.com/blog/donations/. For information on junior camp registration, see www.dcms.ca.
