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SCD hosts art institute for various age groups, disciplines
Kids can explore the arts like never before at the new Gretsch Institute music, art and dance camp
5.22 Gretsch Institute
Young girl painting mural for Gretsch Institute - photo by Photo provided

SAVANNAH — Beginning June 9, The Gretsch Institute Music, Art and Dance Camp will offer students an opportunity for rich learning experiences within an inspiring multi-dimensional arts curriculum.

Generously funded and inspired by the internationally-recognized The Gretsch Company, the camp allows students to expand their creativity and artistic skills in a unique “arts university” experience. They will find intrigue, fascination and fun in a variety of traditional and eclectic courses including: jazz improvisation, fiddling and bluegrass techniques, music video production, cuttlefish casting, ballet, yoga and much more.

Small group settings will pair students with talented artists, musicians and instructors during three one-week sessions.

Director of the Institute William Keith states, “We are tremendously appreciative of the generous gift from The Gretsch Foundation which provided the impetus for us to design and launch two very unique art-oriented programs as part of The Gretsch Institute’s pilot year. Our June component is a multi-dimensional arts curriculum geared toward rising third through eighth graders which offers a fantastic array of interesting classes, activities and learning opportunities for students in week-long, day camp experiences.”

Following the June component, a two-week orchestra and band camp will be launched in July. The camp will offer regional student musicians (rising eighth-12th graders) an opportunity to study their craft with a world-class staff.

This staff comprises of professional musicians from many of the area’s finest regional orchestras, including Savannah’s Sinfonietta, The Augusta Symphony, Charleston Symphony and others.

This is going to be a remarkable learning opportunity for student musicians in this area and it is located ‘right in their back yard’.

“I’m very pleased to be involved with such a great project that has the potential to make an enormous artistic impact with area students.”

“The Gretsch Foundation’s mission is to enrich people’s lives through participation in music,” said Dinah Gretsch of The Gretsch Foundation. “It all starts with early childhood music and continues with school and recreational music. The program at SCDS is a wonderful first step in a lifetime musical journey. We are very excited and proud to be a part of this summer program. SCDS, Bill Keith and the staff have put together a wonderful curriculum. We would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to all the wonderful music, art and dance teachers who will participate this summer.”

For information about the program, call (912) 925-8800 or register online at www.thegretschinstitute.org.

Savannah Country Day School is a pre-k through 12 independent school that seeks to prepare students of academic and personal promise to meet with confidence, imagination, and integrity the challenges of college and of life.

For more information about Savannah Country Day School, its mission, and its programs, please visit www.savcds.org.