Every year, the Brighton High School Choirs hosts A Cappella Camp, an event in which high school students help mentor fourth-eighth graders on how to sing a cappella, a style of singing that does not involve instrumental accompaniment. Though the camp ran from Tuesday, Sept. 30 to Wednesday, Oct. 1, it culminated in a final performance at Scranton Idol, a vocal competition for students at Scranton Middle School, on Thursday, Oct. 2.
However, the goal of the event is not just to teach the kids how to sing but to inspire them to continue singing.
“The goal of A Cappella Camp is to inspire kids of all ages to sing loud and proud,” senior Piper Barnes, who served as a mentor at the camp, said. “We all work towards skill, togetherness and most importantly, having fun.”
The camp also works to encourage lower school students to be excited to join the high school choir. The friendly atmosphere of the camp and the connections formed between counselors and campers help convince campers to stick with choir as they continue through their schooling.
“My favorite part of A Cappella Camp is when our campers are so enthusiastic about singing that we see them continue in our choir program,” Barnes said. “It warms my heart to see kids following in the footsteps of the counselors they admire.”
The camp also provides a valuable experience for the counselors. For instance, counselors gain teaching experience during the camp.
Senior Noah Reams described how, through being a counselor, he “learned that kids are capable of so much when they have the right teacher and learning environment.”
In addition, Barnes described the camp as being a highly rewarding experience, saying that the “campers are some of the funniest and most enthusiastic people [she has] ever met.”
“I absolutely love watching them grow through the short time we have together,” Barnes said.
After two days of hard work and fun, campers and their counselors came together to prepare for a final performance, in which the campers sang the piece they prepared throughout camp at Scranton Idol. This year, they sang “Free Fallin’” by Tom Petty.
“Everyone from our wonderful soloists to our newest campers worked hard and pulled off a wonderful performance!” Barnes said after the performance.
This sentiment was echoed by Reams, who added that he was “so proud of all of them!”
