SUMMER THEATRE ACADEMIES (Grades 3-8)

The Palmer Arts Council is back for its seventh season of SUMMER THEATRE ACADEMIES.  This wildly popular program is for kids who have an interest in stage performance.  The six week, full day program of learning is broken into three two-week sessions.  Each two week session is concluded by a stage production for parents, family, friends and the general public.  Each play is fully costumed.  Sound, lights and unique sets complete the theatre experience for kids and audiences.

The Academies will again be led by Anne Williams, elementary teacher and theatre veteran.  The program will be housed at Sherrod Elementary School in Palmer.

SUMMER FINE ARTS PROGRAM (Grades 4-8)

The kids love it.  They paint; they draw, they design, they sculpt; they hike and record what they see; they receive the instruction from fine local artists.  The program is blocked in three one-week, full-day sessions.  Art work that is produced by students is displayed in Palmer public places.

The program is led by Misty Holler, an elementary school art teacher, and features a variety of guest instructors.  Academy Charter School serves as the home base for the program.

SUMMER YOUTH BAND  (High School)

The Palmer Summer Youth Band has become a great favorite for players and audiences.  The band plays challending music and plays at events like Governor's Picnic, Palmer Pride, and the Mid-Summer Garden and Art Fair.  The band played eight concerts in eight different locations.  Players are drawn from Palmer, Wasilla, and Colony High Schools, and welcomes instrumentalists from alternative schools and home-schoolers.  Summer Youth Band keeps kids playing their instruments right through the summer months.  The band practices twice a week for eight weeks. 

Popular music teacher from Palmer Junor Middle School, Matt Swalling, leads the band.  In 2012 the band program will be operating out of Palmer High School

PERCUSSION CAMP IS BACK (Open Enrollment)

For our percussion camp, Palmer Arts Council is looking for Middle and High School students who want to expand their percussion skills.  Program Director Meggie Aube is the finest percussionist to come out of the Mat-Su Schools.  In June, 2011, Meggie was awarded her doctorate in musical performance from the University of Iowa with emphasis on percussion.  Enrollment will be limited to 15 students.  Dr. Aube will lead the hands-on instruction in the 5 day intensive workshop.  The week will conclude with a percussion recital at Vagabond Blues in downtown Palmer.

The percussion camp will be located at Palmer High school.

YOUTH THEATRE      (High School Students)

The Palmer Arts Council is adding Youth Theatre to its summer offerings.  The new program will emphasize the learning and exercising the skills required for stage performing.  The summer-long program will conclude with 2 or 3 productions for public enjoyment.  Enrollment will be limited.                

Brian Mead, drama teacher at Colony High School, and Grant Olson have given a tentative commitment to lead the program.  Olson teaches at Palmer Junior Middle School and is a veteran actor, director and producer.  He also teaches theatre at the Palmer campus of the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Colony High School will be the site of the program.

JUNIOR BAND     (Middle School Students)              

In response to demand, the Arts Council is adding a second band program.  The community’s Middle School students need to continue playing their instruments through the summer months.  Planning the program is in its early stages,  The Junior Band program will mirror the high school band program with professional leadership, demanding instruction, and opportunity for public performance.

Artistic self-expression is essential to the overall health and well-being of all citizens. During the Palmer Arts Council Summer Arts Programs, young people are introduced to arts materials and projects that may not be included in the school curriculum.

Programs emphasize hands-on learning, positive adult relationships, and take full advantage of the capacity of the arts to develop social skills such as teamwork, self-respect, and self-discipline.

  The Palmer Arts Council Summer Art Programs provide area elementary, middle and high school students an opportunity for in-depth exposure to – and training in – visual arts, theater, and music. 

Instructed by professional artists and credentialed art teachers, students will experience age-appropriate instruction in a variety of art and music mediums. 

In 2012 there will be camps in theater, fine arts, percussion, and band.