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BPC hosts 2007 GBC Youth I, Youth II Music Camps

Reed Benson, music minister of First Baptist Church of Stockbridge, teaches a music theory class in Brewton-Parker College’s Briscoe Center on the Mount Vernon campus June 12 during the Georgia Baptist Convention’s Music Camp for Youth I and Youth II.

By Kelley M. Arnold

Director of News and Public Information

MOUNT VERNON – Brewton-Parker College (BPC) in Mount Vernon was again the host of two of the Georgia Baptist Convention’s (GBC) summer youth music camps June 10-16. 2007 marks the second year the GBC’s Music & Worship Ministries division has held the summer music enrichment camps on the Baptist college’s campus.

Young instrumental musicians could be seen walking around BPC’s campus with their instruments during the GBC’s Youth Music Camp June 10-16. This year was the first time an independent instrumental performance track has been implemented at the camp. Previously, instrumental instruction only supplemented the choral track.

“Last year, those who attended camp became an all-state group who performed and traveled together to Washington, D.C.,” said Hildegard Stanley, Dean of Girls at the camp and part-time Consultant to the President for External Relations at Brewton-Parker College. Stanley is also the former chair of the college’s Division of Music.

More than 200 young musicians from around the state joined the camp, which was divided into two age groups: Youth I and Youth II. Youth I was for those students who completed seventh or eighth grade, while Youth II was made up of high school students and those who have completed their freshman year of college.

This year was the first to offer a learning and performance track just for instrumentalists. Previously, the camp only offered an instrumental class as an elective session, with choral taking the main focus.

“As a result of all-state, we have orchestra. Strings,” said Stanley with notable enthusiasm. “We also have praise team, handbells, and a jazz band.”

This year marks Stanley’s 41st year of participating in the GBC Music Camps.

In addition to attending classes on music theory and either choral practices or instrumental practices, students attended chapel each day and were housed on the campus’ residential facilities.      

Youth II Choir (high school students to college freshman) practice in BPC’s Saliba Chapel June 14. (Photos by Kelley M. Arnold)

“The Georgia Baptist Youth Music Camps held at Brewton-Parker College were a wonderful experience for all involved. Many positive comments were made about the facilities and the friendly and helpful people who assisted in many ways,” said Dr. Glenn Eernisse, chair of the college’s Division of Music. “This is a great example of two sides of the Georgia Baptist family working together for the benefit of young people from across the state.”

Through the years, Brewton-Parker College staff and faculty have not only assisted with the weeklong camp, they are an integral part of the camp’s framework. This year, Dr. Eernisse oversaw the planning of the new instrumentalist track and directed the Youth II orchestra. Music professor Dr. Armenio Suzano, a world-renowned musician, taught the brass instrumentalists. Other BPC personnel assisting and/or teaching at the camps were Dr. Ben Caston, assistant professor of music, choral director for Youth I; Brandon Herrington, Music Division staff, percussionist instructor; and, Jennifer Blaylock, Music Division secretary, coordinator/liaison.