Choirs
Training to sing with heart, soul, mind, and strength for the glory of God.
Ivan Godoy, Daniel Yutzy
Jeff Swanson
Wendell Glick, Ryan Kimberlin, Lloyd Kauffman
Franklin Miller
Wendell Glick
Lyle Stutzman
Kristin Nolt
Deana Swanson, Rosemary Eberly
Kristin Nolt
Sarah Sommers
Nolan Martin
Jeff Swanson
Optional. Sign up to sing!
This choir rehearses once a day in the late afternoon or early evening and sings 2-3 songs at the final program.
Not offered in 2026
Rosemary Eberly-Lebold
Not offered in 2026
Optional. Sign up to sing!
This choir rehearses once a day in the late afternoon or early evening and sings 2-3 songs at the final program.
Not offered in 2026
Lloyd Kauffman
Not offered in 2026
Chamber Choir
Conductor: Franklin Miller
This choir rehearses three times daily, Monday-Friday, using Class Period III for one of the rehearsals. Additional rehearsals are required during the Opening Weekend; see the VA camp page for details.
- An additional application is required for acceptance into this choir.
- An audio file is required with the application.
- Singers receive their music in advance. A schedule of advanced learning and memorization will be provided by the conductor to enable choir members to arrive at camp with pitches, rhythms, and the general character of the music learned.
- Those who apply are strongly encouraged to receive a minimum of three (3) sessions of vocal coaching before coming to camp.
The application fee ($130) and music costs ($35) for the 2026 Chamber Choir total $165.
When and where is Chamber Choir touring in 2026?
The 2026 Chamber Choir will tour the week after camp traveling in a south easterly direction arriving back in Virginia on Saturday. Programs will be scheduled Monday – Friday, June 15-19, at a variety of venues: a few concert type programs with others more interactive and educational.
Tour fees will be dependent on the final itinerary and number of singers. (Estimated cost is $300-500.) Fees will be due upon arrival at camp.
MONDAY, JUNE 15, 7:30 PM
Botetourt Funeral Home
Buchanan, VA
TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 7:00 PM
Dayspring Christian Fellowship
Hiddenite, NC
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 7:00 PM
Waynesboro Mennonite School
Waynesboro, GA
FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 7:00 PM
Kempsville Mennonite Church
Kempsville, VA
What is the repertoire for Chamber Choir this year?
- Little Brown Church
- Calm Me Lord As You Calmed the Storm
- Be My Peace
- Word Was God
- Gentle Words
- Hallelujah
- Been in the Storm
- We Shall Remember
- When Memory Fades
- Hark, I Hear Harps Eternal
- How Can I Keep from Singing
Who can apply for Chamber Choir?
How do I know if I am ready to apply for Chamber Choir?
Participation in Chamber Choir requires a minimum level of competence in music fundamentals as follows:
- Sight singing (equivalent of SCMC Sight Singing 2)
- Rudiments (equivalent of SCMC Rudiments 3)
- Voice training (equivalent of SCMC Class Voice or at least three private lessons)
- Prior choir experience
Music must be learned independently before arriving at camp. If you are not ready now, is it within reach in the future? Yes! This is one of the purposes of music camp. Several years of camp will help you to strengthen your skills and confidence. Chamber Choir is offered as a culmination of the camper’s choir experience and musical education at SCMC.
How do I prepare my audio file?
Your audio file needs to include:
- Demonstration of your low vocal range, begin at a comfortable middle range and sing a descending scale on “ah” (as in father) to your lowest range.
- Demonstration of your high vocal range, begin at a comfortable middle range and sing an ascending scale on “ah” (as in father) to your highest range.
- Sing a major scale ascending and descending.
- Sing two verses of Angels Holy, High And Lowly (tune Windermere, #79 in Hymns of the Church, #30 in The Mennonite Hymnal, and #573 in the Church Hymnal) at a comfortable range.
- Sing a song of your choosing that demonstrates your vocal ability.
Please note that file size is limited to 4MB, and that your Chamber Choir application will not be processed without the audio file. On the Chamber Choir section of the application, you will be given an opportunity to upload your audio file or to choose to email the file to [email protected].
How do I apply and what happens next?
- Check the “I want to apply for Chamber Choir” box on the application form and complete the required info, including the submission of your audio file.
- Pay the $165 additional fee for Chamber Choir. (Students not accepted into chamber choir, but attending camp will have this fee applied to their tuition or materials costs. Students not accepted into chamber choir and not attending camp will have this fee, minus a $30 administrative fee, refunded.)
- Submit your application by February 15, 2025.
- Send the evaluation form to one of your musical references.
- You will receive a response via email regarding acceptance after February 28. Your enrollment at the camp is not dependent on your acceptance into the Chamber Choir.
- You will receive the music and some audio files via email at least 2 months prior to camp week.
- Communication from the conductor regarding learning the music will occur via email.
