Singers have fun at choir camp

Singers of all ages came together at Trafalgar Castle School in Whitby on July 12 for a day of choral music, camp activities and worshiping together as part of the Toronto Diocesan Choir School. Our choir camp, fondly renamed the Summer Music Camp Day, has a more than 50-year history as a girls’ residential camp, but since the pandemic we have pivoted to day programs to support choral music within the diocese. Going forward, we are looking to expand our enrollment and rebuild with a new vision.

Since many church choirs are struggling to find a full complement of singers, especially involving youth, we decided to promote intergenerational SATB choral singing and activities as a way of reaching out and supporting interested parish singers. We have discovered that this intergenerational choral workshop approach is very effective and motivational, and it promotes a wonderful sense of fellowship and community.

This year’s Summer Music Camp Day was attended by 39 singers of various vocal ranges (SATB) from across the diocese. The day featured a choral workshop where we focused on vocal technique and learned “Three Contemporary Latin Settings” by Jerry Estes. After choir practice, attendees enjoyed the camp’s favourite sport, Crocker, a catered picnic lunch, a musical theatre sing-along and a round of frisbee golf (“Frolf”). We ended our day by recording our musical pieces and singing a service of thanksgiving in the chapel led by the Rev. Canon Philip Hobson.

We are looking forward to hosting other diocesan choir camp days throughout the year at various churches. If your church is interested in hosting and promoting an event, we would be pleased to help you with planning, preparation and delivery, as well as helping to cover the cost of music, a clinician and refreshments. We are open to suggestions and would love to hear from you! Contact Mary at [email protected] for inquires and further information. You can also find updates on our website at www.tdchoircamp.com.

We look forward to hearing from you and helping to support your church music program.