July 27, 2005

Children's Choir camp still has openings

by Paula Davenport

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- There are still openings for youngsters who wish to attend summer singing camp Aug. 1-5 with the Southern Illinois Children's Choir, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

The camp is for children in grades three through nine who love to sing. And it culminates with the optional chance to perform at a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game on Saturday, Aug. 6.

The week of fun, music and singing begins with daily 8 a.m. "wake-up/warm-up" exercises in the choir rehearsal room in Altgeld Hall, the castle-like building that's home to the School of Music. Sessions end at 12:30 p.m.

Parents may hear the campers perform on campus at noon, Friday, Aug. 5.

Camp participants have the chance to sing "God Bless America" at Busch Stadium when the Redbirds take on the Atlanta Braves.

The camp fee is $55; camp T-shirts are $10. Appearing at the game is optional and will cost each camper an additional $20.

To sign up, contact Amanda Groves, choir director, at agroves1@yahoo.com or call her at 618/559-2541.

SIUC and the Illinois Arts Council / Carbondale Community Arts Southern Arts Fund provide support for the camp.

Hosting cultural outreach activities is among the goals of Southern at 150: Building Excellence Through Commitment, the long-range plan the University is following as it nears its 150th anniversary in 2019.