Spain’s 3^rd Music Camp: A Great Success

by Professor Howard Lenhoff, WSA Music Advisory Board and WSF

Thanks to Spain’s WS parents Marina Parra of Soria and Tomas Monzo of Valencia, the 3rd WS Music Camp was a major success. But the events of the week were more than a music camp. The "campamento" was like a combination of a Music Camp, a WS Convention, and a WS Professional Meeting all put together, including a public concert by American WS musician (Guest Gloria Lenhoff) in Soria’s Palacio de Audiencias.

Considering that there are only about 100 identified families having a WS child in Spain, and that 29 WS children attended the weeklong (July 23-August 31) music camp, and more than 30 families attended the final weekend activities, clearly the organizers recognized and satisfied a number of needs of Spain’s Williams families. Obviously the organizers were motivated by their own talented WS children, singer Laura Parra and pianist/artist Tommi (Tomas) Monzo.

The activities took place in historic Soria, a small city in the rolling hills about 100 miles northeast of Madrid. The major events were:

Music Camp: Compared to the music camp at Belvoir Terrace in Lenox, Massachusetts, the camp in Spain differed in two respects; First, there were no age restrictions. The campers ranged in age from 6 years to over 30. Secondly, the music classes took place four hours during the middle of the day, whereas the other daytime activities were general camping activities, such as crafts and swimming. Most evenings revolved around having guest artists (such as a municipal band/orchestra, Gloria Lenhoff and a rock group) both educate and entertain the campers. Like the Belvoir Camp, the emphasis was on the [children with Williams Syndrome] enjoying being together, having a camp experience, and sharpening their emphasis on music.

I found the week exhilarating. Although we were in a foreign country and having some difficulty with the language, we felt as if we were with family the whole time. The campers exhibited the same friendly behavior and range of musical talent as do the Williams campers at Belvoir. We were readily accepted, and the English of the children was in most cases, better than our Spanish. Two were outstanding drummers, several were promising singers with great stage presence, and one of the pianists could read musical notation. All performed on the final morning to cheering parents and siblings.

Public performance and publicity: Although Gloria gave a number of informal performances for the campers, her major presentation was a public concert presented on Friday evening at the major performing center in the province, the Palacio de Audiencias de Soria. There she was accompanied by the well known local piano soloist Señor Oscar Gallardo. They hit it off superbly as Gloria sang a varied repertoire ranging from the Man of La Mancha’s "Impossible Dream" and three classic Spanish pieces to selections from an Italian opera (La Boheme), Schubert’s "Ave Maria,", a Chinese folksong, and Dolly Parton’s "I Will Always Love You." As an encore she played a medley of Italian pieces, including "O Sole Mio", on the accordion.

Her performance, as well other events of the week, was well covered by the two daily newspapers of the area. During the week, they published nine articles, reviews and commentaries on Williams syndrome, including eight photographs. In addition, four of the events and interviews were shown on local television. Of Gloria’s performance, music reviewer Julian De La Llana wrote: "The excellent quality and high artistic level of her performance are, without a doubt, an example to follow. The audience was so astonished and fascinated, that they applauded warmly throughout the recital."

Gloria, of course, liked her instant celebrity status quickly noticed by the staff and guests of the hotel where we were staying. She was serenaded by local troubadours and, when we left, people were lined up to kiss her good bye, including our chambermaids!

Lecture and Panel: In addition to meeting informally with campers, staff, camp organizers, and parents, I gave one formal presentation to the parents, senior staff, and guests, and participated in the question/answer part of a panel of distinguished researchers on Williams Syndrome. Both formal sessions were held in a lecture hall of a local institute which trains translators. We had a superb translator, and all participants and members of the audience were provided with earphones to hear either the English or Spanish.

My talk, obviously, dealt with music and Williams syndrome and included our recent research regarding the prevalence of absolute pitch in [people with Williams Syndrome]. It was modeled after the talks I gave at the professional and parents’ meetings at Detroit earlier this month. At the end of my talk in Spain, however, Gloria stole my thunder by giving a brief musical presentation. I did get loud applause, however, after I gave a short introduction in well-rehearsed Spanish. The presentation received excellent press coverage.

The panel was presented by the well-known and charming Professor Luis Perez Jurado, a bright pediatrician trained in the genetics of WS in the United States; Dr. Jaime Campos Castello, Chief of Pediatric Neurology, Madrid; Professor of Linguistics Elena Garayzabal Heinze of Madrid; and Dr. Ruth Campos Garcia, Psychologist, Madrid. I found the speakers well qualified and up-to-date in the literature. Yet, from the parents’ questions, Sylvia and I felt that they needed to hear less science. Instead they seemed to be searching for answers to questions dealing more with the psychological and social needs of the Williams families.

The Grand Finale: As with the Belvoir music camp in the USA, the "campamento" in Spain ended with a final performance in which all of the campers participated. The performers were greeted by enthusiastic applause of family and friends fully armed with cameras and camcorders. After the performance, the parents and scientists celebrated with a grand feast outdoors under a large white tent at a nearby restaurant with a magnificent view of the mountainous countryside while the campers and their siblings enjoyed games and a party at the camp.

As a footnote, we soon adjusted to the different eating customs of Spain. The main meal was the "lunch" which never began before 2 PM and which usually ended around 4 PM. Then a so-called "smaller" supper usually occurred between 9 and 11 PM. We found particularly puzzling was that despite those two daily heavy meals, we notice very few heavy people in Soria. But I do not think I will try that schedule in the USA!

(Lenhoff with teachers and parents at one of many celebratory feasts.)

(Tomas Monzo, camp co-organizer, and his wife, Lisa, our hosts & translators.)

Muchas Gracias to Señora Marina Parra and Señor Tomas Monzo and all of the Williams family in Spain who participated in this memorable week. It was a very special experience meeting this segment of the marvelous extended world-wide Williams family. We thank them for allowing us the chance to participate in and share the week’s events. Their children are in good hands.

(l-r: Gloria, Sylvia & Howard Lenhoff)