Every summer, hundreds of young musicians from all around the U.S. gather on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University to hone their skills at the nation’s second oldest music camp.
Many students attend the Stephen Collins Foster Music Camp throughout their middle school and high school years; others are following in the musical footsteps of their parents or grandparents. Both describe John Williams.
Now Williams, a junior euphonium player who’ll be attending his fourth Foster Camp this summer, wants his classmates at Jennings County High School in southeast Indiana to enjoy the same opportunity and help his school’s music program. He recently joined with the Jennings County Community Foundation to create a scholarship program with the hope of raising enough funds to support four band, four orchestra and four vocal scholarships. Those wishing to help can visit www.jenningsfoundation.net, click on “Make A Donation”, then “All Other Programs” and scroll down to “Foster Music Camp Scholarship Program.”
“Foster Camp has been very important to me,” Williams said. “It has helped me grow not only musically, but as an individual. I really enjoy meeting all the students from the other schools.”
For Williams, the Foster Camp roots run deep. His grandfather, two-time EKU graduate Tom Taylor, of North Vernon, Ind., is a former graduate assistant for bands at Eastern and one-time band director at Model Laboratory School on the Richmond campus. Taylor also served as the Foster Camp administrative assistant from 1972 to 74.
For more information about EKU’s Foster Camp, visit fostercamp.org or call the EKU Department of Music, 859-622-3266.
