Vocal Arts Camp
Information about VAC 2025 will be updated soon, stay tuned!
Registration is open to rising 9th graders through recent high school graduates.
Vocal Arts Camp
Vocal Arts Camp is a week-long camp that immerses 9th-12th grade students in the art of vocal music. Choral music, musical theatre, pop a cappella and solo music will be explored throughout the week. Faculty and staff will teach a variety of classes that include Musicianship Class, voice lessons and a special topics music seminar. Campers will spend the week rehearsing a variety of fun and challenging music that will be presented on the Saturday morning student showcase. No previous voice training is required, but choral and/or performance experience is highly recommended.
Campus Living
Get a taste of campus life as a Resident Camper, who sleeps overnight in the residence halls with a roommate, or as a Commuter Camper, who leaves campus at night and returns to VAC the following morning. Both options provide you access to all VAC activities and meals. Resident Campers will agree on a daily drop-off/pick-up plan with the Camp Director during check-in on the first day of camp. Campers and families are welcome to park on campus after registering their vehicle below. Campers are not permitted to drive during the camp. Keys may be collected by camp staff.
Vehicle registration link will be available in spring.
Courses
Voice Instruction: One-on-one voice lessons with one of our voice faculty. Campers will also work with faculty to prepare a group song for the final student showcase. Solo opportunities are available to all campers.
Musicianship Class: Develop sight reading skills to help learn music efficiently and accurately. Explore rhythmic, melodic and harmonic structures. Students will be placed into sections to according to skill level.
Music Seminars: various topics include poetry in music, vocal health, monologue preparation, audition preparation, etc.
Vocal Ensembles: Choir, Musical Theatre and Pop A Cappella
Musical Theatre Auditions
Once registration is closed in the spring, we will announce details about the musical theatre portion of our showcase. All solo parts and dialogue will be assigned before camp begins. If you wish to be considered for a small role, please complete this form. You will need a recent video recording (in the past two months) of a song from a musical, your performance resume and a short monologue.
Tuition
Resident Campers: $535, which includes tuition, room (double occupancy), accident insurance, most instructional materials and three meals a day.
Commuter Camper: $435, which includes tuition, accident insurance, most instructional materials and daily meals. However, many Commuter Campers choose to eat breakfast and/or dinner at home.
To reserve your spot at camp, a $135 nonrefundable deposit is required at registration. You may pay the full amount now if you will not apply for a scholarship. If you will apply for a scholarship, only pay the deposit now. All families with outstanding balances will be contacted in the spring to pay their remaining amount.
A $15 card transaction fee is applied to all payments made via credit/debit card. However, card payments are recommended if you are paying your full amount because they are the only method of payment eligible for a partial refund (minus $135) if you withdraw from camp (including unforeseen circumstances like injuries, illness, emergency, etc). Checks, WebChecks and cash payments are non-refundable.
No refunds will be given after May 9, 2025.
Scholarships
We have several talent and need-based scholarships available. Scholarship submission deadline is May 3, 2025. Complete this scholarship form to be considered. You will need the following to complete the form:
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A recent video recording (no more than two months old) of a song (can be musical theatre, classical, jazz, etc.). Performances of songs should be from memory and with accompaniment (live or prerecorded). You should record your video in the spirit of a live audition. You may record in a home, school, church, synagogue, recital hall, rehearsal room or voice studio with good natural acoustics with or without an audience. You should dress professionally, as you would for an audition. Your video must clearly show your face and most of your body from the knees upward. Your face forward, towards the camera.
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A letter of recommendation from a choir teacher, voice teacher or music professional.
Schedule
This is a tentative schedule and is subject to change.
1:30 to 2 p.m.
Check in at residence hall
2 to 3 p.m.
Move into dorm rooms
3 to 3:45 p.m.
Dorm rules and campus tour
4 to 5 p.m.
Voice assessments
On Sunday evening, campers will take a short assessment. Campers will do a quick sight-reading exercise and will sing “My Country tis of Thee” or “Amazing Grace” (music will be provided). This assessment is designed to help the faculty reach the needs of each individual camper.
On Sunday evening, campers will take a short assessment. Campers will do a quick sight-reading exercise and will sing “My Country tis of Thee” or “Amazing Grace” (music will be provided). This assessment is designed to help the faculty reach the needs of each individual camper.
5 to 6 p.m.
Rehearsal
6 to 6:30 p.m.
Pizza dinner
6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Rehearsal
7:30 p.m.
Ice cream social
10 p.m.
Be in residence hall
11 p.m.
Lights out
7:30 a.m.
Breakfast
8:30 to 10 a.m.
Choir rehearsal
10 to 12 p.m.
Musical Theatre rehearsal
12 to 1 p.m.
Lunch
1 to 2 p.m.
Special topics music seminar
2 to 3 p.m.
Musicianship Class I and III
Voice lessons / practice
Voice lessons / practice
3 to 4 p.m.
Musicianship Class II
Voice lessons / practice
Voice lessons / practice
4 to 5 p.m.
Group song rehearsals
5 to 6 p.m.
A Cappella rehearsal
6 to 7 p.m.
Dinner
7:30 p.m.
Evening activities
10 p.m.
Be in residence hall
11 p.m.
Lights out
7:30 a.m.
Breakfast
8:30 to 12 p.m.
Showcase rehearsal
12 to 1 p.m.
Lunch
1 to 3 p.m.
Showcase dress rehearsal
3 to 4 p.m.
Musicianship Class I and III
4 to 5 p.m.
Musicianship Class II
5 to 6 p.m.
Dinner
7 p.m.
Pool party
7:30 a.m.
Breakfast
8:30 a.m.
Check out of dorms
9:30 a.m.
Showcase warm-up
10 to 11 a.m.
Student Showcase
Faculty
All instruction is by Murray State music faculty and staff. Campers will learn the art of vocal music performance through music seminars, rehearsals, private lessons and more!
Contact Us
Dr. Maribeth Crawford
Camp Director
Jax Richardson
Camp Registrar
210 IT, MSU, Murray, KY 42071
Questions about registration, roommate requests, check-in day and other pre-camp matters should be emailed to Jax.