I have to write this all now, before its out of my memory forever. Laurel Music Camp 2006, the best year to date, is already over. I cant even begin to explain how amazing camp was this year, and how much it has done for me. Let me start with this person, Mr. Keith Hodgson.

Ive had a number of directors throughout high school, all of which I consider skilled and talented, but none could compare to Keith Hodgson. The first day of camp all I could think was that there was no way this man could be as qualified for the position as past directors have been. He seemed so young and fresh, new to the world of music and inexperience. But as we ended our first rehearsal I realized I was wrong. Mr. Hodgson is indescribable. I was afraid that I wouldnt be able to play the music he brought, Hounds of Spring, And the Heart Replies, Americans We or Sorcery Suite. They all seemed so difficult, and with the small flute section that we had, I thought he was expecting too much from us, or even just me. He pushed us hard, harder than my first two directors at camp, but Im glad he did. Ive grown a technical proficiency from this week that I could not have gotten anywhere else. Not only the music he brought, but the warm-ups he gave us really opened my mind. He used basics of theory in warm-ups, and introduced us to the grand-master scale which combines every scale into a 1-minute warm-up. He has given me so many tools that I will store away to be used on my band some day. I loved in rehearsal when he would ask theory questions, and even though I felt bad about it, I became known as the girl with the answers to them all. I didnt want to sound pompous HONESTLY! I just cant help the fact that I love theory so much!

Throughout the week, Ive had so many special memories more on those to come. But tonight I had the memory that I will hold with me for hopefully the rest of my life. As we were waiting forever in the band room, I started to get another migraine. So I went outside to eat some leftover Fritos in hopes that would ease my head a bit. As I walked out to the steps I passed by Mr. Hodgson who gave me the signature smile and said hello, and I politely greeted him back. I had figured all week that he was just one of those people who would just talk to you for a few seconds then bow out. I figured he was only here with us a week, so probably didnt care much to get to know us students. I guess I was wrong. A few minutes after I sat down on the steps, he came out and sat down beside me and said, So, tell me about you. I truly was amazed. We began talking about theatre, and music, of course. Then we got into a discussion about early music education and how it should be taught, and I was amazed at how much he respected what I had to say. I felt as if I really was a music educator already, talking to a colleague more than a teacher. After a little while, to my disappointment, other people joined us. Call me selfish, but I would have loved to sit there and talk to him right up until the concert. I feel like I could learn so much from him. I am so sad to see him leave, and I hope that I do see him again some day. He is an amazing director, an inspiring musician, and a wonderful person. What he said to me, Youre going to be an exceptional music educator, I can tell already. That one sentence made me feel so confident in myself. Ive heard that before, but from my own directors who have known me for years. This was coming from someone who Ive only known a week, and who reached out to me when he didnt have to. This is also coming from someone I consider to be an inspiration, and who expelled a sincerity in that comment that I cant deny. I hope that hes right, and I hope that I am some day able to work with him again, but not as student, but as a colleague, the way he made me feel. I guess this blog has become more an ode to Mr. Hodgson than a memory of camp, but he deserved it. This is part of the reason why I want to become a music teacher. If Mr. Hodgson, in the same career as I want to be in, can inspire me like this, then its proof that I could do the same. If I can inspire or change the life of just one student, then my lifes goal will be complete. Hes one of those unsung heros, who doesnt realize the lives he changes every day. Thats what I want to be for someone, some day.

Thats all I can say for tonight. I have some quotes written down that Im sure Ill add later, but for now, Ive said my piece.

And let me once again reiterate my disdain for separation. As Ive said before, I love getting to know new and wonderful people, but I hate when it is only for a short amount of time. For this person, who has changed my life forever, to have left almost as quickly as he entered breaks my heart. I know I cant keep ties with every person Ill ever meet, but it kills me to know that I may never see him or the other wonderful people from camp again. LMC is a family, truly, and leaving them is like divorcing a part of my life. I hate to see them go, and I hate to know that I may never see them again. I hope that I do, someday, and in true camp tradition, I hope that the next time I see them I can pick up right where we left off. In the words of Bridget, I love CAMP!