The School of Music faculty and staff are deeply invested in encouraging the musical development of all students, regardless of their major. Our faculty are active in their fields as performers, researchers, and master teachers, offering students the opportunity to learn from and work beside professionals who have performed on stages across the world. Our faculty work diligently to remain current in a world of ever-changing musical trends and to convey their knowledge and experience with methods of appropriate pedagogy.

The Department of Music Education recognizes the importance of a comprehensive education in the fields of music and education, as well as the general education core. The department is dedicated to the preparation of excellent music educators through research-based practice, including active, problem-based learning, field experiences in local school contexts, and reflective practice at all levels.

A primary goal of the department is to foster within each future music educator a Christian worldview that will serve as a guide through the constant and rapid changes occurring in education as well as society in general. The exceptional faculty within the Music Education department is committed to mentoring the teacher candidates through this developmental process.

The Music Education discipline includes the general education core, the music core including applied study and ensembles, and professional coursework in both the School of Music and the College of Education. Students successfully completing the degree requirements will be recommended to the state of Tennessee for K-12 licensure.

Linda Thompson, Ph.D.

Each camper will choose one of the following five tracks:

The Music Lovers Track is open to vocalists and instrumentalists in piano, choir, chamber strings, and band. Participation on this track includes ensemble experience, classes in music theory and music history, specialized seminars, voice classes for the vocalists, and instrumental classes for the instrumentalists and a 30-minute private lesson.

The College Preparatory Track is available for vocalists and instrumentalists (wind, string, piano, and percussion) who are entering their junior year or beyond. Those on this track will receive 60 minutes of private lesson time, ensemble experience, classes in music theory and music history, and a college prep class in aural skills. An audition video with the applicant performing 2 pieces (each unedited) is required with the application for acceptance to this track (Camp registration serves as application) and must be received by June 1.

The Worship Leader Track is offered for those interested in leading worship. Participation in this track includes ensemble experience, classes in music theory and the aspects of worship, a “hands on” worship leading practicum, voice classes for the vocalists, and instrumental classes for the instrumentalists. The participants on this track will lead the camp in a worship service on Friday night.

The Piano Track is for high school pianists or incoming freshmen who have significant experience with private/group instruction and recital performance. Those on this track will take classes in music theory, music history, aural skills and special topics that relate specifically to the pianists. 60-minutes of private piano instruction is included. An audition video with the applicant performing 2 pieces (each unedited) is required for acceptance to this track. The deadline for Piano Track applications is May 15 and a video must be received by June 1. (Camp registration serves as application)

Singers in grades 9-12 are eligible to participate in the Lee University Honor Choir. There will be a Treble Choir, Tenor/Bass Choir, and combined Mixed Choir in an SATB selection.

Dates
Friday and Saturday, February 11-12, 2022.

How Are Students Selected?
Directors may use their own discretion to select students from their high school choral program.

Musical Preparation
Students should have the SATB selections thoroughly prepared. Music​ ​selections and rehearsal tracks will be sent to ​choral directors upon receipt of the application and registration fee.

What Is The Cost?
The early bird registration fee is $50 per a student, which increases to $55 per a student after Friday, January 21, 2022. The student fee includes registration, t-shirt to be worn during the concert, music, as well as lunch in the Deacon Jones Dining Hall on Friday and dinner on Friday night. Choral directors attend for free.

Do We Order Music?
Yes, Lee University will order the music and send the music selections promptly upon receipt of the application and registration fee.

Is There A Deadline For Registration?
In order to allow sufficient time to receive music and prepare the SATB pieces, online registration must be submitted and fees must be postmarked by Friday, January 21, 2022. Fees should be mailed to:

Lauren Buckner—Honor Choir
Lee University School of Music
PO Box 3450
Cleveland, TN 37320-3450

What Is The Honor Choir Attire?
For the performance on Saturday, February 12th, 4:00 p.m., all students must wear their Honor Chorus t-shirt, jeans (no holes), and closed toed shoes.

Dr. Cameron Weatherford serves as Assistant Professor of Choral Music at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee where he conducts the Ladies of Lee, Choral Union, and teaches courses in the undergraduate and graduate choral music curriculum. Prior to coming to Lee, he served as the Chair of the Division of Fine Arts and Director of Choral Activities at Louisiana College in Pineville, Louisiana. From 2012-2016, he served as Choral Director at Alexandria Senior High in Alexandria, Louisiana. Under his direction, the ensembles of Alexandria Senior High School received numerous recognitions and awards including Superior ratings at the District and State level and were featured in two Louisiana ACDA performances, tours throughout the southern United States, and a performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City. In March 2017, Dr. Weatherford won first place in the National ACDA Graduate Conducting Competition in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 2016, he was awarded the Outstanding Young Music Educator Award by the Louisiana Music Educators Association. He has conducted numerous honor choirs and has served as an adjudicator all over the country. He has been featured as a session presenter in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio state conferences including LMEA, MMEA, ACDA, and the Kettering National A Cappella Conference. He currently serves as the R&R Coordinator for Student Activities for Tennessee ACDA and has also served as the Co-Chair for the Women’s Division of Louisiana ACDA, the Co-Chair for the Women’s Honor Choir in District II, the Collegiate Repertoire R&R for Louisiana ACDA. He also served as the The Louisiana State Representative for AEA (A Cappella Educators Association) and is an active member of NAfME and ACDA on the state and national level. Dr. Weatherford holds a B.M. in Church Music from Louisiana College, a M.M. in Choral Conducting from The University of Southern Mississippi, and a DMA in Choral Conducting from the University of Kentucky. He lives in Cleveland, Tennessee with his wife Caroline and their three children, Hudson, Annie, and Scout.

Eliezer Yanson Jr. is professor of music and director of choral activities at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama where he conducts the A Cappella Choir, Chamber Singers, and Civic Chorale and teaches undergraduate and graduate music classes. Prior to his appointment to Jax State, Eliezer served on the music faculty at Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina. He earned a doctor of musical arts degree in choral conducting from the University of South Carolina, a master of music in church music (conducting) and a bachelor of music in piano performance from Bob Jones University. His main conducting mentors have been Larry Wyatt and Warren Cook. Eliezer has also worked and studied with André Thomas, Don Portnoy, Paul Vermel, Dian Tchobanov and Hilary Apfelstadt. An active adjudicator, conference speaker, and clinician, Eliezer has conducted choirs and clinics in the United States, Thailand, Bulgaria, and in his native Philippines. He is a two-time 3rd prize winner (2015 and 2023) of The American Prize in Conducting: College/University Chorus Division and has appeared in Carnegie Hall as conductor in 2015, 2018, and 2023. While passionate about conducting and teaching, Eliezer’s greatest role is being husband to Martha and father to Isabella and Andre.