St. John the Baptist, Allentown, will hold a three-day sacred music camp for young people in grades three to 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 14-16 in the church at 1282 Yardville-Allentown Road.
Designed for students who are new to, or experienced in, singing Gregorian chant, the workshop will feature instruction on chant notation, vocal technique and musicianship.
Instructors will include Peter Carter, director of sacred music in the Allentown parish; Lauren Walters, the parish’s coordinator of religious education; Dr. Jennifer Donelson, director of sacred music in St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, N.Y., and Michael Garrepy, director of sacred music in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Bristol, R.I.
The choral camp is a response to one conducted in St. Mary Parish, Colts Neck, last summer by Carter and Walters, herself a music director for more than a decade. The attendees will be divided into three age groups for instruction, and each of the four presenters has his or her own musical specialty to share.
By learning chant, “we can pass on our Catholic heritage, inspire the next generation to get involved in music, and sing to the Lord unashamed,” Walters said. “This will give the children the building blocks to music.”
All are invited to a closing Mass to be celebrated in the Extraordinary Form at 7 p.m. Aug. 16 with the students serving as the music ministry.
The fee is $40 for one child, $70 for two children, $90 for three or $100 for four or more children. Register online at www.StJohnRomanCatholic.org, or call the parish office at 609-259-3391 for more information.