Equip to Serve

Is ETS affiliated with a particular Christian church denomination?

No.  Our purpose is for all who trust and worship Jesus to share the experience and opportunity to develop music skills they can use to serve Him no matter their church denomination.

  

Does ETS charge a fee to attend music camp?

Music Camp is FREE to participants.  It costs ETS approximately $50 per participant to cover the costs for theory workbooks, instrumental lesson books, daily lunches, snacks 2X daily, music supplies, daily prizes, transportation aid (if needed) and other incidental necessities.

 

Can a person really learn to read music and play an instrument in 5 days of music camp?

The answer is a qualified “YES”;  progress varies depending on the aptitude of the participant and his/her use of practice time at music camp.   Though proficiency is at a beginner level, many participants are able to use the learned skills in schools or churches throughout the year between music camp.

 

How does music camp achieve success in effectively teaching music in a 5-day music camp?

1.  Classroom Training:

• Twenty-three hours in class

• 46 half-hour lessons of hands-on learning

• a school year’s worth beginner lessons

 

2.  Consistency:​

• Frequency:  Annual Summer Music Camps

• Curriculum:  ETS developed its own books for measured progress

• Volunteer Musicians:   The same core team of teachers returns each year which establishes strong teacher-student relationships.

 

3.  Quality:

• Professional music studio setting (one instrument per person)

• Camp Policies ensure best possible learning experience

• Volunteer musicians have a passion & expertise to teach music

 

4.  Objective:

• To gift each participant with knowledge and a skill ability that can be used practically in churches & schools after leaving music camp.

(Example:  The acoustic guitar class teaches 3-5 simple basic chords, strumming patterns, and provides a guitar chord book of about 50 worship songs using those chords.)

 

How do music camp participants use the music skills learned at music camp?

• Jamaican public schools are “Christian” and practice a routine of daily morning prayer, scripture reading and devotions as well as special assemblies at Easter and Christmas.   Students with music skills play instruments for school worship at assemblies , special activities and devotional times.

 

• School Choir members attend music camp, including singers and accompanists.  It has been wonderful to watch some high school competitions on TV and to see our music camp participants singing and competing while being accompanied by a keyboardist and guitar player who learned to play at music camp.

 

• Teachers and principals attend music camp and use the skills and music theory learned at music camp to teach in the classroom.  A teacher started an after-school music club, using her new-found skills and the instruments ETS donated to the school.  We LOVE educators who attend music camp, because they in turn can teach and ignite a passion for music in so many more than we are able.

 

• Churches give the young people (as young as 10) opportunities to play instruments in weekly services.  Pastors welcome and are thrilled to have young worship musicians developing their skills and understanding how to read music.  Youth are getting plugged in to their churches by finding a place and purpose to use their music skills.

 

• Alumni are teaching others.  Several have pursued post-secondary music education and have become music teachers or professional instrumentalists earning a living through music.