Marching Mocs

Weight loss camps, yes, they really do exist. If you’ve heard of training camps, band camps and all sorts of other summers camps then chances are you have an idea already why such summer weight loss camps exists. Various weight loss summer camps have distinct programs. You’ll find camps that offer programs from traditional dieting and exercising to the newest fad in weight loss programs.

A summer weight loss camp in New York, for example, supplements traditional diet and weight loss programs with alternative means of loosing weight. The camp set their priorities to keep their programs enjoyable and entertaining.

The want the teens and kids that enroll in their summer camp to have fun more than anything else. Their programs are spread out to a diversity of extraordinary activities which increases, hastens and maintains the calorie burning process.

And before the summer camp ends, parents and the teens themselves are very happy on the results of their weight loss program. The good thing from these summer camps is that most of their weight loss programs are geared towards continuity. If they decide to stick with their program, they will surely loose weight even after they return to their homes.

It has been observed that traditional diet camps are not producing the desired results. It is therefore important that you choose well which camp you will send your kid to. Look for camps that have great programs and impressive backings from the academe as well as the scientific community.

It is comforting to know that the diet programs your kids or teens will undertake are based on scientific research and meticulous studies. You don’t want to send your kids to a camp which will make them guinea pigs for a new exercise program. You want well established weight loss programs that deliver results.

Aside from diets and exercises, other camps offer skills trainings that will help kids and teens maintain a healthy body all through their life. Some still offers various behavioral therapies that will strengthen their mental and emotional state through whatever kind of issues that might arise from weight gain.

Also, there are summer camps that are specialized for the needs of teens with other issues aside from overweight like such as Autism, ADHD, Asperger’s, obesity, different learning disabilities or behavioral problems. There are camps that will handle the needs of these special kids all the while addressing their problems in weight.

For parents, these camps are God send. It might prove to very difficult for the parents to encourage their teens and kids that are hounded by psychological disorders to loose weight. They sometimes need the experts’ assistance on things.

One other thing the parents should look for in a weight loss camp is the ratio of instructors or counselors to students. The ratio of instructors and counselors to students should be high. By having more than enough instructors, camps will be able to focus on the kids and teens’ programs.

They will make sure that the teens will be following the program correctly and will guide them to the right techniques in order to maximize the results. Expert instructors will make sure that kids and teens as well as their parents and sponsors will leave camp satisfied and have greater self esteem.

Weight loss summer camps are scattered all over the country. There are also winter camps for weight loss. You won’t run out of options when it comes to health camps such as these.

In an effort to stay fit and healthy, people nowadays are becoming more and more conscious of their food and diet. They are also doing more exercise to maintain their health and. The benefits of the healthy food and exercise are well known. However, there is one more fact that people are not aware of. It is the positive impact of music on health. Young or old, music is an effective means of managing stress and hence can be an important and effective tool to facilitate healthy existence. Music can play an important role throughout our lives. Music is based on sound waves that lie between our voice and the meditative brain wavelengths and as a result it can be a medium that can connect us with our higher conscious thereby relieving us of anxiety and tension.

Educationists have long known the benefits of music. The ability to play a musical instrument and make music improves our analytical abilities. In the process of learning music, the reading of musical notes and musical notations works towards stimulating the processes linked with solving mathematical and analytical problems and do extremely well in sciences.

The minds of young people are filled with eternal hope, which reflects in their musical creations. This can be clearly seen while watching them learn to play musical instruments and when they are performing. The combination of young minds and music evokes joy and hope. Unlike the people who have earned gray hair, the music of young people serves as a reminder to the fact that nothing is impossible.

There have been a lot of studies conducted on the influence of music. In the elderly people, music has been shown to not only reduce tension and anxiety but also helps reduce the feeling of isolation and solitude. And a surprising revelation of this study was that the subjects enrolled for this study showed an increased production of human growth hormone, which has a positive effect on the side effects of aging like wrinkling, osteoporosis, general aches and pains and even sexual function.

Health practitioners can draw an important inference from this study. It shows that group activity and interaction with others is important for staying healthy and having a better standard of living. It proves the long held belief that music is a means to link with our higher selves and thereby help us lead a healthy life that can be enjoyed to the fullest.

Have you ever seen someone playing Piano with help of sheet music? It’s a popular phenomenon in playing and learning music. Music sheets are a guide to musicians and other people having interest in learning some kind of music. Even the music instructors in live music classes give stress on learning through songs sheets.

Learning To Play Piano with Piano Music Sheets

Piano is among the most popular music instruments. People love playing Piano and listening Piano music. Let me tell you that, playing Piano is not rocket science. You can learn it by joining a music class for piano lessons. Even if you are not having enough time to join Piano classes then you can learn it online without any difficulty. You just need to know the basics of music and various symbols. If you are aware with music symbols and their implementation on music instruments, then you can learn to play Piano without any problem.

However, it doesn’t mean that if you are not aware with the music symbols and their respective keys on your favorite instrument then you cannot learn playing Piano. There are several online video tutorials available that instruct you about how to use Piano Sheets for learning music.

Online Piano Learning – a Child’s Play

Learning Piano through online piano sheets is very easy, you just need a little consistency and dedication towards learning this art. Online music learning has several advantages, as you don’t have to stick with a routine to attend your classes and practices. The websites that offer online piano lessons focuses on step by step learning making the process of learning music easier for newbie’s in this field. You can take your piano lessons through music sheets at your preferred time.

