At Kenyon College (Gambier, Ohio)

Choir camp is a valuable part of a chorister’s life. Once a year, the young people from the choirs of St. Paul’s pack their belongings and set off for a week of music and fun at Kenyon College, a beautiful, leafy campus situated in the small town of Gambier, mid-Ohio. Choristers take part in many different activities, including learning new repertoire, singing Compline (Night Prayer), making art and crafts, participating in sports and games, as well as just hanging out with their friends.

Choir Camp 2011

Twenty-one boys and girls and six adults traveled to Kenyon College yet again for our 2011 Choir Camp, held June 12–16. Our time together focused on how to create and foster harmonious relationships, within the choir and without. Led by the Rev. Mark Pruitt (Rector), Jerry Smith (Director of Student Ministries), Kent Quade (choir parent), and Daniel Fortune (Organist and Choirmaster), we looked at scriptural recipes for harmony, along with fun engaging group games. Also, long-time camp leaders Mary Blumberg and Lois Tullis helped us explore Native American aspects of harmony and spirituality through crafts and other delightful and wonderfully educational activities each day.

One of the highlights of the week was singing a service of Compline (Night Prayer) at Quarry Chapel, a short distance from the college, with over 30 people from the surrounding community in attendance. The boys and girls each sang a piece themselves by J.S. Bach (in German!), as well as singing together a beloved setting of "Ave Maria." That experience was a lovely culmination to a busy but productive week of rehearsals and activities.