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Music For All- SWAG
In the summer of 2024, I was given the opportunity to be a SWAG for Music For All's summer camp, called Summer Symposium (recently renamed to BOA Summer Camp). The job of a SWAG is many things, but the most important part of the position was to maintain a safe and engaging environment for the high school students that we worked with. In the division I was assigned to, which was the Drum Major Institute, I was on a team with seven others (pictured to the right) to lead a group of three hundred and sixty students.
Along with helping to guide some three hundred and sixty students (pictured on the left), I was also in charge of a floor of students each night. These duties consisted of keeping attendance for forty students, and aiding in anything they might need. On one occasion, these responsibilities even resulted in aiding the chief campus nurse with a medical emergency with one of my residents, who ended up alright.
My favorite moments as a SWAG were when the students were sent to us in small breakout groups. Here, I was able to lead conducting sectionals and meet some truly wonderful individuals with a passion for music and learning. We worked through warm-up exercises together, and talked about the importance of not conducting cold, as well as how to acknowledge musicians on the field when one is on a podium. Themes of perspective and patience were often present, and led to deeper conversations about personal growth with several of the students I worked with.
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Besides working with the students and led staff for the Drum Major Institute, my team and I were also in charge of welcoming our students onto campus for their first day at camp, and providing them with binders we assembled. There was a lot of behind the scenes work that went into making sure each student felt welcome, which also involved talking to parents and providing generalized information and directions about the camp.
My time as a SWAG, although short, was extremely intensive and taught me so much about how to work with passionate students and excited educators. In my division, I worked and coordinated with about twenty Music For All educators with my team. Through my time with Summer Symposium, I occupied the positions of resident manager, conducting instructor, listening ear to students, and so many others. I am happy to have gotten to spend so much time with all the wonderful SWAG's and especially grateful to my specialized team.
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