As another school year rolls around, Arcadia Orchestras’ annual Music Camp begins! At Music Camp, orchestra students from all levels come together to learn from professional music coaches, participate in traditions—such as Mole Night, Skit Night, and Unity Night—and, more importantly, make new friends. Unlike other Orchestra Music Camps, this year’s had special events, including a playing session with the one and only Richard Meyer! Here is a recap of what our talented musicians have been up to.

Day 1. Music Camp started off strong with orchestra students flooding into the orchestra room, ready to start their week-long music galore. Each student split into their respective cabins and quickly befriended their cabin mates, which is the iconic charm of Music Camp. During sectionals, each group began preparing pieces for Friday’s performance while making music together and forming new friendships. The afternoon that followed included games such as Capture the Chicken, Pick Up the Bill, Psychiatrist, Potato Sack Race, and Karaoke! The Performing Arts Courtyard was filled with screams, cheers, and unforgettable memories.

Day 2. Upon arriving in the orchestra room, the students scattered into their respective sectionals and played music to their hearts’ content. Afterwards, the first of the cabin competitions started: Architect! Chaos ensued as cabins scurried to create the best makeshift harps, paper oboes, and tall marshmallow structures to name a few. Once Choir combined with Orchestra, Music Camp’s annual Mole Night competition began! It is an evening of exciting games where groups have to rat out a mole, who’s on a daring mission to sabotage their team’s success rate without getting caught. Some moles were easily discovered, while others were sneaky and difficult to spot! The night ended with a humungous water balloon fight that left many campers soaked.

Day 3. Everyone, regardless of skill level, participated in a whole orchestra sight-reading session, an exclusive event only at Music Camp. Additionally, for the first time, the famous musician, composer, and Arcadia High School alumnus Richard Meyer joined the orchestra reading session, bringing his renowned compositions and humor to the orchestra. Under Mr. Meyer’s instruction, the air was filled with joyous laughter and tunes while the combined orchestra performed his famous piece New Chances, New Dances. After this opportunity, Music Camp’s annual Skit Night commenced, in which all music departments participate in. From singing acts, bands, skits, to the Thick n’ Nasty tradition, cheers enveloped the rally court, another memorable moment of Music Camp.

Day 4. Following the second-to-last sectional of Music Camp, the students unleashed their inner musicians during the cover song and musicality workshops. Cabin dress-up followed suit, where cabins performed skits related to Lego Ninjago, fast food chains, Paw Patrol, and other famous franchises for cabin points. Each cabin then participated in the annual Music Camp scavenger hunt, running tirelessly around campus to locate the areas in the given riddles. With fiery perseverance, many groups raced to the finish line, determined to be the sole victor.

Day 5. After one last sectional, sectional performances began. Each section worked throughout the week to perfect their performances, which was evident during the show. Everyone performed outstandingly, with many cheers and applause enveloping the orchestra room. Shortly after, the students began to walk to Santa Anita Park to participate in Unity Night—Music Camp’s most iconic event—where students make new friends and memories with other musicians from various music programs. This event is integral to Music Camp, as it is the one that students tend to remember the most.

This year’s Music Camp was a blast! Contrary to popular belief, Music Camp isn’t just about learning music; it’s more about participating in fun summer activities and bonding with others during the week-long adventure. If Music Camp sounded amazing to you, consider joining next year!