(WICHITA, Kan.) — Thirty-one students from Wichita and local area schools are taking part in Wichita State University's summer Kodaly choir camp this year. Elaine Quilichini, the conductor, says the program is focused to teach kids the technical, emotional and physical aspects of singing.
"Here their focus is choir, they come here to sing, everything is to help them sing," says Quilichini. "The counselors are there to hep them get enough rest and to make sure they get the right food because they learn a singer is like an athlete."
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The students learn vocal technique, music theory and sight singing. They also perform classical pieces that are not frequently taught in high school choirs.
Melissa Olson, a junior at Sedgwick High School, says the camp is helping her follow her dreams of being a professional singer and is preparing her to study music in college.
"I just feel at home and really welcomed," says Olson. "It's like where I belong. I know I'm doing the right thing."
Allison Davis, a junior who has attended the camp for seven years says, she likes the friends she makes at the camp and that it makes her feel good.
"It's so much fun and if you really like singing, it's always a fun experience to have, even for a week," says Davis. "It's life changing."
You can hear the students sing tonight at Wiedmann Recital Hall on the Wichita State campus. The event will be hosted by KWCH's Mark Larson and begins at 5:30 p.m.
