Home / News and Information / News - July 2006 / Brewton-Parker College hosts GBC’s Youth Music Camp

Brewton-Parker College hosts GBC’s Youth Music Camp

Taylor Hereford
BPC Director of Marketing

Brewton-Parker College recently hosted the Georgia Baptist Convention’s Youth Music Camp.

A student tries her luck at ringing a large handbell during the GBC’s Youth I Music Camp held June 19-23 on BPC’s main campus in Mount Vernon.

Young musicians from around the state gathered from June 19-23 for activities on BPC’s main campus in Mount Vernon.

"The GBC Youth Music Camp is one of the highlight programs that Georgia Baptists offer to young people in our state,” said Dr. David Smith, president of Brewton-Parker. “I am grateful that Brewton-Parker College was able to host this camp, and I know that the campers were able to grow in their knowledge of music as well as their faith in Jesus Christ."

Dr. Glenn Eernisse, chair of BPC’s Music Division, was also appreciative of the opportunity to host the GBC’s Youth Music Camp. According to Dr. Eernisse, having the chance to bring the camp to Brewton-Parker this year will ultimately benefit everyone involved.

“Hosting the GBC Youth Music Camp at Brewton-Parker College has great benefits for all involved,” said Dr. Eernisse. “The facilities on campus are well suited for the needs of the camp, and the college gains exposure to scores of prospective students. It is a wonderful example of cooperation within the Georgia Baptist family.”

Students were divided into two groups for this year’s Youth Music Camp. Youth I was for those students who completed the seventh or eighth grade. Youth II was made up of high school students and those who have completed their freshman year in college. These Youth II students, who had to successfully complete a music audition prior to the start of camp, made up the first ever GBC All-State Chorus and Orchestra and traveled to Washington, D.C. where they performed at various functions throughout the week.

While at Brewton-Parker, those students in the Youth I Music Camp had the opportunity to learn more about music and also to improve their musical abilities.

Students practice the organ in Saliba Chapel at the GBC’s Youth I Music Camp held June 19-23 on BPC’s main campus in Mount Vernon.

Each student was required to take a test in music theory and was placed in one of four levels of music theory classes. Students were also expected to be a member of the choir, with full choir and sectional rehearsals held each day of the camp.

In addition to music theory and membership in the choir, students were required to take an instrumental class which was held every morning. Students could audition for the orchestra or could choose between handbells, guitar, organ, piano, or orff instruments.

Elective classes were also offered and students were required to select one to take during the week. Among the choices were to audition for the performing handbell group or take a class in conducting, drama, male or female solo voice, musical signing, or music and computers. There was also an elective entitled “Understanding You,” which helped students to come to know and understand their individual personality and the different spiritual gifts God had blessed them with.

Not only did the students have the chance to improve their musical abilities, they also had the opportunity to grow spiritually during the week.

“This camp literally changes the lives of the students who participate,” said Kent Jackson, Youth I camp director and one of two consultants within the GBC’s Music & Worship Ministries team.

Jackson, who has been working with the camp since 2001, said knowing that some students will use this experience as a springboard for future careers in ministry is something in which everyone involved with the camp can be proud.

Students practice piano at the GBC’s Youth I Music Camp held June 19-23 on BPC’s main campus in Mount Vernon.

“Some have become pastors, church musicians, and even missionaries as a result of being a part of this camp every year,” said Jackson.

Some students will have the opportunity to see a more immediate result from participating; one that Jackson says is the most important component to every camp.

“It is very important that we take the time to present the Gospel message to the students during the week,” said Jackson. “We have had students come to salvation as a result which is very exciting for everyone involved.”

Jackson said the relationships among students that are started at the camp have played a major role in students returning every summer. He said he has seen students return to the camp every year for ten years – beginning as 4th graders and finishing at the end of their freshman year in college – because of the desire to maintain the relationships that were begun at a previous camp.

“Boys and girls come back every year because of the relationships that are built during the camp,” said Jackson. “The bond between the different students is quite strong. Once they come to one of our Youth Music Camps, they don’t want to miss another year.”

The Youth I Music Camp orchestra performs during the final worship concert in Gilder Recital Hall at the GBC’s Youth I Music Camp held June 19-23 on BPC’s main campus in Mount Vernon.

The Youth Music Camp began more than thirty years ago as the result of a vision of Dr. Paul McCommon, former Church Music Secretary of the Georgia Baptist Convention. It was Dr. McCommon’s wish to begin a summer music camp for youth of all ages to help them grow musically as well as spiritually. Over the years the camp has been held at various colleges as well as the Georgia Baptist Conference Centers in Toccoa and Norman Park.

This was Brewton-Parker’s first year hosting the Youth Music Camp, and the GBC staff was impressed with the facilities on campus and the hospitality shown to them by the BPC family.

“We express our gratitude to the staff of Brewton-Parker College for the way they received us and for all they’ve done to make the camp the best experience it could be,” said Jackson.

The Youth I Music Camp choir performs during the final worship concert in Gilder Recital Hall at the GBC’s Youth I Music Camp held June 19-23 on BPC’s main campus in Mount Vernon.

-BPC-