We’d like to take this opportunity to invite your Carmel Choir student to attend Show Choir Camps of America this summer. This is a fabulous music enrichment opportunity that is available within a short drive. You can find the information at www.showchoircamps.com. Show Choir Camp is a wonderful opportunity for students to spend a week of their summer learning more about singing and dancing, working with master teachers and performers, getting to know other students with a passion for performing, and making memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. All three of the Carmel choir directors have been involved with Show Choir Camps of America for many years, and we cannot recommend it enough. Our very own Ambassadors & Accents choreographer, Dwight Jordan, is one of the founders of the camp and it has been in existence for over 30 years.
There are two camp weeks to choose from. The first is in Decatur, Illinois at Millikin University from June 18th – 24th. The second is in Tiffin, Ohio at Heidelberg University from July 9th – 15th. The camps are basically identical, but just in two separate locations. In the past, we have had a larger group from Carmel attending the Ohio camp, but last year some students opted for the Illinois camp and still had a great time. At least one of the Carmel HS Choral Directors will be attending the Ohio camp.
Hopefully, the following information will give you a better idea of what to expect during the week of camp. Students arrive on their own during registration hours on the first Sunday of camp. Registration usually begins around 12pm and goes until 4pm, but we recommend arriving early to avoid lines, get settled into your dorm and audition for additional ensembles if interested. On the registration day, students are assigned to a specific dorm on campus. They will have one roommate, and they can request a specific person in advance if they want.
Once they are settled in their dorm, on the first night (Sunday), there is a guest show choir that does a performance for the camp. There is also a meet and greet activity for the kids to get to know their counselors and clinicians. Monday morning, they are assigned to a performance group and they begin rehearsals. These groups are not leveled by ability. In fact, they are a deliberate mix of students from all levels of singing and dancing background. Their days are made up of rehearsal with their group and workshops that they can choose. There is a wide variety of workshops throughout the week. Some are vocal, some are related to dance, some focus on audition techniques, song-writing, tricks and lifts...you name it. They can choose one to attend each day. They eat their meals in the campus cafeteria and there's a great selection of food at each meal. Evenings consist of guest performance groups, including show choirs, Broadway performers, college acappella groups, talent shows, etc. Every night is something new and fabulous. They also have dances and social events with the other campers. There is a vocal jazz group that the students can try out for, as well as a dance ensemble and talent show. All of these auditions take place on the day of registration, so if a student plans to try out, they should arrive early on the first Sunday.
On Saturday, the final day, each group is assigned a rehearsal time in the morning. Then after lunch (the last meal served in the cafeteria) the concert begins. The concert starts around 1:30pm and usually ends around 3:30pm. Each group performs four songs and dances that they’ve learned throughout the week.
Their staff is hard to reach until a bit closer to the time of registration, but hopefully this answers your questions for now. If you want to attend, you will fill out a registration form and send it directly to the camp with your deposit. DO NOT send registration or money to Carmel High School. A $150 registration fee is required by mid-May, but the remaining balance can be paid when the students arrive at camp in the summer. Once you have registered, please let your CHS Choir Director know so that we can add you to our group registration.
If you have any further questions, feel free to ask any of the choir directors. We encourage all students to have this amazing opportunity to participate in this life-changing week of music.
Register Here:
https://www.showchoircamps.com/registration
