Music Camp Recap 2025!

For many, the month of August symbolizes the start of another school year. However, for Arcadia Orchestra students, it marks the start of Music Camp, and what better way to end the summer than with a fun week full of games, music, and meeting new people? This year, Music Camp was held from Aug. 4 to 8 and featured a variety of engaging activities and even a clinical workshop with Richard Meyer! Let’s recap to see how the musicians spent this year’s Music Camp.

As students poured into the bustling orchestra room on day one, they filed into their respective cabin groups and were given a rock to decorate and customize. These rocks would need to be brought every day of Music Camp in order to win cabin points and, ultimately, the entire cabin competition. After mingling with cabin mates and getting to know each other, sectionals started, where instruments were divided into groups to work on the pieces they would be performing on Friday. During these sectionals, musicians got to know each other better and worked in harmony to create beautiful music. Following that, Game Rotation started and included games like Chicken Slap, the Copy Game, Ping Pong Relay, and Reverse Charades. Laughter and shouts filled the room as students spent an exciting afternoon with one another, making many memories.

Campers going all out for Chicken Slap!

Day two began with a full orchestra reading session led by the conductors where all the musicians gathered to sight-read orchestral pieces. Promptly after, a clinic with the famous composer and Arcadia alumnus Richard Meyer began, where students were taught Mr. Meyer’s thinking process for composing a piece. His undeniable humor and keen eye for music were clearly evident throughout the clinic, making students laugh with his funny jokes while still teaching them new music knowledge. Then, Mr. Meyer conducted his very own piece “Miraj,” concluding the clinic. Right after, cabin competition began, where cabins would race against each other in games for the prize of 20 cabin points. The competition was exhilarating, with games including Cup Pong, Guess the Stuffed Animal, Throw the Teddy Bear, Jenga Building, and Hangman. Campers motivated their cabins by cheering them on and yelling from across the room. In the end, cabin 3 won and took the 1st place prize home. 

Mr. Meyer conducting his piece “Miraj” during the clinic. 

Sectionals began immediately on day three. Each instrument group worked tirelessly on their pieces, helping each other out and listening attentively to their sectional instructor. During cabin time, campers got to enjoy refreshing drinks made to order from the Tiki Bar, a perfect way to cool off on a hot day. Campers then made their way to the Rally Court to enjoy Skit Night, an annual tradition where students from band, orchestra, and color guard perform their skits. This year, Orchestra Council presented a dance battle (boys against girls) themed skit. The boys performed “Gnarly" by Katseye and the girls performed "Debut” by Katseye. This was greeted by an eruption of laughter and cheers from the crowd as the Council gave it their all.  

Campers enjoying refreshments from the Tiki Bar and bonding with each other!

Day four again began with sectionals in the early afternoon, with musicians polishing off their pieces for their performances the next day. Musical workshops were right after, where they got to choose between different technical skills to work on. Everyone then settled back in the main room to prepare for the cabin dress-up competition, where cabins would perform skits in relation to their cabin theme. Some themes this year included a Kpop Demon Hunters Game Show, Finding Nemo, and Squid Game. To wrap up the day, cabins competed in a riddle style scavenger hunt, running around every corner of the school in hopes of being the first to finish. Despite the blazing summer heat, the students pushed on, determined to win. 

Cabin 3 performing their Finding Nemo themed skit!

On the final day of Music Camp, musicians had one last rehearsal with their section before performances commenced. The hard work they had put in all week clearly shined through as every single piece was played beautifully. A fan favorite was the viola section, who played “Golden” from Kpop Demon Hunters while the audience sang along–an amazing way to finish off the week. Before campers officially left Music Camp, one last event remained: Unity Night. Unity Night joined students from different music departments all over the campus. They formed new ties and spent an unforgettable and joy-filled evening together. 

Bonding during Unity Night!

Music camp—although its name suggests—isn’t purely about music. It’s about the genuine friendships and new connections you form as you continue your music journey. Music brings people together, and no matter if you’re an upperclassman joining Arcadia Orchestras for the first time or you’re a freshman who’s new to high school, there is no doubt that you will make some of your greatest and fondest memories here.