THE FACULTY AND STAFF
Over the years the nucleus of the camp's music faculty has been the band directors from Martin Luther High School, Milwaukee Lutheran High School, and the Milwaukee Lutheran Elementary Band Program. The counseling/teaching staff--youthful, energetic, and musically experienced--has been formed from the ranks of Lutheran elementary and high school teachers, Lutheran college and university students preparing for the teaching ministry or a career as a professional musician, and talented Lutheran high school students. In addition, distinguished guest conductors who can offer expanded musical perspectives and can motivate campers to a higher level of performance are chosen to direct the camp band each summer. Since 1995 Dr. Donald Krubsack, band director at Orono High School in Long Lake, Minnesota, has skillfully led the camp band.
The goal of the faculty and staff is to give each camper a total musical, educational, social and spiritual experience and to provide a loving, family-like setting in which this experience can take place. Year after year, the Lord has blessed the camp's efforts to attain these goals, and with His guidance and help, Lutheran Band Camp will continue to carry on its unique ministry to young instrumental musicians for many years to come. Praise God!
THE BEGINNING
Lutheran Band Camp at Camp LuWiSoMo had its beginning during the school year of 1968-1969. The band directors from Milwaukee Lutheran High School, the newly opened Martin Luther High School and the recently established Milwaukee Lutheran Elementary Band Program saw a band camp as an activity to promote musical growth and performance enjoyment in their music students. At the same time the relatively young Camp LuWiSoMo was looking for ways in which the Lutherans of the South Wisconsin District could utilize the camp's facilities. Under the leadership of Michael Holtz, band director of Milwaukee Lutheran High School, and with the encouragement of Daniel Rieck, representative of Camp LuWiSoMo, plans moved forward. Consequently, Lutheran Band Camp became a reality during the week of August 17-23, 1969. David H. Krubsack, director of music at Martin Luther High School, served as the first Lutheran Band Camp conductor. Other faculty members included Michael Holtz and Lutheran elementary school band instructors Gary Lohmeyer and Delavan Schmidt. Thirty-six musicians from grades 5 to 10 enjoyed six days of band rehearsals and music classes, morning bible studies and evening devotions, and recreational activities and Christian fellowship. When all was said and done, faculty and students alike agreed that Lutheran Band Camp was a total success and definitely should be continued.
THE 1970's
During most of the 1970's the directors felt that two weeks of camp, one for elementary students and one for high school students, would best serve the campers at their musical experience level. Therefore, the elementary camp included students in grades 5-9, and the high school camp included students in grades 8-12. Devotional topics, band music, and recreational activities were tailored for each of the two age levels. The plan worked well. Each year the campers enjoyed a fulfilling, and exciting camp experience. During this time enrollment for the first week grew from 26 to 49, enrollment for the second week grew from 17 to 39.
By the end of the 70's high school students were having a more difficult time attending camp because of driver's education classes, summer jobs, and school athletic practices. At that time it seemed more practical to continue Lutheran Band Camp as a one-week activity involving students in grades 5-9. That plan was and continues to be a successful decision.
In 1979 and 1980 Lutheran Band Camp was moved to a different location. From 1981 to 1985 band camp was not offered.
1986 TO PRESENT
In 1986 Lutheran Band Camp at Camp LuWiSoMo was revived under the youthful and enthusiastic leadership of Kathryn Krubsack who had recently joined the faculty of the Milwaukee Lutheran Elementary Band Program. Camp curriculum and activities followed the effective and meaningful traditions of the earlier camps. Now, as then, Lutheran Band Camp continues to offer a one-week camp to students in grades 5-9. Bible studies and devotions, music theory classes and music appreciation classes, sectionals, ensembles, and full band rehearsals as well as recreational activities constitute the core of the program. From the initial 35 students in 1986, the camp's enrollment has steadily grown to the present 90 plus students a week. Lutheran Band Camp has become an important and valuable summer experience for instrumental music students.
