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From July 14-18, Lenoir-Rhyne’s summer music camp welcomed more than 130 middle and high school students to campus for a week of music, mentorship and community. Now in its 12th year, the camp was originally founded by LR faculty members Chris Nigrelli DMA, professor of music, and Ted Neely, assistant director of bands, and has grown into a dynamic program drawing students from across North Carolina.

This year marked a new phase in the camp’s evolution, combining instrumental and vocal divisions into a single, integrated experience. The change allowed students who sing and play an instrument to participate in both areas without having to choose — a shift that enriched rehearsals and expanded opportunities for collaboration across the program.

“The camp has always been a special experience for students, but this year’s combined format added a new dimension,” said Kassandra Hutcheson, M.A., LR’s community music program coordinator and the camp’s lead administrator since 2024. “It’s such a meaningful experience for young musicians.”

Bringing performers together

This year, the camp hosted 101 instrumental students and 15 vocalists, with additional students participating in both areas. While many campers came from Catawba and surrounding counties, the program drew students from throughout the state.

“I’m glad to see the camp catering to our local community, but it’s also exciting to see students come together from so many cities and regions of the state,” Hutcheson said.

One feature that helps make the camp more accessible is its flexible registration policy — students can register right up until opening day. That spirit of inclusion has led to full instrumentation in the band, including rarer instruments like the bassoon.

“The camp is large enough to create robust ensembles, but it’s also small enough to offer personal attention,” Hutcheson said. “Many of the students had attended multiple camps this summer and said this was their best experience. They liked the individual attention they got at LR.”

 A day in camp life

A typical day of camp included full rehearsals with LR faculty and guest musicians, musicianship classes and small ensemble work. Many campers also signed up for additional private lessons during the week. Students took their meals in the Cromer Center dining hall — residential students eat all three meals on campus, while day students joined for lunch.

Musicianship classes, taught by LR music majors, gave campers the chance to explore music theory, technique and expression. Guest speakers also joined throughout the week. Among the most popular this year was Neil Underwood, who retired in 2024 as LR’s longtime director of bands.

“He talked with students about what it means to make music and why we do it,” Hutcheson said. “They were excited and inspired by what he had to say.”

Choir students, under the direction of Ryan Luhrs, Ph.D., associate professor of music, rehearsed in vocal ensembles and learned handbell performance, while instrumental students challenged themselves in smaller chamber groups. Rehearsals took place in venues across campus, adding variety and helping students grow comfortable in a collegiate environment.

After a full day of music, residential campers got a taste of student life with evening activities like movie night in Belk Centrum, a faculty performance and a group walk along the City Walk trail to enjoy ice cream from Carolina Crafted in downtown Hickory.

A grand finale and a sneak peek

The week concluded with three final performances on Friday—a middle school band concert, high school band concert and choir performance. One of the highlights was a medley of instrumentals from “The Greatest Showman,” directed by Tyler Stark, D.M.A., assistant professor of music and director of bands. Students who participated in both choir and band darted between Grace Chapel and P.E. Monroe Auditorium to take part in both programs.

“Playing in a musical ensemble together is a fast track to friendships,” Hutcheson said. “These students pull together all week to assemble a full performance on Friday — sometimes more than one performance.”

In addition to growing their musical skills, students left camp with a clearer view of college life and what it means to study music at LR.

“The music program here is meant to allow flexibility,” Hutcheson said. “Music majors have a lot of interplay and balance between instrumental and voice studies, depending on where they want to focus. Non-majors are encouraged to access the instruction and performance opportunities that work best for their goals.”

She added, “A music degree is more flexible than just teaching or performing — there are a lot of ways to work in music without performing, especially if you combine music with another major.”