Blue Lake’s Choir Program is designed to challenge students of all proficiency levels. Our highly regarded faculty provide a wide range of instructional and performance opportunities. Students explore repertoire from a variety of musical styles and historical periods and practice fundamental skills in sight singing, breath management, tone production, stage presence, diction, solo and ensemble singing, and basic musicianship. Choir majors receive five hours of intensive daily rehearsal, sectionals and vocal technique classes.

Students can complete their instructional experience by choosing a Minor, allowing them to experience another area of interest while at camp. Click here for a complete listing of minor courses. Students also have the opportunity to hear various faculty and staff performances presented as a part of Blue Lake’s Summer Arts Festival, as well as participate in recreational activities and other camp events.

Students will be grouped by ability in either the SATB Choir or the SSA(A) Choir. The audition will evaluate tone quality, vocal independence and sight reading ability. Camp concludes with a performance for parents and the public that features all three of our choirs.

SATB Choir
A mixed choir of soprano, alto, tenor, and bass voices: Challenging repertoire, equivalent to the MSVMA Intermediate level, will be studied and performed.

SSA(A) Choir
A choir of soprano and alto voices with high audition scores: The repertoire studied and performed will be equivalent to the MSVMA Intermediate and Advanced levels.

Chamber Choir
An advanced small ensemble of soprano, alto, tenor and bass voices with the highest audition scores: Members of the Chamber Choir will also sing in the SATB Choir. Repertoire selected will challenge even the most experienced singer.

Session II Chamber Choir
A special opportunity is available for the Chamber Choir during Session II only. Chamber Choir students will rehearse and perform Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with members of the choir faculty, the Staff Choir and Vocal Ensemble, and special guest choir Domkantorei St. Martin from Mainz, Germany. This performance will be conducted by Mathias Breitschaft and featured as a live broadcast on Blue Lake Public Radio. More information regarding the audition process for this opportunity will be available at the Blue Lake website after January 1, 2008.



International Exchange Program
During the summer sessions, each choir student will have the opportunity to audition or interview for the International Choral Ensemble, which will tour Europe in the summer of 2009 as part of Blue Lake’s International Exchange Program. The ‘08 International Choral Ensemble is under the direction of Mark Webb, coordinator of Blue Lake’s Choir Program. For additional information on this exciting opportunity, click here.

All Choir students will be required to pay a $50 materials fee.