A new camp joins the lineup of residential activities taking place this summer at Abilene Christian University as 50 high school students converge on campus for ACU’s first All-State Choir Camp June 29 – July 2.

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The high school vocalists – representing both large and small schools from the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Andrews, Sweetwater, San Angelo, Big Spring and Leander – will hone all aspects of choral musicianship while also preparing for the ​​Texas Music Educators Association All-State Choir audition process. High school choral professionals from around the state, as well as ACU music faculty, will serve as professional staff at the camp.

“I’m thrilled with the interest in our camp and excited to kick off this new event at ACU,” said Dr. Jeff Goolsby, assistant professor of music and director of choral studies. “Beyond simply preparing for All-State auditions, we’ll focus on experiences in leadership, service, community-building and being a well-rounded singer. The All-State music will be a vehicle to grow the students’ skills and musical sensitivity.”

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In addition, Remel Derrick will serve as composer-in-residence for the camp. Derrick, a 2012 graduate of ACU, is the associate director of choirs at Abilene High School and an accomplished composer, conductor and church musician. His new piece, commissioned specifically for this camp, will debut at an end-of-camp concert. Derrick also will lead breakout sessions on composing, arranging and music theory.

ACU students majoring in music education are serving as camp counselors, working alongside faculty and professional staff in rehearsals and sectionals. The college students will lead “Morning Meetings” with warm-ups and social-emotional learning activities, as well as participate in all rehearsals.

The camp culminates in a public concert where campers will perform and demonstrate what they’ve learned at the Williams Performing Arts Center Recital Hall, Saturday, July 2, at 2:30 p.m.

Learn more about ACU’s All-State Choir Camp and ACU’s Department of Music.

Other residential activities taking place at ACU this summer include New Student Orientation, Leadership Camps and ACU Sports camps.

— Wendy Kilmer

June 29, 2022