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| | Music/Activity
Camp 2002
A unique spirit of unity
marked a very busy and successful week in Lisnaskea in July.
Small numbers created a cosy dynamic which not only provided a quality
experience for Williams campers but created a caring and family atmosphere for
all who were part of the camp.
The goals and objectives targeted in advance were met through
participation in a range of musical activities from individual tuition on piano,
voice, percussion, and guitar to group involvement in music theatre, a quiz,
a Ceili/ Irish night, Fantasy/Stars in your Eyes, and a teacher/cara
performance. There was greater
emphasis on shared performance this year to eliminate the stress which
individual formal performance created last year. A wide spectrum of music genres
was used including popular, classical, ballad, Irish, folk, light opera, ragtime
and jazz.
Other activities organised by the Share Centre
Volunteers such as Banana Boating, Canoeing, Archery, Pottery, T-shirt printing,
and cruising on the lake provided further opportunities for increased
participation and interaction which profiled the quality camp experience.
Highlights in my memory are as follows:
 | The wonderful musical skill and talent of two new
campers this year, Harm Petter from Holland and Brian Ahern from Cork. Who
can forget their many contributions on drums, guitar, keyboard and voice,
they were inspirational to all. |
| The
artistic skills of Robert from Cork added a new creative dimension to the
camp. |
| The
commitment of campers to their individual tuition and to the demands that
the music theatre presentation of “Paint Your Wagon” made on their
energy levels was admirable. |
| The
developing confidence of Alan, Patricia, Fiona and Karen in all activities
was a joy to watch. |
| The
steely determination of Sighile to push herself to the optimum contribution
encouraged all to test the limits. |
| The
commitment and generosity of spirit of the caras toward their assigned
camper was sincere and integral to the success of the week’s activities. |
| The
avid participation in the fantasy/dress up night which provided us with
strange-looking ladies, one with yashmak from Azerbaijan and another
strangely pregnant with towel, and an out of control cowgirl who insisted on
killing all! A glittering blonde in black and a strange pair of toothbrushes
who teamed up with a weird man in skirt in an animated tall tale about pigs,
all added to the fun. |
| The
appearance of two sets of bride and groom –Judith and Robert singing
“I’m getting married in the morning” and Brian & Fiona singing
“Whoop-ti-Ay” |
| The
fun of ragtime piano duet with Sandra & John on drums. |
| Sandra
singing “as gaeilge” with the help of the phonetic songwords provided by
Mark and Dearbhla. |
| The
duet between mother on piano and son on guitar, Jacomien & Harm was the
epitome of the camp ideal of sharing music. |
| Open-house
generosity of Nuala always there for all with extra food, brown bread,
cherry cake, sandwiches, cocktail sausages, fried eggs!
Is there no end to this woman’s spirit.
I hope life is generous to you in the future in return. |
| The
quiet unassuming presence of the Moylan family whose involvement in all
activities contributes so much to the camp spirit. |
| The
fear engendered by the appearance of “The Boss” with her clipboard!
Ann’s ability to deal with all eventualities provides a smooth and
efficient administration that belies
the work I know must go into planning the camp. The assistance of her family
in this is of significant benefit to all who participate. |
Marie Power, MA,
LRSM,
Camp Musical Director
Williams Unlimited
No. 2 – July 2002
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Williams Syndrome Association of Ireland 
