IMP Camp

The 2022 IMP Camp was held on Friday 18-Sunday 20 March. Students began rehearsals at school in the morning, before packing the truck, piling into buses, and heading to gorgeous Galston in the afternoon. Friday night saw our first evening student concert and recreation session, led by our wonderful Year 11 cohort.

Year 11 took a very active role in camp, running evening recreation, camp concerts, helping with meals, and most importantly, being musical and social role models for the next generation of IMP members. They proved to be a group of exceptional leaders, mentors, and truck-packers and we are going to miss them next year. Year 10, the bar has been set high for you!

On Saturday and Sunday, we were joined by an incredible team of 19 instrumental tutors, who worked in ensembles and sectionals, and led Ensemble B sessions. Each year at camp students take part in a large ensemble, a smaller elective ensemble, and Camp Item. All ensembles are formed specially for the camp, and rather than treating the time like extra rehearsal for the regular IMP ensembles the focus is on broader skill-based learning and extension activities beyond what the IMP is normally able to offer. The Camp Item this year was Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus; a fitting celebration to our return to live camp concerts. To learn and perform this masterwork in under 3 days is no mean feat, and the IMP Camp did itself proud!

Sunday afternoon saw our first camp concert in front of a live audience since 2019. Ensemble B groups provided the entertainment for the parents’ Afternoon Tea, and the Ensemble A groups performed in the concert itself. It was a fittingly joyous end to a wonderful camp.

This year in particular, the vibe of the camp was extremely positive. All of the students were there to work hard and learn, and they clearly had a great time doing so. After the past two years everyone appreciates these opportunities more, and no music-making is taken for granted. It was a joy to hear music coming from every building on the site, and watching the smiles on students’ faces as they worked.

This student comment best sums up the learning that took place: “You can increase your skill in 3 days, I thought they were just saying that to promote it, but you really can!” The IMP is enormously proud of the hard work put in by the students, and the giant musical steps they took at camp!

Matthew Manchester

Fort Street High School

IMP Coordinator

Director of Bands