Kids get a lesson in boomwhackers, euphoniums and glockenspiels at Kitchener band camp

Bandology is back! CTV’s Alexandra Holyk shows us how kids are flexing their musical skills at summer band camp.

Bandology has kicked off their summer camp series in Kitchener.

All week long, kids will learn to play, perform and create their own songs.

The event is run by Bandology, a not-for-profit organization focused on music education and development.

“We have kids from Grade 1 to Grade 12,” explained executive director Lisa Michaels. “The younger kids do a whole variety of music activities.”

“You can play all the instruments you want,” said camper Athena Antonoff-Carter.

While the younger participants learn the basics, teens can form a band.

“They’re bringing the instrument,” Michaels said. “They’ve played this past year at school. But the little kids, they can come in with no experience whatsoever.”

Felix Fang is one of the returning participants. The 9-year-old’s instrument of choice is the euphonium.

“It’s like a tuba, but a bit smaller,” he explained.

The euphonium is just one of the unique instruments played by campers.

Rafaela Deabreu-Silva typically plays the piano, but this time she decided to try the glockenspiel.

“It’s really similar because they’re both keys,” she explained. “So, you’re hitting the keys.”

At the end of the week, a concert is held to show off what the kids have learned.

“We’ll have a couple of different types of performances,” Michaels said. “Our teenage band is working on four or five different pieces. In fact, one of them is a brand new composition.”

The program has gotten rave reviews from participants, both old and new.

“It’s really fun and you should really come,” urged Fang.

“Go for it,” added Deabreu-Silva. “Just be prepared to play a lot of music.”

Bandology brings their summer camp symphony to Halton Region next week, then to Guelph for the last week of July.