Odessa Opera Theater Hosts Nearly 1,000 Orphans from Moloda Gvardia Camp

The magnificent Opera Theater in Odessa, Ukraine, hosted an historic concert on June 15, 2008.  The newly rennovated Opera Theater, which re-opened last October, was the site of a concert for 960 social children from the nearby children's center, Moloda Gvardia.  The children, who came from every region of Ukraine, were sponsored by the Ministry of Youth, Family, and Sport, and Minister Yuriy Pavlienko.  Music Camp International collaborated with Pryyateli Ditey in bringing the concert to Odessa Region.  Special greetings were read from President Yushenko, the First Lady and Ukraine 3000, as well as the Odessa Region Governor's Office, and the Odessa City Mayor's Office, who made the arrangements for the Opera Theater and orchestra.  A motorcade of 23 buses was escorted by Odessa police as the children were transported to the theater.  The stage only held 540 children.  The other 420 occupied the partierre.  The children sang to a full house.  As one dignitary said, "The music of these children, and the spirit of today will live in this Opera Theater forever!"

Music Camp International Sets Ukrainian Book of Records at Artek

The International Children's Center at Artek, on the Crimean Peninsua set a new record for Ukraine and Music Camp International.  On May 8, 830 children sang a concert at the Fire Square overlooking the beautiful Black Sea.  The theme of the concert was "Children for Peace."  The Orchestra of Chamber Musical Theater of Simferopol accompanied the children.  And international team of teachers from the United States, Romania, and Ukraine taught the instrument classes.  The camp was divided into two sections so that all children could participate in the classes.  The first seven days was Music Camp in Amber Camp.  The second seven days was Music Camp in Marscoi Camp.  The children of both camps came together to present this historic concert which gave special recognition to Victory Day and Ukrainian veterans.

Kiev Christmas Camp Holds Concert at House of Organ Music

December 28, 2007-January 7, 2008  Music Camp International held its annual Christmas Camp, with its concert on Orthodox Christmas Day, January 7.  The beautiful Polish Cathedral, Dom Organi Muziki, was the site of the concert.  The magnificent acoustics made the children's voices sound like angels.  The smiles on their faces made them look like angels.  The magnificent carols of Christmas enraptured both the performers and the audience in magical moments of music.

July 15-21, 2007 Music Camp Goes to Sibiu, Romania, the Cultural Capital of Europe for 2007

The third week of July, Music Camp became part of the summer festivities in Sibiu, Romania, the Cultural Capital of Europe. Although the heat was intense, the children worked hard and performed for a standing-room-only crowd at the Catholic Cathedral in the ancient large piazza. As has always been the experience for a city's first Music Camp perfomance--no one could believe how much the children learned in five days. Eight songs--three languages--and instruments--all performed well in one of the most beautiful historical churches of this medieval city. Music Camp went to Sibiu in response to an invitation from the Inspector of the Ministry of Education. Principal players from the Sibiu Philharmonic accompanied the children. Music Camp International has been invited to return again next summer.

July 8-14, 2007 Music Camp returned to Brasov for the third year

Music Camp International is becoming an eagerly anticipated annual event in Brasov, Romania, where it returned for the third straight summer. In addition to the regular classes and the outstanding concert at Aula Universitati, there were additional rehearsals for the children who have been selected to come on the first Music Camp International Choir tour to the United States. The musical motivation that has kept so many children involved in music throughout the year, plus the excitement of so many new children, made this the best Music Camp yet in Brasov!

June 3-9, 2007 Annual Kiev Summer Camp has Concert at DZZ

The DZZ, or National House of Recordings, was the concert location for this year's annual June Music Camp in Kiev, Ukraine. This year's concert was accompanied by the principal players of the National Radio Orchestra of Kiev. This is the first summer Music Camp offered a class in handbells. These beautiful handbells were donated to the Music Camp International for the children of Ukraine by the Schulmerich Bell Company in Pennsylvania. The combined instruments of recorder, guitar, Orff instruments, violin, handchimes, and handbells, played an arrangement of Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by J.S. Bach.

April 22-27 Artek Music Camp performs for Ukrainian First Lady

Music Camp International was invited to hold its first ever Music Camp at Artek, located on the Crimean Peninsula, on the Black Sea. Artek is owned by the Ukrainian government, and is one of the largest childrens and youth camp facilities in the world. The final concert was performed for First Lady, Mrs. Katerina Yushenko, and many dignitaries who were attending a pedagogical conference, including the head of UNICEF. The concert was filmed for television, and aired on June 1, 2007, which is Children's Day--a national holiday in Ukraine.

April 8-14, 2007 2nd Spring Camp in Cluj fills the Cathedral

Music Camp International returned to Cluj, Romania for its second Spring camp. Nokia, whose Eastern European headquarters are located in Cluj, partnered with Music Camp International to provide this outstanding opportunity for the children in this major Romanian city. This year the concert was held in the Reformed cathedral in the old city. The excellent acoustics make this a frequent concert site for many performing groups. The cathedral was filled to capacity--with not even standing room available by the time the children began their concert.

January 6, 2007; Kiev, Ukraine--CHRISTMAS CAMP PERFORMS TO PACKED OPERA HOUSE

A choir of 150 children sang to a packed house at the National Opera Theater on Orthodox Christmas Eve, January 6, 2007. Music Camp International's third Christmas Camp brought rave reviews from local newspapers and national television. The evening brought several new features to this family celebration.

A bell ensemble of ten students performed along with other children playing violins and handchimes. The beautiful three octave set of English handbells was a gift to Music Camp International and the children of Ukraine from the Schulmerich Company of Sellersville, PA--manufacturer of the bells.

Members of the National Ballet along with students from the National Academy portrayed the text of Handel's Messiah while the children sang this magnificent music.

The audience had an opportunity to participate also. They first sang a familiar Ukrainian carol, and then joined to sing the story of Christmas Eve--For Unto Us a Child Is Born. Connie Fortunato, founder and conductor, promised them, "Plan now to be with us for Christmas Eve 2008 and we will again sing the beautiful music of the season!"