Chorale Holds First Retreat at Camp Copass
Late in the summer as camps came to a close, members of the Liberty Christian Chorale met for their first retreat to practice, share, and bond at Camp Copass in Denton.
“We had plenty of activities planned, with time built in to get to know each other, encourage each other, and sing together,” said Ann Smith, Chorale director.
Chorale members also enjoyed a visit from special guest and singing cadet at Texas A&M, Ryan Erwin, a Liberty graduate.
He encouraged the group to honor God by loving each other, helping each other, and being real with each other.
To begin the retreat, students played a softball game – the sopranos and basses versus the altos and tenors.
After swimming, games, devotions, and snacks, it was “lights out” until practices the next morning. Upon rising, the leaders and officers met with Smith before warm-ups and sectionals. Everyone came together to sing before they adjourned.
Smith said she enjoyed getting to know her students better and vice versa. She added, “Choir is a corporate team sport. We need to know who is in our section, because if we need help with music or another problem, we will know names and feel comfortable to ask for help.
“A singer has a great physical role to play in choir. It can be exhausting to sing, including standing, breathing, and the mental discipline of being focused. Singers are instruments like a clarinet or oboe or trumpet, and they must have constant and managed breath support, as well as technical reading ability.”
Smith learned from the retreat that her students really want to make a difference at Liberty and be a light.
Student participants agreed that this retreat was a meaningful one.
“This retreat was a great way to start off our year,” said senior Gabby Marye.
Senior Ben Lytle added, “It was a wonderful opportunity to meet the new choir members, and come together with a common goal of serving Jesus.”
“I definitely want to do this again,” said sophomore Hannah Johnson.