Announcing.....

...the newest member of the Land of Lakes Choirboys Nordic Choir -- Isaac!!! We spent the past week at choir camp near Lake Mille Lacs. Mark and Grant both attended as junior counselors and I returned for my 3rd year in the kitchen. This was Isaac's 2nd year as a camper. He was apprehensive about the whole camping experience, and about his chances of moving up within the choir ranks. He wants to, and yet -- he doesn't. He wants to because it is both an honor and a sign of his progress as a singer, but at the same time, moving up means going away on tour, which scares him more than a little. His 3 best choir buddies also moved up, so that helps -- they can stay together and support each other. I keep reminding him that he has 10 months of learning, growing, and maturing before he goes on tour, as well as reminding him that the choir is like another family for him. I think that by tour time next June he will have his fears under control. At least I HOPE he will!










Pictures from camp:

Here is Isaac sitting on his bunk in his cabin.













A "Nordic Choir" rehearsal on the first day. The boys did not know at this point who was actually moving into the Nordic Choir and who would be in the newest Land Of Lakes Choirboys choir -- the Voyager Choir (a step between Resident choir and Nordic Choir).











Grant demonstrating good form on the archery range.



















Mark taking Isaac and a friend out on the paddleboat.














Leah shows how to make toast for 110 people in 10 minutes -- slap that butter on!














Another waterfront activity -- sailing!














Yellow sunset.
















Pink sunset.



















The raft was always crowded. The boys favorite water activity has always been throwing the counselor off the raft. The campers usually outnumber the counselor on the raft by at least 20 to 1. The poor counselors don't stand a chance!











One of Isaac's favorite hangouts was the craft cabin.














Here is Isaac at another rehersal later in the week. A returning Nordic Choir member and officer told Aaron (the director) that "Isaac would make an excellent addition to the Nordic Choir. He is always sitting up and paying attention, and he doesn't talk much during rehearsal."












An exercise in trust and teamwork.













Will the circle be unbroken????
















Isaac (and PJ in the background -- Nordic Choir prefect and camp program director) celebrate a successful attempt!













Isaac on the beach. He liked playing in the sand better than playing in the water.


















Waiting nervously as names are announced for the Nordic Choir.














Isaac jumps up when his name is called!














Waiting to see who else is chosen.














Is it relief or terror? Perhaps a little of both. Relief at being chosen (along with his friends), terror at the thought of a three-week-long tour. (He later told me he is afraid that he will miss me too much while on tour).


















The new members of the Nordic Choir gather officially for the very first time.














The four friends who plan to stick together!













The first public performance of the 2008-09 Nordic Choir.













Isaac is in the middle of the front row (seen here sharing music with the boy on his right).















Video from camp:

A Nordic Choir rehearsal -- beginning to mold this group of new boys into a cohesive choir.


Presenting the 2008-09 Nordic Choir! Their first public performance at Timber Bay Camp, August 17, 2008.


The 2008-09 Viking Choir -- a bit of what 4 days of rehearsal with a group of well-trained boys can produce.