8 decades later, EKU music camp still a summer destination

For the members of this brass quintet, rehearsal has become part of their summer routine, as it has for many music students who've sat in their places for the past 80 summers.

Young musicians, from incoming seventh-graders to incoming 12th-graders, have attended the Stephen Collins Foster Music Camps at Eastern Kentucky University since it was founded by James E. Van Peursem in 1936.

For all those years — the Foster camp is the second oldest music camp in the United States, the oldest being Interlochen Music Camp in Interlochen, Mich. — students have worked alongside professionals to improve their instrumental performances.

Each day, students work with a professional; attend band rehearsals or sectionals; play with the brass or woodwind choir, the brass or woodwind quintet, or the jazz band; and have recreation time.

The camp features many different areas for musicians to focus on: strings, world percussion, piano, vocal and band.

Not only has it doubled in size — going from almost 300 students to more than 600 — but it has added more programs such as classes in music technology, and an additional band and more small ensembles.