Choirs
Training to sing with heart, soul, mind, and strength for the glory of God.
Jeff Swanson, Franklin Miller, Daniel Yutzy
Ryan Kimberlin
Franklin Miller, Ivan Godoy, Lyle Stutzman
Brandon Mullet
Lloyd Kauffman
Jeff Swanson
Gwendolyn Good
Regina Brubaker
Kristin Nolt
Jeff Swanson
Jeff Swanson
Ryan Kimberlin
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 2025
Rosemary Eberly-Lebold
Not offered in 2025
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 2025
Dwilyn Beiler
Not offered in 2025
Chamber Choir
Conductor: Wendell Nisly
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 2025 Chamber Choir total $165.
When and where is Chamber Choir touring in 2025?
The Chamber Choir plans to tour the New England states in 2025. Following the VA camp, they will tour from June 9-14, with programs Monday-Friday.
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.
What is the repertoire for Chamber Choir this year?
The 2025 Chamber Choir repertoire will include the 2024 selections (see list below) as well as some new choral pieces and songs from Into His Presence.
“This is the Day” – attr. to Osbert Parsley
“A Joyful Noise” – Jacob Narverud
“Take My Hand and Lead Me” – arr. Larry Nickel
“Sicut Cervus” – Palestrina
“The Birds Upon the Treetops” – arr. Lyle Stutzman
“Blue Bird” – Charles Villiers Stanford
“Shout to the Lord (Mwimbieni Bwana)” – arr. David Angerman
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.
