Music at Maple Mount Camp Reunion to be Held at Mount Saint Joseph This Summer
In 1975, the very first Greater Owensboro Music Camp, later known as Music at Maple Mount was held at Mount Saint Joseph. Founded by beloved local educators, James D. White and Julie Ann White.
Each summer after that until 2006, the former school, retreat center, and Motherhouse for the Ursuline Sisters welcomed students from ages 11 to 22 to explore their creativity and the beauty of the mount. It was a chance to grow as musicians, gain confidence, make friends, and learn about ourselves. Some students would stay the night in the retreat center that was deconstructed a few years ago.
Others would commute to the campus each day for the workshops and lessons with other young musicians and guest instructors. Either way, lifelong friendships blossomed from the experience along with each camper's talent and love for music.
I was one of those who made the drive with one of my musical mentors, Mark Slaughter. He led the camp choir in the later years of the camp when I was in high school. I remember meeting so many amazing people from all walks of life and learning not only from our teachers, but each other. We took our classes very seriously, but we still had a blast. If those retreat center walls could talk...oh my!
It was a chance to grow as musicians, gain confidence, make friends, and learn about ourselves. Maple Mount alumni have gone on to become music teachers, music therapists, professional musicians, and even Grammy Award winners. Shout out to former Maple Mount camper, Kevin Olusola!
Campers who did not pursue careers in music still love to play and sing just for fun. We produce community musicals, fill sanctuaries with song, accompany weddings, perform at events, and share the joy of music with our communities all over the world.
My friend, Dan Heckel, is the director of Mission Advancement and Communications for the Ursuline Sisters. He told me that 2024 marks 50 years since the first music camp and the reunion will also accompany events commemorating 150 years since the Ursuline Sisters arrived in Maple Mount in 1874.
In planning celebrations, he knew Maple Mount campers had to be included. "I reached out to Jim and Julie White, expecting them to tell me such a reunion was a pipe dream. Instead, they very enthusiastically agreed to make it happen! The Whites, along with Karen Higdon, continue to work with us to finalize the details."
Over the years, former Music at Maple Mount folks have kept in touch thanks to social media, and now the time has come for us all to be reunited! June 7-9, 2024, will be a weekend of celebrating and making music together again.
The reunion will begin Friday night with a meet and greet social downtown at Lure during Friday After 5. Saturday will be spent catching up and enjoying The Mount again, and festivities will conclude in true Maple Mount form with a concert. Registration is now open through May 24th and you can sign up online here. If you have questions about registering, contact Dan Heckel at dan.heckel@maplemount.org, or 270-229-2007.
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Gallery Credit: Stacker