You will be surprised to know that, if you want to play any specific song on your Piano and you cannot wait for previous lessons to finish then you can do this with help of special songs sheet being offered by piano learning websites. You can find the music sheet for your favorite songs and start playing it on your piano. Through this way you can delight your parents, spouse or beloved by playing their favorite song on eve of their birthday or anniversaries. It will be one of the best gifts for your loved ones showing the passion in your relation.

In a country that is rapidly transforming itself in music, it is interesting to note that in such a burgeoning moment which has seen the rapid rise in Sierra Leone music, the country can boast of only one outstanding music school – the Ballanta music academy. A school that has undoubtedly brought an internationally high standardized level of the art of music to Sierra Leone.

The school has definitely taken the lead in conveying home classical intellectual music doctrine in Sierra Leone. But the question is; has it brought the necessary change and scholarly knowhow to propel the vibrant but usually amateur Sierra Leone music scene?

The institution has not only delivered entertainment value in terms of music and the art of dancing, but it is also promoting and educating people on performance of group concert for international level.

The academy which was set up to foster the growth of musical knowledge offers classes on various subjects in music, such as voice performance and techniques, guitar, trumpet, piano xylophone handling, choreography and stage performance.

Interestingly, the institution has not only been a source of learning for many who seek supplementary knowledge in music and dancing, the Ballanta Academy has crucially become a port of call for most leading cooperate business organizations who usually contact the academy for unique performances in their company events or when they wish to promote music.

During the inauguration ceremony of President Ernest Bai Koroma, Ballanta Academy made a stunning live musical performance at the national stadium.

Moreover, members of the Ballanta music group have been making tours in some African countries and countries as far as Malaysia to do some live music gig.

However, despite this the institution has come under criticism in the past and now for portraying too little African or Sierra Leonean style.  According to Ballanta’s Joseryl Beckley, who has a Masters in Music in the US, the Academy reflects both African and Western culture, but the overwhelming aspect of it curriculum, performance and teaching patterns are based on Western style. Beckley told Sierra Eye Magazine that the academy is not only limiting its scope on western style of music but can deal with some aspect of African music.

“The instruments we are teaching to students are western instrument, but at the same time we encourage singers to sing in their native language. Also we have plans to incorporate African instrument in our syllabus. Very recently we dispatched two of our staff to research on African music styles and values up the provinces.

“As a part of that enterprise we also collaborated with a music scholar, professor Amadi to research on local songs and drumming. He went to the provinces to meet with famous local musicians in different parts of the country orientating them about Ballanta’s approach. Furthermore there are some local gospel artists coming for voice audition and instrument training,” she said.

Some observers have also been quick to come to the defense of the academy, notable dramatist; Dr. Julius Spencer expressed content over the performance of the academy in Sierra Leone. He said Ballanta is a useful institution that provides training that is really not easily available in this part of the world. He noted that there are so much that our local musical artists can learn from the academy.

He cited an instance when some local musician whom he described as ‘singers’ turned down a free offer given to them by Celtel two years ago to go for some training at Ballanta.

“Besides that opportunity, if our musicians are determined enough they can go to Ballanta to enrich their talent,” said Dr. Spencer.

Raymond De Souza George, lecturer in the Department of African studies, FBC said Ballanta

has been doing good work over the years in enhancing music in Sierra Leone. The dramatist and poet said the institution gives the opportunity to various forms of arts even the musician not just to learn the trade but to be expert and proficient in their discipline that they love and survive by.

He said musician always think they know everything, “As long as they have those ideas and notion to frown at other people’s ideas, they would hardly meet their goals. If our local stars want to polish their skills, Ballanta is one area they should consult,” he said.

In the cultural aspect, Raymond Souza George said Ballanta is trying to reflect both African and Western style in their music performances.

“But for me I am not too particular about Africanness because of being an African. If Ballanta thinks they are second rated in presenting African culture in their performance, then it is a sweet-sour matter. If they think western culture can improve their performance than let them go ahead,” he said.

Paul Parkinson, gospel musician and music producer does not believe so; he expressed disappointment over Ballanta music approach in the training they offer to their students. “Ballanta can train people to sing but the institution cannot offer people the different kind of music they should sing. In training somebody how to sing you should first know what kind of music the person can sing better.

Winner of the Rock Your world Make Me a Star Competition early this year, Danny Strasser-Williams who bagged Le 20 million for emerging as the judge’s favorite said that he owes his pristine musical skills to Ballanta. “I learnt a lot whilst I was there before the Star Search competition, a musician can surely polish himself at Ballanta with the variety of courses on offer. But the downside of the academy is that they are not that equipped to handle what we usually refer to in Sierra Leone as Baimbaeskay (popular mix melody containing various rhythms and voice styles). They have a much more classical tutorial approach that would hardly suit the style of the generally limited local musician,” said Danny who is working on his first solo album since winning the prestigious award.

However, Danny observed that local musicians have a lot to learn at Ballanta.Nana Menta of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ said she has heard about the ‘good things’ the academy offers to people and has decided to join  them.

However, she observed that in order to be more accessible the academy should tend to streamline it programmes to the need of the local musician by creating a new focus on current musical trends in the country. She also called on the academy to lower its charges for training sessions.

Famed female musician, Lady Laurish who was one of the local musicians who turned down the offer given to her by Celtel two years ago to join Ballanta;  told Sierra Eye she regretted it for not honoring the offer. She said she denied the offer because it coincided with her trip to Abidjan by then, but the artist has resolved her mind to join the academy soon.