WS Chronicle

In above photo: Niah Brooks sings “Joyful, Joyful” with the Advanced Chorus during the Graduate Concert for the Summer Conservatory of The Salvation Army Academy of Music & Arts. (Photo by Donna Rogers)

Chronicle Staff Report

The Summer Conservatory of The Salvation Army Academy of Music & Arts, in partnership with the Winston-Salem Symphony, presented its Graduation Concert on Friday, July 31, at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, 4129 Northampton Drive, in Winston-Salem.

Special guests the Voices of Galilee also performed. Niah Brooks, 13, a member of Friendship Baptist Church, was named Female Student of the Year at the graduation.

She will be able to attend the Conservatory for free next year.

She attends school in Walkertown.

Her parent is Keena McMillan.

Niah performed on the piano and was a lead singer during the concert.

The Summer Conservatory is an intensive seven-week music day camp that takes place daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p,m., Monday through Friday.

Students in the program learn to play a brass instrument (trumpet, horn, baritone, or tuba) and get to learn a second instrument of their choice depending on availability (guitar, piano, drumline).

Also, violin as a second instrument is offered through a partnership with the Winston-Salem Symphony.

Students learn basic music theory, sing in a choir, and take part in a Bible class.

The Summer Conservatory is open to children in grades 4-12 who can commit to attend all seven weeks of the program. New students need no prior brass or musical experience.

Students have time for recreation daily.

Field trips are taken once a week as part of the curriculum.

In addition, the most advanced students will have the opportunity to take part in several ministry trips to local assisted living residences and two Sunday ministry trips to area Salvation Army corps.

For more information on The Salvation Army Academy of Music & Arts contact: David Zuniga at 336-970-0608 or 336-499-1196 ext. 171 or David.Zuniga@uss.salvationarmy.org.