Tuesday 28 July 2009

Where are you?

Thousands of young people have come through the music camps, and it is tragic to think that we have hardly any records of who they were, and where they all are now. There are a few we know of that have become well known musicians, but I am sure there are many that we don't know of. Often people tell me that they came to camp as children, and that it really influenced their musical lives ( I know it did mine).
If you are reading this and are an ex camper or member of staff please leave a comment and let us know. We have a few old staff lists, but it would be nice to fill in some of the gaps. Perhaps you would like to come to camp again?.
This is a cutting about a boy called Simon Stanley who came to the first camp ( click on it to read). I believe his parents were on the staff. Where are you now Simon? Are you still playing the cello?.
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8 comments:

  1. Harri10 August 2010 at 05:09

    Great to look at the old pictures, and of course all the new ones. I came to the camp in the camp in the 80's and funnily enough met a musician last year at one of his gigs, the night before he was due to play the The Stables. Christian Garrick also used to go to the camps too but in the years after me I think. I'll see if I can dig out any old pics to send in. I still play (sax now rather than clarinet, and quite badly!) for my own enjoyment. My daughter is now on her second year at camp and it's funny to see how much it's 'modernised' since my days there!

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  2. Unknown18 September 2010 at 07:26

    I still know of a few friends from camp; Quentin Collins was at TC1 with me in 93 &n 94; http://www.quentincollins.com/
    Simon Guerrier played the Sax at a few TC2's in the early 90's and now writes for Doctor Who.
    I came across a pile of photos from that era this week, and scanned some in..
    http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=230259&id=705604012&l=19d131a794

    I perform as a DJ every now and then, and live in Lancashire; camp was great, it was something I looked forward to all year, good to see its still thriving and hope it maintains the same essence!

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  3. The National Youth Music Camps18 September 2010 at 13:15

    Thanks so much for this.
    Sarah

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  4. Helen Hampton18 June 2011 at 09:38

    Hello,
    I am Helen Hampton (formally Helen Adcock) and I attended Avril's camps from 1973-1976. The camps were the highlight of my year and I loved every second of every day. I used to cry throughout the whole journey home! Avril and Les became close friends and were always incredibly supportive of my career. I went on to the Easter Allmusic course which was also fantastic and led to my first record deal. I have been a professional singer all my life and coming to the music camps played a huge part in that. At my first camp, the guitar tutor, Robin, heard me sing and insisted on teaching me to play the guitar so that I could accompany myself. That single act of belief and recognition led to me writing songs and perform in clubs. For the years while I attended the camps and for at least 5 afterwards, I ran a bimonthly newsletter to keep the large group of friends in touch. We used to have all sorts of reunions through the year, where everyone would come and stay over (often at my house as it was large and I had fantastically relaxed parents!) I still have copies of the letters and am recently (via Facebook) back in touch with several ex-music camp friends.
    I am still a professional singer, having sung with everyone from Michael Jackson to Des O'Connor and I am now the Director of Popchoir, and run choirs for anyone and everyone who loves to sing pop, rock, disco - in fact, all genres of contemporary music. Avril's vision was an extraordinary one and the thousands of children who have been through her camps owe her an enormous debt of gratitude. I certainly do.

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  5. The National Youth Music Camps20 June 2011 at 08:00

    Helen ! I remember you. I was a camper the same year . ( we did Dracula as a musical!). I was in a tent with Alison Cooper and Jane Claire. Have a look at my blog. www.razzamajazz.blogspot.com
    Are you still in Bristol?

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  6. Helen Hampton23 July 2011 at 12:08

    Ha ha! No - I've lived in London since 1978! But tomorrow is a great day - I'm bringing my eldest daughter up to the Teen 1 camp for the very first time! I can't wait to see the place again and am hoping she'll enjoy it as much as I did all those years ago. I can't think why I didn't think of it before! Duh! Anyway - hope I'll see you there.

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  7. The National Youth Music Camps23 July 2011 at 13:11

    I really hope she has a great time. I won't be there when the campers arrive tomorrow, but look forward to seeing you on Sat. Come and say hello.
    Sarah

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  8. Elizabeth Holland1 July 2012 at 13:24

    I went to my first camp in the 1980s and continued throughout my teenage years. In the 1990s, whilst studying to become a teacher, I tutored on a couple of the junior camps - what a great experience!

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