My WWSI experience
By: Caleb Chung
Very few people have heard of Walla Walla, and some thought it was in Hawaii! We drove 5 hours east of Seattle to this town of 50,000 – and mom and dad said it was very special. It has 200 wineries and no one really knows about it! We found it because we met the institute director Miss Julia Salerno in another institute two years ago called GMSI( You should go too) – and we are so happy we did!
In Walla Walla, there were a lot of things to do but let me tell you about the learning.
It’s just like HK! You get private lessons and group lessons everyday for five days. The private lessons are almost the same as typical lessons, but are called masterclasses, so most of the time you only get 15 minutes, but you get a lot out of it. In the group lessons, you get an advantage either way. If you are advanced for your book you get to review. If you just started your book, you get to work on the pieces that you are working on. You also get to meet new friends, and the next year, you will hopefully advance together and that is nice.
In the camp, you also get electives. Electives are musical related activities and there were four available – Steel drums, Dalcroze, Chamber, and orchestra. I chose Steel drums, chamber, and orchestra. They were very enjoyable.. In chamber, I got taught by renowned suzuki teacher named Dr Glenn Springs. The song that we learned was called six petite trios. In orchestra, our teacher was really funny. His name is Mr Bruce Walker and he has a super high voice! I was in violin one and the song that we played was called symphony one. It was written by William boyce and was played at the royal wedding. My sister Chloe thinks he is very funny and calls him funny man. In steel drums, I had Mr Jaggabad. We learned song of the wind, Shake de papaya down, go tell aunt rhody, Twinkle Twinkle, and F major scale.
In WWSI, There is something called honors. You get to play a solo piece and it is really nerve wrecking but exciting. I played Vivaldi concerto in A minor second movement in book five. I think i did well and everyone clapped!
At camp everyone was very nice.. Sometimes if you are lucky enough, you get a free period or at the end of the day you get to swim in the university swimming pool which has a diving board and a basketball hoop!
Overall, I think WWSI was an amazing experience and you should come too! I hope to see you next year in Walla Walla Washington!