Marching band camp opened this week at Wheeling High School, but orchestra students already got a head start on them. Last month, they hosted a Summer Orchestra Camp for area elementary, middle school and high school musicians.
Musicians rehearse during Wheeling High School’s Summer Music Camp.
“The goal was to help students build relationships with the Wheeling High School music community early, making the transition to high school feel welcoming and familiar,” says Marlyn Barrera-Carrera, who is starting her fifth year as orchestra director. “The camp also encouraged students to continue playing their instruments while providing hands-on teaching experience for current Wheeling High School students.”
The camp served orchestra students in grades 4 through 8, from Districts 21 in Wheeling and 23 in Prospect Heights through rehearsals, sectionals and small-group instruction led by music educators and Wheeling High School orchestra students. On average, the camp annually draws nearly 100 students to participate.
“In addition to improving their musicianship,” Barrera-Carrera adds, “students made new friends, and developed a stronger connection to their future high school orchestra program.”
Marlyn Barrera-Carrera with colleagues Stephen Colella and Michael Malek when they earned the 2024 Dr. A. Ennis Innovator Award from District 214.
It should come as no surprise that Barrera-Carrera created the collaborative music experience with area feeder schools. In 2024, she and her Wheeling colleagues Stephen Colella and Michael Malek, won the Dr. A. Ennis Innovator Award from District 214, for creating an instructive guitar and mariachi program.
The Summer Orchestra Camp was a collaborative effort between Wheeling High School, London and Holmes middle schools in Wheeling, and MacArthur Middle School in Prospect Heights.
Barrera-Carrera worked alongside colleagues Lauren Wargaski, Faraz Chaudry, Chris Lapetino and Izabella Gieron, to create one continuous orchestra community that supports students from elementary school through high school.
An added benefit of the program was watching her Wheeling High School orchestra students become leaders as they served as camp interns, gaining hands-on teaching experience through mentoring younger musicians.
A Wheeling High School student leads section practice for stringed instrument students.
“Several former interns have gone on to pursue careers in music education after discovering a passion for teaching through the camp,” Barrera-Carrera says.
It’s all about building the Wildcat music community, which also includes an award-winning jazz band, marching band, symphonic band as well as orchestra.
“One of the most rewarding parts has been watching students grow from curious elementary musicians into confident high school orchestra members,” Barrera-Carrera says. “It’s also been meaningful to build lasting relationships with families over the years, so that by the time students and their families arrive at Wheeling High School, it feels less like meeting someone new and more like welcoming back old friends.”
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