By Julie Huss
jhuss@derrynews.com
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DERRY — The numbers may be small, but the sounds are soaring.
One recent warm morning, 13 young instrumentals sat in a semicircle, their reflections cast against the shiny brass of a trumpet or trombone, all waiting for the downbeat to begin.
The students, all entering sixth grade this fall, are part of the Derry School District's summer band camp, a chance for young musicians to keep their horns polished and their reeds damp, all in the name of making music together.
"You can all wear a glove or hat," camp director and South Range Elementary School band director Christopher Gantner told his young musicians.
The students were preparing to play a version of Michael Jackson's "Beat It" and were going for the full effect. They even planned to enter the room before playing in a single line as Gantner pounded out the familiar "Beat It" introduction on his keyboard.
"And look cool when you come in," Gantner called out.
It's not bad for three days work that week, he added, saying his young charges are very talented and band camp prepares them for the middle school band experience as they head to Gilbert H. Hood or West Running Brook.
Aidan O'Donohue, 11, took the corner position behind a full set of drums. Playing Michael Jackson music was perfect for his talent, he said.
"I used to play just the snare," he said. "This is the first time I've played with the whole set."
At the end of the row, Logan Connors, also 11, said he chose to play the alto saxophone because it made "cool noises." His shiny instrument glowed as he joined in on his best "Beat It" moment.
"It's fun being with my friends, too, and playing," he said.
Some of the students are more novice than others, Gantner said. Others are veterans and can play many instruments.
"I love the trumpet," 11-year-old Alyssa Greis said. "It's really fun and I want to get better at it."
Serena Levine is the school district's director of supplemental services and heads up the summer Create Your Own Camp programs. In addition to band camp, there are programs like archery, cake decorating and computer skills.
"Archery is very popular," Levine said. "We're keeping it full."
Other programs, though, haven't fared too well this summer. Total enrollment is down to about 100 students, compare to more than 200 students in previous years.
Levine said she blames the economy for the spiral in attendance, but said the programs keep going to give students a chance to have fun and still learn new things while on summer break.
For the band students, it's a chance to play together and make music. The band will offer a final concert at the end of the session on July 30.
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