Campers set memories to music

Memories may fade, but their music will remain forever.
A group of children with various physical and intellectual disabilities came together to experience the power of music and the strength of their abilities at a summer camp.
Metalworks Institute of Sound & Music Production, located near Mavis and Burnhamthorpe Rds., was the venue for a one-of-a-kind workshop for 15 children from Friends of We Care, an organization that helps physically disabled children to go to summer camps through the Easter Seals camping programs.  
The music camp took place today, Saturday, July 26.
David Leask, a songwriter from Metalworks, and his team of volunteers, gently coaxed and coached the children to translate their 10-day camp experience into lyrics for a song that would ultimately lend itself to melody.
And soon, random words strung together became a song about friendships, memories and freedom.
The children spent the first half of the day brainstorming and the rest of the day in the studio recording the song.
“For the past 25 years, Friends of We Care has been sending physically disabled children to summer camps, so we thought we would come up with our own music camp,” said Julie Hoffmann, promotions director of Metalworks. “We wanted to give these kids an opportunity or a sneak preview to experience what goes on in the music world and how studios work.”
Paul Manieri, 15, of Etobicoke, wanted the lyrics to convey freedom.
“The camp is about doing what I want to do without my parents telling me what to do,” Manieri said, with a laugh. “Before this, I never thought I would be good at making music. I guess I proved myself wrong.”
The campers not only created and recorded the song, they created album covers as well.
“Children with disabilities don't ask for a whole lot,” said Kevin Collins, executive director of Friends of We Care. “They only want an opportunity. Through the generosity of Metalworks and their team, these kids have been given an opportunity. Some of them may turn out to be musicians, technicians whatever, but this is an opportunity for them to learn and help them gain confidence.”  
In the end, Manieri and his friends' song, 10 Days Last Forever, turned out to be, as their lyrics say, a poignant reminder of an oasis of friendship, warmer than the sun, full of fun.

rpanjwani@mississauga.net