Professor Dan Shuholm directs band rehearsal.

Music Campers Create as They Learn

Worship singers prepare during camp.

For the sixth consecutive summer, Western Baptist's Music Camp gave young musicians an opportunity to learn about and experience the fun of creating music. Music Department Chair, Dr. Virginia Cross was happy to report 109 musicians, ages 9-18, spent a week advancing their skills at the College's day-camp, June 14-18.

"This is the third year we've had over 100 students attend and it's always exciting to watch them learn and progress as they learn from our instructors," she said. Virginia added that for the first time camp leaders took an offering during the final concert. "The audience helped us raise over $400 for camp scholarships for 2005," she said

All week the campers prepared for the Friday night performance which featured an orchestra, small strings and brass groups, a choir and smaller vocal ensembles. One student in particular stood out, Virginia remarked, as he worked through some personal health concerns to remain at camp at play the concert on Friday.  Virginia said that tuba player Dale Hendricks, 12, of Salem's Houck Middle School, suffers from a heart defect which tires him easily.

Upon learning of his ailment, instructors transported his heavy instrument each day up to the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center for practice. The effort paid off as Dale was chosen to play tuba in the Advanced Orchestra on Friday night.

"He was the best tuba player with the best attitude," she said.