AUGUST 10-17, 2024 – Clear skies and sunny, dry weather set the tone for the annual week of music-making and life-changing experiences in the beautiful Ramapo Mountains at Star Lake Camp. Students and staff traveled from around the territory—from Maine down to Puerto Rico and many places in between—along with international students from the UK, Chile, and Taiwan, all led by Territorial Music Secretary Derek Lance and Territorial Youth Secretaries Majors Antonio and Jennifer Rosamilia. The band rosters were stacked, guitars were tuned, and the newly added boys’ chorus could be heard through the trees, signifying that Star Lake Musicamp 2024 had begun.
Special guests Gavin and Stephanie Lamplough, along with their four daughters, brought their expertise in band and choral conducting all the way from Birmingham, England, where Gavin is the corps bandmaster, principal cornet of the International Staff Band, and Head of Music at a nearby private school. Stephanie serves as the Assistant Director of Music and Creative Arts for the UK and Ireland Territory, in addition to being a renowned freelance singer.
Rob Brown, the incredibly talented Eb tuba soloist from the Canadian Staff Band, brought excitement and foundational teaching to the Pequannock Band—SLMC’s up-and-coming, and hopefully future, Star Lake Banders. Rob dazzled students and staff with his technical solo playing during the welcome night and infused fresh energy into the camp all week!
The Eastern Territory is fortunate to have exceptional Divisional Music Directors who worked tirelessly throughout the year to emphasize not only the importance of musical ministry but also the necessity of leadership development. SLMC24 was privileged to have Drs. Nathan Miller and Jeff Barrington at the helm for the newly reintroduced leadership track, after several years’ absence from the schedule. This track reinforced the work of local leaders and DMDs while building up the next generation of music leaders.
Another year has passed since the much-loved Star Lake legend, Tom Scheibner, left us. However, the annual guest artist concert in his memory, generously supported by his wife, Charlene, was an absolute showstopper this year! Staff and students were treated to nearly two hours of some of the best jazz playing and musicianship the world has to offer, featuring world-famous trombonist Wycliffe Gordon and his band. One by one, musicians arrived at Star Lake Camp—a trumpet player here, a saxophonist there, followed by a bass player and finally a tuba player! Wycliffe and his band swung all night with well-known jazz standards, transporting listeners directly to Bourbon Street in New Orleans. The inclusion of “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” provided an entirely appropriate conclusion to this incredible night of music!
Star Lake Musicamp isn’t just flash and bang with major band work after major band work. Daily devotions start students and staff on the right foot each morning, led by Matt Hodgson from the Spiritual Life Development Department at THQ. Matt’s storytelling and ability to turn humorous moments into real depth and spiritual reflection are rare, resonating with all who listened each day and really bringing into focus the mission and purpose of this special camp.
There is so much that goes into Star Lake Musicamp: classes in brass, vocal, timbrels, worship band, music theory, and composition; meaningful times of devotion; moments of fellowship; and fun. The opportunity to hear and play musical masterpieces like RSA’s “The Holy War” and many other elements all contribute to glorifying and honoring the Master—the one who created the heavens and the earth and the one who gave us this beautiful gift of music—so that we may be changed, inspired, and challenged to go and preach salvation to the world using the very gifts we have been blessed with.
