Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp nurtures Stockbridge talent
Compiled by Kate Fox
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp spans 1,600 acres within western Michigan’s Manistee National Forest and hosts more than 5,400 students. Each summer, attendees are immersed in music, art, dance, and theater at the camp.
Four Stockbridge area students had the opportunity to attend Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp to immerse themselves in this summer’s 60th anniversary, celebrating the camp’s founder, Fritz Stansell. Here, these young people share about their experiences and the connections they made at Blue Lake as well as where you can expect to see them sharing their musical talents next.
JOHN FOX
Now a sophomore at Stockbridge High School, this was Fox’s first summer attending Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. Primary focus: tuba. Minor focus: woodwinds (saxophone, clarinet, flute). In his free time, he enjoyed playing ping pong.
How did you hear about the camp? “Mrs. Pniewski [Stockbridge Junior/Senior High School Band Director] invited a speaker [from the camp] into class, and we were able to audition if we wanted to.”
Greatest takeaway or highlight: “People there were really cool and performance was really, really fun!”
What advice would you give other students considering attending? “It’s a cool experience to also meet other people interested in band, and you learn a lot about your instrument through tech classes.”
Where will we see you sharing your musical talents next: “I will be performing in both the Stockbridge Junior/Senior High School Marching Band on the sousaphone and on the tuba at the school’s seasonal concerts. I will also be performing on tuba in the Civic Youth Ensembles’ program through the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.”
Anything else you’d like to share about Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp? “It’s more than just a band camp. It has lots of different performing arts from jazz band to dancing.”
JON CLIFTON
Now a sophomore at Kensington Woods, this was Clifton’s third summer attending Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. Primary focus: percussion. Although he didn’t select a minor focus this year, he learned about score analyzing last summer as his minor. In his spare time, he enjoyed hanging out with his friends. Says Clifton: “I spent most of my free time playing a card game that a friend there created.”
How did you hear about the camp? “My school had a thing with my old band teacher (Mr. Cunningham, in 8th grade) where someone from the camp came, and we could audition for them.”
Greatest takeaway or highlight: “Final Sunday, where you do the performance!”
What advice would you give other students considering attending? “Keep in mind that it’s very expensive. After that, don’t be afraid to talk to people. My first summer there, I was really nervous, but after that, I formed connections with other percussionists in my band, my unit, and other people I met there.” [Note: Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp has some scholarships, which Jon confirmed he benefitted from in the time he attended. In his second summer attending the camp, he was awarded “Outstanding Camper” in the band he participated in, which came with additional scholarship money.]
Where will we see you sharing your musical talents next: “The Kensington Woods Musical Program in the High School Concert Band, Choir, and Garage Band.”
Anything else you’d like to share about Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp? “Be prepared for all kinds of weather; bring clothespins and an umbrella because [in my first year there] my music kept flying away. And bring extras of amenities like deodorant!”
BRADLEY ROWE
Now a senior at Stockbridge High School, this was Rowe’s first summer attending Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. Primary focus: trombone. Minor focus: jazz. In his free time, he enjoyed going to Central where the camp store is located to get snacks and drink and enjoyed coordinating with his cabinmates.
How did you hear about the camp? “Heard about it first in 6th grade [ Mrs. Pniewski’s 6th grade band class]. Forgot about it, and then [a person from Blue Lake] came again last year. Gave us an opportunity to audition to get scholarship money. That gave me more motivation to do it.”
Greatest takeaway or highlight: “There were a lot of things. I had a lot of fun with the people around me; all the stuff I learned to bring home to [our school] band; the director I had was very knowledgeable—45 years of experience all over the country and other countries; the professionalism of my band I was in—everyone was very focused.”
What advice would you give other students considering attending? “Go in open-minded. Be prepared to meet new people. Everyone is extremely kind. You get to know different groups of people like your cabinmates, your counselor, your band group.”
Where will we see you sharing your musical talents next: “Leading the Stockbridge Junior/Senior High School Marching Band at halftime at the home football games [in the role of drum major]. I’m also thinking about EMU Honor Band or having a smaller jazz group on the side.”
Anything else you’d like to share about Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp? “You’re very busy the whole time, and you have only 12 days to learn all the songs you perform the last day of camp!”
WYATT COON
Now a senior at Stockbridge High School, this was Coon’s third summer attending Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. Primary focus: alto saxophone. Minor focus: tie-dye (this year and last) and nature science his first summer. In his free time, he enjoyed going to Central Park to get food, hang out with friends, and listen to others practice.
How did you hear about the camp? “They came into my Music class—band room—my 6th grade year, and we could audition if we wanted.”
Greatest takeaway or highlight: “Just getting better at reading rhythms and higher note fingerings on my instrument.”
What advice would you give other students considering attending? “Definitely go! It’s a lot of work but worth it! You get advice from other musicians—older and younger. You get to listen to great concerts, orchestra, band, choir, jazz band, and make life-lasting friendships!”
Where will we see you sharing your musical talents next: “Home football games, basketball games, Homecoming parade, Munith Halloween parade.”
Anything else you’d like to share about Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp? “Get prepared to sleep in a small cabin with tons of other people!”
After reviewing what each of the Stockbridge students had to share about their Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp experience, many themes were apparent: high quality musical direction, professionalism, fun, and time spent building lasting relationships centered around shared musical pursuits, not to mention other free-time interests. Yet another common thread in what each of these young people shared is how their music educators—Mrs. Pniewski and Mr. Cunningham—played a key role in introducing them to learning experiences far beyond their traditional school buildings. Much gratitude to the educators, family, friends, and others who supported and inspired these students in pursuing their musical interests.
Kate Fox is a school social worker at Heritage School and a proud band parent to two children in the SCS district. She has much gratitude for all educators in the SCS district—fine arts and otherwise!
