Summer music campers visit the music of China

Once upon a time in China, many years ago, an emperor nearing the end of his life needed to find a successor. He called all of the children in the region to visit him and gave each a seed.
So begins a traditional Chinese morality tale, sometimes called “The Emperor’s Seed.” That story, and the adaptation penned by South Central Calhoun High School senior Kjersti Olson, were on display Friday at South Central Calhoun Middle School, during a performance by the 20 or so students participating in the annual summer music camp.
The students learned, in just a week, vocal music, how to play recorders and a wide variety of percussion, as well as perfected traditional ribbon and dragon dances for their Friday night show.
“We have really worked hard on it,” music teacher Judy Panning said of the performance during Friday afternoon’s rehearsal.
The students had joyously embraced the tasks before them – learning new moves and notes, as well as lessons from Chinese culture.
Read more n the June 22 edition.