Blue Lake’s Choir Program is designed to challenge students of all proficiency levels. Our highly regarded faculty provide a wide range of instructional and performance opportunities. Students explore repertoire from a variety of musical styles and historical periods and practice fundamental skills in sight singing, breath management, tone production, stage presence, diction, solo and ensemble singing, and basic musicianship. Choir majors receive five hours of intensive daily rehearsals, sectionals, and vocal technique classes.
Students can complete their instructional experience by choosing a Minor, allowing them to experience another area of interest while at camp. Students also have the opportunity to attend Summer Arts Festival performances, as well as participate in recreation, camp activities, and attend arts-focused educational events in the evening.
Vocalists will be grouped by ability in either the SATB Choir or one of two SSA(A) Choirs based upon a placement video submitted prior to arrival. Advanced students will also be placed in the Chamber Choir. Our vocal faculty will evaluate and place students based upon performance, tone quality, and vocal independence.
SATB Choir
A mixed choir of soprano, alto, tenor, and bass voices: Challenging repertoire, equivalent to the Intermediate level, will be studied and performed.
SSA(A) Choir
A choir of soprano and alto voices determined by placement scores: The repertoire studied and performed will be equivalent to the Intermediate and Advanced levels.
Chamber Choir
An advanced small ensemble of soprano, alto, tenor, and bass voices with the highest placement scores. Members of the chamber choir will also sing in the SATB Choir. Repertoire selected will challenge even the most experienced singer.
Blue Lake International
During the summer season, each choral student will have the opportunity to apply for the International Choir, which will next tour Europe during the summer of 2026, as part of Blue Lake’s International Exchange Program.
Special Events 2026
Session 3
Blue Lake’s Festival Chorus comes together for a special performance of Randall Thompson’s The Testament of Freedom with the Festival Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Steven Hankle on Saturday, August 1st at 7:30pm, at the historic William Stewart Memorial Music Shell. The Festival Chorus, under the leadership of Blue Lake Choir Department Chair Shirley Lemon, is open to supporters, alumni, faculty, and staff. For more information, visit Festival Chorus.
Choir Conductors 2026
Session 1:
Chamber Choir: Coty Raven Morris, Portland State University, Portland, OR
SATB Choir: Dr. Marques Jerrell Ruff, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR
SSA Choir: Dr. Kody Wallace, Livingstone College, Huntersville, SC
Session 2:
Chamber Choir: Dr. Amon Eady, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI
SATB Choir: Dr. Brandon Johnson, Eastern Michigan University, Saline, MI
SSA Choir: Sean Ivory, Forest Hills Public Schools, Grand Rapids, MI
Session 3:
Festival Chorus: Dr. Steven Hankle, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH
SATB & Chamber Choir: Thomas Blue, retired, Rochester High School, Rochester, MI
SSA Choir: Parks Payton, Lakeshore Middle School, Grand Haven, MI
Session 4:
SATB & Chamber Choir: TBA
SSA Choir: Erin Stier, West Ottawa Public Schools, Grand Rapids, MI
Shirley Lemon
Choir Department Chair
Shirley Lemon’s forty-six year teaching career began in West Branch, Michigan, and continues at Grand Rapids Community College. The majority of her career was spent in Grand Haven Area Public Schools. During her thirty-three tenure at GHAPS, her choirs earned superior ratings at all District and Choral Festivals.
The Grand Haven High School Choral Ensemble performed numerous times at the Michigan Music Conference and were chosen twenty-five times as one of the top ensembles in the state, enabling them to perform at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival. The Chamber Choir was chosen three times as the Outstanding Choir in Michigan.
Ms. Lemon conducted the Michigan School Vocal Music Association’s 7-8-9 Honors Choir in 1989, High School SSAA Honors Choir in 2003, and the High School SATB Honors Choir in 2015. She served MSMVA in every office including President. She served as Secretary to the American Choral Directors Association of Michigan. Ms. Lemon has presented sessions at MSMVA Summer Choral Directors Workshop, Michigan Music Conference, and ACDA Fall Conference.
Ms. Lemon was selected by the Grand Haven Community for Excellence in Service Award in 1990 and her MSMVA colleagues honored her as Vocal Music Teacher of the Year in 1995. The Michigan Music Educators Association honored her in 2014 with the Award of Merit.
Ms. Lemon has served on the faculty at Hope College, Western Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, and Grand Rapids Community College. She has conducted the High School SSAA Choir and the International Choir at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp where she currently serves as Department Chair of the Choir Program. She currently sings with the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus and serves as their President.
Ms. Lemon serves as a mentor for many teachers and is in constant demand as a clinician throughout the state.