Chamber Singers, Jazz Singers, Bel Canto and Wolverine Chorus gathered for the annual choir retreat at Camp Ramah Retreat Center in Ojai on Jan. 9-10. Singers participated in rehearsals as well as fun group activities such as morning-singing hike, charades and group photos with sweatshirts representing each choral ensemble.
Upper School Choir Director Zanaida Robles said choir retreats give students a shared enjoyment in the art they produce.
“When retreats are successful, students come together with a sense of common purpose,” Robles said. “They respect the art and respect each other as artists. They also tend to be more focused when they come to class.”
Chamber Singer Section Leader Brando Bowse ’26 said that because recent choir retreats have been less immersive, this retreat marked a new shift that allowed singers to connect more deeply with one another.
“Choir retreats have been on hold,” Bowse said. “When I arrived as a sophomore, instead of going to a campsite, students stayed overnight at a bass section member’s house. Because that setting was unfamiliar to many choir students, the importance of the retreat was giving singers the opportunity to get to know one another not just as choralists, but as people.
Robles said the retreat’s main music goal was to continue working on previous ensemble pieces while beginning a new one.
“We refined some repertoire that each ensemble has been working on,” Robles said. “[The retreat allowed us] to start a new piece called the ‘Requiem’ by Gabriel Fauré.”
Upper School Counselor Michelle Bracken, who chaperoned the choir retreat, said the choir retreat fostered a warm atmosphere free from academic stress and social pressure.
“Retreats are an opportunity for students to get to know each other outside of school and the choir room,” Bracken said. “Being away from home and spending time with classmates allows for connection and conversations without the pressure of social rules or having to focus on school.”
Chamber Singer and Jazz Singer Eric Kim ’28 said he saw the choir retreat as a chance to deepen bonds across the ensemble, which is crucial for creating a cohesive and expressive performance.
“I was looking forward to bonding closer with everyone in my choir section, and even those outside of my section on this retreat,” Kim said. “It is essential to form true bonds and connections with your choir members in order to perform naturally and effectively.”
