Lamar University’s Department of Music, Theatre and Dance welcomed 385 local high school students for a week of music, fellowship and leadership activities at the largest choir camp in LU’s history.
The intensive program, held July 21-25, introduced students to the repertoire for the All-Region and All-State Choir auditions. The schedule included sectional and full rehearsals, sight-reading classes, diction classes, voice classes and lectures. Evenings were filled with recitals, recreational activities and a talent show.
Eduardo Garcia-Novelli, Lamar University’s director of choral activities, took over leadership of the choir camp in 2002. Sixteen students participated that first year. In the six years since, Garcia-Novelli has led the camp to its current enrollment of hundreds of students.
“It’s an immense sense of accomplishment,” said Garcia-Novelli. He credits high school educators who teach at the camp for its success. “We made it happen together and without them it would not be possible.”
In addition to the choir instructors, the camp was supported by 25 counselors and a camp manager, Debbie Prihoda. A Lamar graduate, Prihoda is co-director of the choral department at Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School.
Students gain a great deal from their experience at choir camp. “They eat, sleep and breathe the music when they’re here,” Prihoda said. “We featured breakout sessions on careers in music and private coaching sessions on choral technique.”
Information on careers in music was especially interesting to Kaitlin Borden, a Nederland High School senior, who aspires to be an opera singer. This is the third year the All-State Choir member has attended Lamar’s camp. She said the camp was “a great experience. It looks good on your resume, and the people who teach at camp are amazing.”
Lance Orta, a junior, from Nederland High School, said, “It means a lot to make All-State Choir. It’s a really good opportunity and you meet a lot of people who are passionate about music.”
For more information about the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance at Lamar University, please visit dept.lamar.edu/cofac/deptmtd.