Chamber Singers
Conductor: Wendell Glick
Chamber Singers is an add-on, non-touring auditioned choir available to full-time and part-time adult students that rehearses on registration Sunday after the hymn sing (8:15—9:15) and Monday through Friday during Class Period III (4:20—5:20).
- All chamber singers must be at least 18 years old on the first day of camp.
- Application for Chamber Singers is through the standard adult camp application form. An audio file is required with the application.
- Singers receive their music in advance, and are expected to arrive at camp with pitches, rhythms, and the general character of the music learned. Music will be sung from memory at the choral festivals.
Who can apply for Chamber Singers?
Singers who are at least 18 years old by the first day of camp willing to invest in personal and musical growth may apply for Chamber Singers. Prior experience in music instruction and singing is recommended and detailed below.
How do I know if I am ready to apply for Chamber Singers?
Participation in Chamber Singers requires advancing competence in sight singing, rudiments, and vocal ability, along with prior choir experience. Applicants must have taken Rudiments II and Sight-singing II (or be able to demonstrate equivalence another way), and are strongly encouraged to receive at least three sessions of private vocal coaching/lessons before coming to camp. Preference will be given to applicants who have taken voice lessons or class voice. Music must be learned independently before arriving at camp and will be sung from memory at the choral festivals.
If you are not ready now, is it within reach in the future? Yes! This is one of the purposes of music camp. Several years of camp will help you to strengthen your skills and confidence. Chamber Singers is offered as a culmination of the camper’s choir experience and musical education at SCMC.
Full-time Students
Apply using the adult registration form and select Chamber Singers during Class Period III as your second class (take one other class in Period I or Period II). You will submit an audio recording of yourself singing the melody of a provided hymn (details below). Full-time students who apply for Chamber Singers but are not accepted will take another class instead (from any class period). Full-time students will also participate in Mixed Choir and Mass Choir. There is no additional fee other than the cost of music ($20) for full-time students, as the application fee, tuition, and meals are included in the full-time camper fees.
Part-time Students
Apply using the adult registration form and choose Chamber Singers during Class Period III. You will submit an audio recording of yourself singing the melody of a provided hymn (details below). Part-time students who select Chamber Singers will also select at least one additional camp choir (Mixed Choir, Men’s/Women’s Choir, and/or Mass Choir). It is expected that part-time chamber singers will join the weekday suppers. Cost for part-time students is $225, including application fee, tuition, music, and suppers on Monday through the final Sunday. Tuition and music costs of any additional choirs are not included.
How do I prepare my audio file?
Your audio file needs to include one verse of All Creatures of Our God and King. It does not need to be in the key indicated; find a pitch range that best suits your voice.
Please note that file size is limited to 4MB. On the Chamber Singers section of the application, you will be given an opportunity to upload your audio file or to choose to email the file to [email protected].
What happens next?
You will be notified via email of the results of your audition. Full-time students who are not accepted into Chamber Singers will be placed in an additional class instead of Chamber Singers, based on what was selected as a back-up class option on the application. Part-time students who are not accepted into Chamber Singers will be able to receive a tuition refund and/or modify their application to a different choir or class.
Vocal Ensemble
Conductor: Ryan Kimberlin
Vision:
We endeavor to cultivate an experience that is relationally, musically, and spiritually rewarding—a journey that challenges singers personally while building camaraderie as humble servants to our audience. Through shared choral worship, we strive to create moments where hearts are lifted and voices unite in a common purpose. Our repertoire blends the fresh with the familiar, drawing from both old and new works that are accessible to singers and listeners alike, yet offer musical challenges that foster growth and deepen motivation.
Additional Cost:
$50 (refundable if not accepted)
What is the repertoire for Vocal Ensemble this year?
Who can apply for Vocal Ensemble?
How do I know if I am ready to apply for Vocal Ensemble?
Participation in the Vocal Ensemble requires basic competence in sight singing and rudiments, reasonable vocal ability, and prior choir experience. You will receive your music before camp and must be able to learn your pitches and rhythms reasonably well before coming to camp.
Prerequisites:
Applicants must have taken Rudiments II and Sight-singing II or equivalent. Preference will be given to applicants who have taken voice lessons or class voice.
How do I prepare my audio file?
Your audio file needs to include one verse of All Creatures of Our God and King at a comfortable range.
Please note that file size is limited to 4MB, and that your Vocal Ensemble application will not be processed without the audio file. On the Vocal Ensemble section of the application, you will be given an opportunity to upload your audio file or to choose to email the file to [email protected].
How do I apply and what happens next?
Applicants must apply during registration and choose the Vocal Ensemble option. You will be provided a common hymn to sing for the audition, and you will be asked to send in a recording of yourself singing the melody of the hymn. You will be notified via email of the results of your audition. If you are not accepted into the Vocal Ensemble, you will be placed in a mixed choir at camp.
