Incandescent, bright lights and countless rehearsals are essential to successful choir concert performances. But don’t forget about the money needed to run a successful program, too. Ethan Chessin, the choir director of Camas High School, received multiple grants from the Camas Educational Foundation (CEF) and Young Audiences of Oregon and Southwest Washington and used the money to team up his choirs with music-industry professionals.

In 2015, Mr. Chessin brought Luke Wyland into the choir room, the leader of alternative band AU. He gave all 155 choir students from the 2015-2016 school his work to performed throughout the year, as well as on a tour in Boise, Idaho.

On September 14, 2016, returning members of all Camas choirs performed at Portland State University to perform for people that did not have the privilege of seeing the first show on April 15, 2016. The April show sold out completely, hindering many parents from seeing the concert. The Portland Mercury reviewed the September show, and the link can be found here.

The first year of the Business of Music Program was widely successful and continues to widely impact choir students. This year Mr. Chessin plans on continuing the Business of Music program at Camas High School with new music professionals.

Chessin has not announced the professionals that students will work with this year, but these eclectic concerts are performed in the spring. The program includes musicians, concert planners, composers, recording studio managers, and anyone else that enables the music industry to thrive.

Camas High School choir students are ecstatic to accommodate more than 70 new choir students this year. Contact Mr. Chessin if you want to join one of the most talented choirs in the state.