Harmony(aum) Summer Camp

The Rhoda Harmony(aum) Summer camp is an opportunity for young children to learn the foundations of musicality within a spiritual framework. This camp is focused on nurturing within each child their natural ability to hear harmony and recognize it, to sing in unison and repeat a melody, and to move gracefully and in rhythm in all that they do, be it preparing the prayer mats before prayer, washing their hands before eating, playing harmoniously with others and everything in between.

In this camp, your child will get plenty of outdoor nature play in the beautiful Rhoda Peace Garden alongside a Nature school education student, they will get to explore and learn song, traditional dance, and musical instruments alongside a piano teacher and community choir director. The focus throughout the simple rhythm of camp days will be to discover harmony in all we do and have fun doing it.

Musicality and rhythm have long been a part of the Islamic spiritual culture and heritage. Many scholars and education specialists recommend the learning of instruments as part of a child’s education in order that they come to appreciate the beauty and its creation - the effort, the elements, and the overall composition that go into producing a work of art. Through learning musicality, one gains a classical appreciation of “beauty”.

In addition, many Muslim cultures have developed a way of singing together in harmony that is unique to their regions. You can see it in Uyhghur Muslim musical ensembles, the Turkish musical spiritual circles such as the Mevlevis, the Qawwals of India, the Chechen zikr circles and ceremonies, the Manzuma of Ethiopia, the Thikiri of South Africa, and so many more examples of beautiful, rich, traditions that show our human need to experience harmony.

Through learning music one comes to learn that harmony is not achieved randomly, but rather through a distinct method. This realization alone makes learning music well worth the time, as it leads to a whole outlook on life and a respect and appreciation of beauty wherever it is found. It also gives rise to a dedication to the processes and background work that are always required to produce beauty in one’s own life.

Aum (better known as Om) is an ancient sound/syllable in Indian scriptures known as the primordial sound, the sound of everything, the sound of the Universe. It is a beautiful sound we added to the name of the camp to reinforce the idea that Harmony in music AND in life is our focus.

If you would like to register siblings email us at info@rhodamasjid.org for the siblings discount. Money should not be an obstacle to participation, if you would love for your child or someone else’s child to be a part of this regardless of financial situation please email us to ask about our subsidies and pay-it-forward options.

Your child will get to take part in the following activities

• Learning/playing outdoors
• Singing
• Dancing (simple, age-appropriate traditional rhythm/movement)
• Dhikr together (in unison and melody)
• Praying together
• Stories about harmony and Art
• Drumming and musical exploration

Curriculum Outline:

Core Competencies:

By the end of this program, students will

1. Know how to breathe well and control their breathing
2. Know good pitch and good harmony
3. Learn a new song and dance they can present
4. Understand that harmony and artistry are part of their spiritual tradition
5. Celebrate spiritual ceremony in harmony (prayer, Friday prayers, closing and opening gatherings)

Auxiliary Competencies:

By the end of this program, students will have gained meaningful opportunities to practice:

1. Harmony in music, lifestyle, and spiritual ceremony (Salah, entering the Mosque, sharing meals, playing in nature)
2. Cooperating with others
3. Building meaningful personal connections between self, community, the world, and our Creator
4. Drumming and rhythm
5. Gratitude and praying for others

A TYPICAL DAY

9 - 9:15 am Arrivals

                        Quiet reading and play

9:15 am - 10:15 am Welcome Circle & Choir

                                          Welcome Circle (Opening prayers) 

                                          Vocal warmup (Major and minor scales, singing in unison and harmony, breath control)

                                          Choir Class & Traditional dance

10:15 am - 10:30 am Snack

10:30 am to 12 pm  Outdoor nature exploration and play in Peace Garden

12 pm - 1 pm Lunch

1 pm - 1:30  pm Stories and Musical exploration (instruments, drums, special guests/teachers, and artistic games/activities)

1:30pm - 2:45pm Outdoor nature play in Peace Garden (*Please note that Friday this slot will be a special dress rehearsal session)

2:45 - 3pm Closing circle of gratitude and prayers (*Please note that Friday will be a special end-of-camp celebration)