Performing arts students are invited to NIU Jazz Camp and Theatre Arts Camp Junior are scheduled for July 10 – 15.

DeKALB COUNTY

YMCA to serve lunch to needy children

Children who rely on low-cost lunch plans during the school year are at risk of going hungry when school’s not in session.

The Kishwaukee Family YMCA invites children younger than 18 in DeKalb County to join them for free meals this summer. Meals are open to any child in the community and do not have to be members of the YMCA. Meals will be served at the following locations:

•  Kishwaukee Family YMCA, 2500 W. Bethany Road, Sycamore; noon Monday-Friday through Aug. 23.
• University Village, 722 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb; 11:30 a.m. Monday-Thursday through Aug. 18.
• Liberty Park, 10th and Lewis streets, DeKalb; noon Tuesdays and Thursdays through Aug. 11.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, around 22 million children receive free or reduced-cost meals through the National School Lunch Program, but only 2.7 million of these children continue to receive meals through the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program.

The YMCA’s Summer Food Program helps fill that gap to make sure kids can enjoy healthy meals and snacks throughout the summer. On a national level, the Y and Wal-Mart Foundation are partnering to provide 5 million meals and snacks to 250,000 kids and teens this summer. 

Last year 12,153 meals were served to children in the Y summer camp program and children throughout DeKalb County. The Y has collaborated with Wal-Mart Foundation and locally, Voluntary Action Center to serve meals to children through the Summer Food Program.

To find out about the Summer Food Program, contact Lesley Feyerherm at lfeyerherm@kishymca.org or (815) 756-9577.

SYCAMORE

High school musicians win state honors

The Sycamore High School music department was recently awarded fifth place in the 2015-2016 Illinois High School Association State ranking, while the Sycamore High School orchestra placed third overall in state for Class A ranking.

This is the sixth straight year that the Sycamore High School music department has placed in the top five in Class A, and its 11th straight top 10 finish. This honor is the result of the combined effort from the band, choir and orchestra programs and their participation in the Solo/Ensemble Contest along with the Organizational Contest.

The IHSA governs the equitable participation in interscholastic athletics and activities that enrich the educational experience.

DeKALB

Summer camp designed for young arts students

Theater, visual arts and instrumental jazz are on the summer camp agenda at Northern Illinois University this summer. At Summer in the Arts, junior high and high school students live on campus and work with NIU faculty, alumni and students, gain a greater appreciation for the life of an artist, and experience their art in a different way.

NIU Jazz Camp and Theatre Arts Camp Junior are scheduled for July 10 – 15.

NIU Jazz Camp attracts instrumentalists in grades 8 – 12 who want to take their jazz playing to the next level. Campers rehearse and perform in a big band, combo, or Latin Jazz Combo, preparing for the final day concert. Master classes, concerts, jazz theory, improvisation, jam sessions, sectionals and optional private lessons are part of the daily curriculum. The camp is under the direction of Geof Bradfield, noted saxophonist and jazz studies faculty member at NIU.

Theatre Arts Camp Junior is designed for theater buffs who have completed grades 6 – 9. Campers enjoy daily classes, individual coaching sessions, theater games and rehearsals for the final day performance. Workshop choices include auditioning, acting, musical theatre, stage combat, make-up and more. Camp director Nathan Wyman is professor of theatre at William Jewell College near Kansas City.

To register or for more information, visit niu.edu/extprograms/summer-camps/.

Drum corps champs will vie for new honors

The sounds of drums and bugles will return to Northern Illinois University’s Huskie Stadium as the Tour of Champions makes it annual appearance on July 17. Eight of the top 12 drum corps champions will participate.

The groups competing are the Blue Devils of Concord, California; Blue Knights of Denver; Santa Clara Vanguard of Santa Clara, California; Carolina Crown of Fort Mill, South Carolina; Bluecoats of Canton, Ohio; The Cadets of Allentown, Pennsylvania; The Cavaliers of Rosemont; and the host corps Phantom Regiment of Rockford.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the contest starts at 7 p.m. Tour of Champions tickets can be purchased from FunME Events, 650 Peace Road, Suite F, DeKalb. Call FunME at (815) 756-1263 or Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.

SANDWICH

Antiques Sunday is July 10 at fairgrounds

Monthly markets of quality antiques, collectibles and re-purposed and garden items are held at Sandwich Fairgrounds, 1401 Suydam Road, Sandwich. The next show will be held 8 a.m.-4 p.m. July 10. Admission is $5. Children 12 are younger will be admitted free.

–DeKalb County News Briefs–