Whether you already love traditional choral music or want to learn, join the St. Andrew’s Summer Choir Camp this summer in beautiful Lake Almanor, CA.

Music for Choir Camp: The music for the choir camp will be posted here closer to event dates. Registered campers will be contacted when the music is ready.

Important: Campers are expected to come as practiced as possible, so that the work of pulling the choir together can go forward, rather than all the time and effort being spent on learning the parts.

Clergy Track: Clergy are encouraged to come and learn more about chanting and singing services.

Faculty

Andrew Dittman serves as choirmaster at The Chapel of the Cross in Dallas, Texas and its parochial school, the Saint Timothy School, where he, along with his wife, also directs the string orchestra program. He also finds himself teaching a myriad of other subjects, which vary from year to year, including math, physics, computer science, drama, and P.E. In addition, Andrew serves as artistic director for the Denton Bach Society, and frequently sings professionally as a soloist and chorister in Dallas’ professional choirs. He earned his M.M. in choral conducting from the University of North Texas as well as a B.A. in music and computer science. As a composer and arranger, Andrew has written several pieces which have been performed by various professional, church, and school ensembles. He resides in Richardson, Texas with his lovely, ever-patient wife, Ashley, and their four children, John, James, and Catherine, and Lucy.

Jeffrey Cooper is an organist, music teacher, and choir director in Chico, California, with degrees from Chico State University, the University of Notre Dame, and the University of Houston. He studied organ with David Rothe, Craig Cramer, and Robert Bates; harpsichord with Matthew Dirst; and conducting with Carmen-Helena Téllez and Betsy Cook Weber. His doctoral dissertation was notable in connecting a 1678 anonymous opera-ballet on the seven planets to similarly themed compositions of Buxtehude and early Bach. He has frequently performed with Houston's renowned Baroque ensemble Ars Lyrica.

Choral Summer Camp at St. Andrews, Lake Almanor

Father Brian Foos is the Vicar and Headmaster of St. Andrew’s Church & Academy and choirmaster of the St. Andrew’s Academy Choir. He has studied music, instrumental and vocal, since childhood; sang in his father’s church choir through high school; and sang in and directed various choirs and vocal groups through his university days where he studied music, earning degrees in English and Theology. He has traveled with choirs all over the US, as well as Italy, Germany, and England. He was director of the Anglican Way Institute Summer Conference Choir for four years, and enjoys chanting matins and evensong and singing the Eucharist on Sundays.

There's something for everyone at St. Andrew's Choir Camp—from clergy and music directors to children, teens and adults!

• Singing together!

• Hearing great music!

• Worship!

• Outdoor picnics and BBQ!

• Building lasting friendships!

• Swimming in beautiful Lake Almanor!

• Sailing!

• More Singing!

Why Choir Camp?

Ludwig van Beethoven once remarked, “Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy,” and indeed that greatest of revelations — our Lord Jesus Christ — was celebrated by music: the song of a young Maiden in praise of what God was accomplishing through her; the strains of the heavenly host over the fields of Bethlehem; a lullaby sung to a Divine Infant.

That music has echoed down through the centuries, from the eight-fold daily chorus of countless monks interceding for the whole of creation, to the sublime majesty of English Evensong.

The Church built a civilization through her music, and she will win back that civilization when she begins to sing again.

For one week, we immerse ourselves, young and old, men and women, in the full tradition of the Church as expressed through the daily prayer services of the Book of Common Prayer. Mornings begin with sung choral Matins, employing both Anglican chant and plainsong. The day continues with rehearsals and education sessions, exploring the role of theology in music, the technique and practice of Gregorian chant, and basic music theory. Recreation—boating, sailing, skiing, swimming, hiking—and some of the best food you’ll taste at any camp—fill out the schedule, and the days finish with choral Evensong.

During the week, the choristers prepare several pieces of Renaissance polyphony, in English and Latin, to be sung at the concluding weekend liturgies. Previous camps have featured William Byrd, Christopher Tye, Jacques Arcadelt, Orlando Gibbons, and Thomas Ford.

Some students arrive with little formal vocal training while some are seasoned choristers. Nevertheless, they all work hard, have plenty of fun, and are able to put together wonderful liturgies to share with the local community.

The St. Andrew’s Choir Camp is a unique opportunity for all ages and musical backgrounds to spend a week with the rhythms of Prayer Book life expressed through the greatest music of the Church. It is in many ways a spiritual retreat, in which prayer, song, education, and recreation are woven together. We hope that when the week is over, those who participated will return to their own communities renewed and encouraged, to spread what they have learned.

We look forward to singing with you!

Travel & Accomodations

Arrival: The closest major airport is Reno, NV, which is a two-hour drive from the school. In most cases, rides to and from the airport can be arranged. If you plan to fly in, please call or email to discuss arrival dates ahead of time with camp organizers.

Residential choristers are encouraged to arrive Sunday afternoon/evening (please plan on eating dinner on your own).

Departure: After lunch on Sunday following our final performance that morning.

Accommodations: Residential campers will be staying in St. Andrew's school lodgings and in local homes and have all meals provided, similar to our St. Andrew’s boarding students and college students during the school year. Day campers get lunch and dinner every day with the group.

What to Bring

Please note that the following material is mainly for our younger campers. Adults, please be advised and use discretion.

• Casual clothes for singing during the day (no short shorts or short skirts, please)

• Sturdy walking/hiking shoes.

• Dress clothes for services, including dress shoes.

• Modest, one-piece bathing suit for ladies, modest bathing shorts for gentlemen.

• Beach towel, water shoes or flip-flops, and toiletries including towel.

• Sweater or light jacket for early morning and late evenings, when it can be cool.

• Bug repellent, sunscreen, sunglasses.

• Cassock and Surplice (plus any other normal choir vestments you may use at your home Church) if you have them available.

Younger Choristers (i.e. minors): What Not to Bring

• Candy, gum.

• (phones are expected to be brought for travel purposes—and they are expected to be kept off and in your suitcase during the duration of camp.)

• Knives or weapons of any kind.

Sing • Worship • Pray

Note:

All campers under 18-years-old will need a signed Liability Release form on file in the School Office prior to attending this event. Parents of minors, please complete & send signed form to admin@standrewsalmanor.org as soon as possible.

St. Andrew's 2026 Summer Choir Camp - Afternoon of July of July 26th to August 2nd

Join Us In Beautiful Lake Almanor for a Week in July — Learn & Practice Singing!