Russellville students take part in acapella camp
Last year was the first for an acapella ensemble at Russellville High School. This year, the program is picking up steam.
Fourteen Golden Tigers are participating in an Acapella Camp at RHS, led by choir director Emily Rush. Acapella music is something Rush was active in as a child – something she thought her students would enjoy. “Maybe this is my hobby, and they just got sucked in,” Rush said. “It’s something I have a passion for.” But she can tell they’re enjoying it because of the time commitment they have put into it.
A number participants, like junior Elizabeth Pierce, crammed the acapella camp sessions into the band camp break last week – band camp in the morning, acapella camp in the afternoon, band camp in the evening. The schedule, though demanding, was that way by design. “I did that because I knew most of them would not be on vacation,” Rush explained.
Pierce said she enjoyed last year’s taste of acapella so much, she knew she wanted to be involved again this year. “The practices aren’t overwhelming and hard,” Pierce said. “It’s a fun group, and we have a fun teacher. It’s something really cool and different.”
The group has two songs pretty close to down pat but are working on a six-song set, plus five Christmas tunes.
Senior Destiny Cooper said she might prefer acapella to musical instrument accompaniment.
“You can experiment with it more. You can change it up, do more cool things, and there are a lot more options,” Cooper said. “You can be more free with it.”
Rush said her acapella ensemble will perform for RCS teachers at in-service, and she urged community members to consider inviting the small group to perform at local events to get a taste of what RCS fine arts programs have to offer. People who do are sure to find a group of talented and passionate students in Cooper, Pierce and their classmates, including Avery Guinn, a newcomer to the ensemble.
“I’ve had an interest in music for a really long time, since I was little,” said Avery Guinn, freshman, who sings bass. Guinn said Rush invited him to participate in the camp when he auditioned for the drama program. “Acapella is pretty new for me – I’ve never sung without an instrument before – but I like it.”
