OOMPAH Summer Arts Program a Blast
Summer vacation was made a little bit more exciting for over 200 students who participated in the Huntington School District’s OOMPAH Summer Arts Enrichment Program. Classes, which included a variety of visual and performing arts areas, were led by ten certified art and music teachers.
The Organization of Music Parents of Huntington sponsors the program and is responsible for meetings its expenses. It was supervised by Huntington music teacher Nicole Lynch. Assisting the corps of teachers were 19 high school students and two college music majors.
In all, 213 students enrolled in grades 4-9 enjoyed four fun filled weeks at J. Taylor Finley Middle School on Greenlawn Road. “Nicole Lynch did an outstanding job of organizing the program offerings,” Mrs. Fretz said. Parents are already inquiring about next year’s offerings and the district has made available a tentative schedule and posted it on its website at www.hufsd.edu. (Click on the link for The Arts and then on Summer Programs.)
This year’s program culminated in a full day of concerts and exhibits of student work. “Our parents were so impressed by how much the students learned in such a short time,” said Joan Fretz, district director of fine and performing arts. “It’s really a fabulous way to spend part of your summer. Our fourth graders get a head start on their new band or orchestra instruments and our students get a chance to work with the teachers who will be teaching them in middle school and high school. It’s a great way to explore interest and talent in a variety of areas.”
New this year was a fashion course called Project Runway and also a puppet making course. Students were also able to explore the technical side of the arts in computer graphics, digital photo and computer composing.
The program remains one of the more affordable summer camps. A registration fee of $40 is assessed and each class is priced at $90. Students may take anywhere from one to four different classes.
“The staff is already looking forward to next year, with plans to expand the program offerings,” Mrs. Fretz said. Next summer, special classes will be offered to students in grades 7-9 after school officials noticed that many teenagers were coming back to the program year-after-year.
“Since we have a significant number of older students now in the program, we would like to provide classes just for them, which can move at a faster pace,” Mrs. Fretz explained. “The music ensembles for the older students will be able to play more advanced music as well. We also plan to have a double period Theater Arts class, to provide more rehearsal time for this popular program.”
Registration for the 2009 OOMPAH summer program will begin in January. Announcements about course offerings, schedules and registration information will be posted on the district website.
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