Health & Fitness
PRESTIGIOUS OPPORTUNITY FOR A DEDICATED LAZAR MUSICIAN
6TH GRADER ANTICIPATES "LIFE CHANGING EXPEREINCE"
A year and a half ago Jennifer Weiss began taking clarinet lessons. Last month she was accepted into the illustrious Interlochen Arts Camp. This summer, the dedicated musician will participate in the renowned music camp’s Junior Division with 6th to 9th graders from over 50 countries.
“It’s a really prestigious festival,” said band teacher, Miguel Bolivar. The Robert R. Lazar Middle School music instructor, who also directs the Montville Township High School Marching Band, encouraged Weiss to audition.
With only two weeks to prepare, and despite the fact that the Michigan camp’s audition guidelines suggest that students study their instruments for three years before applying, Weiss decided to submit a video.
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The sixth grader asked to be considered for both the 3rd to 6th and the 6th to 9th divisions. She was accepted into the more advanced program.
“I try to practice at least an hour a day,” said Weiss. “When I am doing my homework I will hold the clarinet in my hands so it feels natural.”
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Weiss has always wanted to play the clarinet. When she was in first grade her parents took her to the music store so she could embark on her dream. But, after a quick test -- the store owner asked her to blow on a piece of paper -- it was recommended that she wait until her lungs could hold more air. It takes a lot of air to play the clarinet.
Bolivar said he decided to encourage Weiss to audition because her weekly practice logs reflect dedication to the instrument.
“I am most excited to do music all the time’” Weiss said of the upcoming opportunity. “To play the clarinet most of the hours of the day, every day.”
Acceptance into Interlochen Arts Camp is very rare. Bolivar noted that this is the first student in his six years of teaching in the Montville Township school district to be accepted.
Famous alumni from Interlochen Center for the Arts programs include Peter Yarrow, Nora Jones and Mike Wallace.
Weiss explained that since everyone who attends had to audition, she will be playing with musicians who will be more skilled than herself. “They will push me to be a better musician,” she said.
