Day 5: Ensemble and Concert Choir Arrive!
The Ecco campers woke up today for a breakfast of scrambled eggs, potatoes, and sausage. Conductor Eric led an animated and active warm up to get ready for the day. Ecco went off to theory class until the Concert Choir and Ensemble buses came. After Ensemble and Concert Choir had disembarked, Ecco welcomed the new campers with a short performance, in the spirit of Choir Camp. They sang a rousing spiritual called Old Time Religion as the younger singers watched attentively. Ecco went on to their usual morning rehearsal while Ensemble and Concert Choir singers settled into their cabins. They enjoyed the welcoming decorations that the Ecco campers had made for the cabins the night before!
After a theory class placement test, Ensemble and Concert Choir joined Ecco campers for lunch of DIY sandwiches and salads. Lunch was followed by the first day of camp ritual: med check, voice check, and swim check. Each camper made sure they'd be ready for the next twelve days by meeting with Dr. Greg, singing for their conductor, and taking a swim test at the lake. Campers were able to spend some quality time hanging out at the lake while they waited for their swim tests.
All the campers made their way to recital after their checks. First we heard from voice teacher Laura Storm and her talented clarinetist husband in a duet of three Mexican songs. Their lovely performance was followed by a vocal performance by Concert Choir counselor Emily. Ecco singer Jonah, who gave us such an exciting performance last night, came back tonight for an encore. He performed Grow for Me from Little Shop of Horrors. Finally, a group of counselors closed out recital with an arrangement of Cape Breton Lullaby, a song from Canada that makes it into camp lullabies every year.
Walker Creek Ranch prepared us a turkey dinner tonight, complete with mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy. Following fruit crisp for dessert, the Ensemble and Concert Choir campers headed to their first rehearsal of the year and the mentees of each group learned a bit about their new conductors. Then we all gathered at the amphitheater for a moving and calming campfire. We sang cheesy campfire songs, then the campers introduced themselves and each threw small sticks into the fire which they dedicated to a person, friendships, or new musical memories to make at camp.
We are excited for our first full day of camp tomorrow with almost all of our campers now with us!
DAY 5 PHOTOS
(Click to enlarge)
